This week we can tell you about Celebrity Cruise's new ship with a moving glass veranda, and how terrorist attacks no longer affect our travelling habits so much. We also report on new SAS destinations and reveal which celebrities Swedes would most like to spend their holidays with.
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SAS flies to 6 new destinations
SAS continues to broaden and expand its offering to and from Scandinavia, including opening 27 new direct routes and launching flights to 6 new destinations in summer 2018. Verona, Sarajevo, Genoa, Toulon, Beirut and Örnsköldsvik. Some of the new direct routes are to Verona, Gazipasa (Turkey) and Birmingham. In addition, SAS is increasing the number of seats to Croatia, Portugal, Italy and Spain.
Cruise ship with movable glass veranda
In the summer of 2019, Celebrity Cruises offers cruises in Europe with five ships, including the newest Celebrity Edge. With Edge, the shipping company establishes a completely new ship class. One of the biggest news is "The Magic Carpet", a giant glass veranda that moves between decks 2 and 16. Celebrity Edge will offer 7-night cruises from Barcelona to Rome during the high season and visit two new destinations: Nauplion and Santa Margherita.
Swedes are travelling even more
Swedes' desire to travel abroad continues to increase, according to Ticket's major trend report Ticket Collection. According to a Sifo survey, almost every second Swede (43 per cent) is planning to go abroad this winter, which is an increase of 5 percentage points compared to last year's record winter.
Sun and warmth are the main attractions, with the most booked destinations being the Canary Islands and Thailand. Weekend travel is also hugely popular, with a 35% increase in autumn 2017. London and Amsterdam most booked, but also Paris, Prague and Lisbon.
Terrorist attacks have less impact on travel
Tickets Sifo survey from Resia shows that Swedish travellers are less and less affected by unrest in the world. In the latest survey, 30 per cent say that terrorist acts or threats affect their travel habits - the corresponding figure last year was 41 per cent.
This is also reflected in Ticket's booking statistics. Two years ago, a terrorist attack could result in a drop in bookings for several months, last year this had shrunk to a few weeks, while the attacks in 2017 had no noticeable effect on bookings at all.
Celebrities Swedes want to travel with
In a new survey, the online travel agency eBeach.se has asked Swedes which celebrity they would most like to travel to the sun with. The results show that Swedes not want to travel with Alexandra "Kissie" Nilsson, Alex Schulman and Sigge Eklund, Peter Jihde, Paulina "Paow" Danielsson or Annie Lööf. Here is the top list of celebrities that Swedes want to travel with:
- Mia Skäringer
- The Parnevik family
- Mikael Persbrandt
- Leif GW Persson
- Crown Princess Victoria
Increased interest in boutique hotels
According to Resia, Swedes are prioritising good accommodation, direct flights and better food when travelling, and the demand for so-called 'boutique hotels' is growing. The New York Times explains the phenomenon as "small, low-key hotels designed to appeal to a sophisticated, international clientele through subtlety".
"I think the description is very good and fits well with the boutique hotels I have stayed in around the world," says Lina Eklund, PR specialist at Resia. Swedes also want WiFi and to stay in the middle of the action, requirements that boutique hotels often fulfil.
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Lena - good for the soul says:
Yes, those boutique hotels seem so cosy. Have never stayed at any, but looked around at Bomans in Trosa. Crazy delicious! I want to stay there sometime.
Have a great start to the week!
Hug Lena
23 October 2017 - 6:19
Helena says:
I always think it sounds nice, but I've never stayed in one so I don't really know what it's all about... 😉.
23 October 2017 - 16:13
åsa in åsele says:
Maybe I'm weird 😉 but I'd rather not travel with those celebrities... if I had to, I'd choose Mikael Persbrandt.
I have never really understood on what basis the Swedes surveyed choose celebrities.
23 October 2017 - 7:27
Helena says:
So, I don't think I would want to spend the whole holiday with a celebrity ... but maybe one afternoon with the right person? 🙂
23 October 2017 - 16:16
Only British says:
But help! I don't want to travel with any of them either! GW would maybe work but definitely not on a sun holiday but on a hike in a big city, I would have chosen to travel with the couple Apelgren-Mannheimer or why not some chef who took you to fun places.
23 October 2017 - 7:37
Helena says:
GW on a sun holiday ... haha, well ... In general, it would be nicer to meet some (interesting!) celebrity in a café somewhere, perhaps?
23 October 2017 - 16:18
Renate's travels says:
Lots of new things to read here! Like that SAS has set up new routes to Beirut, among others. 😀
23 October 2017 - 10:31
Helena says:
Several interesting destinations indeed!
23 October 2017 - 16:18
Monet says:
For us - and many Scandinavians interested in Provence - the new SAS direct route Copenhagen-Toulon/Hyères is a goldmine! They already fly Stockholm-Nice but if you want to experience southern France's most interesting and beautiful - and unknown part - you should go here. Breathtaking natural scenery, Roman history, non-touristy villages and resorts on the Mediterranean and in the mountains. Plus the "real" production of rosé wine as it should be. I have previously advised you to come here - those who like beautiful beaches will also find an Eldorado here - not least on the Golden Islands of Porquerolles and Port Cros. If you want, I can convey contact with a good friend for charter sailing! Welcome!
23 October 2017 - 11:58
Helena says:
When you describe it like this, it really sounds like a great airline, Monet! 🙂 Certainly France has a lot to offer! It's a country we like, and we would love to come back on occasion!
23 October 2017 - 18:44
BP says:
There wasn't much that appealed to me here, I must say! Cruise ships are not my thing, and these stylish boutique hotels make me think of English accommodation in an 18th century castle.
Would not choose any of these celebrities either, would choose Jamie Oliver;-)
But Verona is a nice city - finally something positive from me;-)
23 October 2017 - 13:06
Helena says:
I've never stayed in boutique hotels... but couldn't they be quite different in style? Agree that Verona is a nice city 😉.
23 October 2017 - 16:19
Petra says:
Love to stay at boutique hotels!!! Gets a more homely feeling than the big hotels.
//petra
23 October 2017 - 13:47
Helena says:
We have never stayed in one, as far as I know? Will have to try! 😉
23 October 2017 - 16:20
Snows says:
Boutique hotels can be very nice but we ended up in one that was a bit too special for my taste. Just right can be the best 😉.
23 October 2017 - 14:16
Helena says:
Wow, in what way was it special? We have to try one, I think! In general, small hotels can be cosy, but how do you know for sure that it's a boutique hotel...?
23 October 2017 - 16:22
Ruth in Virginia says:
It never ceases to amaze me that Swedes have so much time.
AND money to spend on travelling. Know that Sweden has among
the most liberal holiday laws of any country in Europe (France
the exception perhaps), but I am surprised that the money is enough.
As usual, BP and I are in agreement when it comes to cruises,
Movable glass veranda!!!l Oh my goodness! Everyone should be first and worst. 🙂
And hotels - well, you don't usually spend much time in a room,
when you're on holiday, so regular mid-range hotels/motels have a lot of
been, where we slept. Nice bedspreads and lots of pillows that you can't sleep on! Bleh! Sophisticated -- 🙂
It's amazing how many new flight destinations there have been lately. Sounds great
to be able to fly directly to the less common tourist destinations.
Travelling with celebrities? Who thought of that, you might ask?
23 October 2017 - 15:04
Helena says:
Sure, it's a bit surprising, but it shows that people in Sweden generally have it very good. (Plus we like to travel.) And everyone who is employed has a minimum of five weeks of holiday (plus some red days when you are off for other reasons). I can agree that everyone should be the "biggest and baddest" ... And travelling with celebrities, well ... 😉.
23 October 2017 - 16:43
BP says:
I have known for a long time that I have an ally in Ruth:-) But you girl - Sweden is doing very well economically right now. We are at the top of the economy in Europe right now, and I think that's great. Considering our lousy climate, many people are travelling. In addition, it is actually quite "cheap" to travel to other countries from here - at least when you live in Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö, the big cities. If you live in Lycksele/Åsele/Haparanda, it becomes a completely different matter...
As for hotel rooms, we ALWAYS book apartment hotels. Because I don't want to have to get up at a certain time to have a hotel breakfast when I'm on holiday;-)
23 October 2017 - 23:30
Helena says:
You are absolutely right that the Swedish economy is doing well, BP. And it is also true that you can travel fairly cheaply (depending on where, when, from where, etc.). When it comes to breakfast, however, we are different 😉 I am a morning person and CANNOT sleep in the morning no matter how much I would like to 😉.
24 October 2017 - 5:57
Britt-Marie Lundgren says:
Today I feel like a whiner!
Cruise ships, no thanks!
Travelling with any of the people on the top or bottom list, no thanks!
Boutique hotels can certainly be cosy, but I'd rather spend money on experiences than cool accommodation so no thanks!
Certainly good with new airlines for some and that we are less affected by terrorist attacks and other things in our choice of destination than before I think is true.
23 October 2017 - 16:17
Helena says:
I do not think you are a "whiner" Britt-Marie! You really don't have to like everything, and you certainly don't have to think the same as "everyone else", fortunately 😉.
23 October 2017 - 18:46
Monet says:
Didn't my comment about the SAS destination to Toulon come through? Direct flights from Copenhagen and a huge boost for the whole of Provence. Read more on your mail!
23 October 2017 - 17:14
Helena says:
For some reason, your comment ended up in the "junk email". I don't understand why, but I usually check there about once a day, so if something ends up there, it will eventually be approved, albeit a little delayed... I will of course check the emails!
23 October 2017 - 18:47