Tove Eliassen - Director of the Norwegian ODT in Paris: "Norway is a destination that I would describe as exotic".

What are the destination's strengths?
Tove Eliassen - Surprising as it may seem, Norway is a destination that I would describe as exotic. Apart from its cultural discoveries, it has an exceptional wilderness side... An accessible exoticism, just 2h20 from Paris.

Norway has a reputation for being very expensive...
T. E. - Yes and no. If you look at the estimates made by a very serious Norwegian organisation, Copenhagen is ahead of Oslo, and Paris is a close second. These are estimates for individual tourists. It's true that for business tourism, prices are a little higher because of the accompanying services - guides, drivers, entertainers, etc. - which are not included in the price. As we know, salaries are very high in our country, so they are passed on in these services. But this is hardly noticeable in the hotel or restaurant trade.

What do customers want?
T. E. - On average, these are three- to four-day trips to Oslo and Bergen, with outdoor activities. We also get quite a few requests for Tromso, in the north, for anything to do with the sea. From boat trips to short cruises and sea kayaking.

What's the best time of year?
T. E. - In fact, almost all the time. Except in the summer, which is not the right season for incentives, as it's the peak season for leisure tourism and hotels are often fully booked. Spring here is sublime... with all that green and snow on the mountains. It really is wonderful.

And then there's the Far North! Under snow at this time of year, with its very special atmosphere accentuated by the contrast between the snow and the coastal landscape; and fun activities like a king crab safari, dog sledding or dinner in a Same tent.