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New rules introduced to tackle in the Arctic include a mandatory distance between tourist ships and polar bears - but one expedition leader has condemned the measure as "conservation fascism". While it may not be a traditional beach holiday destination, is among the many European regions suffering from a recent rise in footfall, with a record-breaking 28.6 million people booking accommodation in the country last year.

Locals afraid for the safety of the polar bears on the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard have introduced new regulations as a result, requiring vessels to stay 500 metres away from the creatures, as of this year. Expedition cruises around the island are popular with visiting tourists hoping to get a glimpse of the protected carnivores in their natural habitat - but as the number of sightseers continues to grow, officials are worried the polar bears' habitats could be at risk. "Climate change is leading to more difficult conditions for polar bears on Svalbard," Andreas Bjelland Eriksen, minister of climate and environment, warned. "It is important for them to be able to search for food, hunt, rest, and take care of their cubs without interference from humans."

"Keeping a good distance will also ensure that dangerous situations do not arise and that polar bears do not get used to humans over time," he added.

The new law states that anyone in the vicinity of the island's polar bears "maintain a lawful distance", with ships required to stay 500 metres away until June 30, with a slightly reduced distance of 300 metres from July 1.

Offenders could be jailed for up to five years if "substantial environmental damage or a risk thereof has been caused".

However, expedition leader and photographer Paul Goldstein has described the measures as "conservation fascism", slamming the Norwegian authorities who introduced them as "clowns".

"I have led small ship charters in the region since 2004," Mr Goldstein told . "Never once have I seen a single incident where tourists intimidate or affect the behaviour of polar bears.

"Their motto's very simple: 'We're not happy till you're not happy.'"

Norway is also set to introduce a tourist tax from summer 2026, giving municipalities the authority to charge a 3% fee on cruise ship passengers and overnight stays.

The measure was designed to help fund strained services including the country's infrastructure, parking facilities and public toilets, and will only be approved once councils provide proof of the negative impact of overtourism on their area.