For Northern destinations, spring is a season of discontent

Springtime in the North offers a glimpse of what is at stake for communities if they fail to come to terms with mass tourism.

To get an idea of what Tromsø, Norway, might look like without tourism, visit on the first day of May. A public holiday during the depths of the off-season for visitors, the streets are desolate. The few stores that are open are mostly empty. Tour offices, each prominently displaying pictures of the Northern Lights, are closed for the season, which only adds to the run-down appearance.