U.S. tourists not big spenders in Oslo

OSLO, Norway, July 26 (UPI) -- More tourists are coming to Oslo but they are spending less in the Norwegian capital, analysts say.

U.S. tourists, in particular, are no longer spending the way they used to, Aftenposten reports.

"For the first time since 1985 Americans are no longer the most free spending visitors," said Sissel Guleng, the market director for Global Refund Norge. "Both the Russians and the Germans are buying more. Since Americans have been so important to the to the tourist industry in Oslo, a decline of this kind could have big consequences."

John Olav Johnsen, manager of the Oslo Sweater Shop, said he has hired two Russian-speaking employees and is looking for items that appeal to Germans and Eastern Europeans -- and has stocked up on cheap souvenirs for U.S. visitors.

"When the Americans convert our prices to U.S. currency, they are shocked," he said. "Then they buy a key-ring instead of a knitted sweater."

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