Travel bookings to Asia in times of virus and electric flight strategy

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Are Swedes thinking differently about travelling to Asia now that the coronavirus is raging? Ticket has looked at this in its booking statistics. This week's news is also about Swedavia's new strategy for electric flights ... and about a lot of other things of course!

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Changes in travel bookings to Asia

Despite considerable media attention to the coronavirus in China, the number of travel bookings in January increased by 9 per cent compared to January 2019. In the first days of February, however, demand from China and neighbouring countries shifted to other destinations, according to new statistics from Ticket.

Bookings to Thailand fell by 22% and cancellations increased from 2% to 4%. Demand has instead increased for Mexico, Philippines, Langkawi in Malaysia and Bali in Indonesia and to destinations in the Mediterranean.

The winners of the Grand Travel Award 2020

Last week, the annual travel industry event 'Grand Travel Award' took place. During the event, awards are given in several different categories. Here are some of the winners. You can read more, and find all the award winners at Travel News.

• Ecotourism Award: Treehotels, Harads
• Sustainability Award: Clarion Hotel Sign
• Best individual hotel in Sweden: Haymarket in Stockholm
• Best shipping company: Birka Cruises
• Best cruise: Royal Caribbean International
• Domestic transport: SJ
• Best airlines in Europe: SAS
• Best intercontinental airlines: Qatar Airways
• Best tour operator: Ving
• Best specialist tour operator: Swanson's Travel

SJ coordinates discounts for accompanying children

On 18 February, the discount for accompanying children on InterCity trains and Snabbtåg will be coordinated. Accompanying children (up to and including 15 years) now have an 85 per cent discount on both InterCity trains and Snabbtåg. The price for children will be variable, just like for adults, and depends on how early the ticket is purchased and how much demand there is.

The new pricing for accompanying children applies to bookings made from 18 February onwards. Children and young people travelling alone continue to receive a 15% discount up to the age of 25.

Swedavia launches electric flight strategy

Swedavia has decided on a strategy for electric aviation with the goal that all of Swedavia's ten airports will be able to handle electric flights and that the first commercial electric flight line can be put into operation around 2025. At Åre Östersund Airport, a test arena for electric flights is planned to be put into operation in autumn 2020.

Plans are currently underway to provide parking spaces, charging infrastructure and electricity supply to the airport and to secure the necessary licences. The test flights of electric aircraft and drones will take place in the airspace between Åre Östersund and Röros Airport in Norway.

Romantic travel destinations for Valentine's Day 2020

On the occasion of Valentine's Day on 14 February, several press releases focused on travel and romance. Here is a summary:

• Most popular destinations on Valentine's Day according to Ticket: Bangkok, Gran Canaria, Phuket, Amsterdam, London, Paris, Tenerife, Istanbul, Krabi and Singapore. Lisbon.
• This is where Swedes want to go on a romantic holiday, according to an Emirates Sifo survey: Maldives, New Zealand, Seychelles, Mauritius and Australia.
• Five flirty destinations according to Momondo: Paris, Lofoten, Amsterdam, Venice and Prague.

How technology affects our travelling in 2020

A new decade is here and with it comes new trends and innovations in the travel industry. Amadeus has predicted this year's major technology trends in travel. Here are five trends:

1. Voice control is revolutionising the travel industry - Voice assistants are already available on mobile phones and are gaining momentum in the travel industry.
2. Super staircases increasingly popular - Apps that include multiple apps in one are growing stronger.
3. Virtual travelling is growing stronger - Virtual Reality (VR) will be used more for marketing.
4. Technology key to retaining loyal travellers - The travel industry will need to invest in technology.
5. Human contact remains important - Despite all the technological advances, customers prefer human contact.

Reflection of the week

It will be really exciting to follow the development of electric aviation. You wonder how fast it will go? What challenges will be faced along the way? Aircraft need to be developed in a more sustainable direction in some way.

Did you miss the last travel news? Read the Inflatable awnings and floating spa hotels

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