It is a bit sad to write travel news in these times, when almost everything is about recession, bankruptcy threats and layoffs. One small ray of hope is that the caravan and camping industry seems to be doing relatively well after all.
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97 per cent reduction in air traffic
In March, just over 1,317,000 passengers travelled via Swedavia's ten airports, a decrease of 60 per cent compared to the same month in 2019. The effects of the coronavirus pandemic had a significant impact, as airlines reduced their traffic in whole or in part. The decline accelerated during the month and has continued in April, with a reduction of about 97 per cent so far.
Tallink builds new eco-friendly ship
Tallink Grupp announces that it is now starting to build a new environmentally friendly LNG-fuelled vessel at Rauma Marine Construction's (RMC) shipyard in Rauma, Finland. The MyStar vessel will be able to use shore power with green electricity connection and a Smart Car Deck solution, developed in co-operation with Tallinn University of Technology. The vessel is planned to be launched in January 2022 and will operate on the Tallinn-Helsinki route.
Nordic Choice Hotels joins forces to protect women victims of violence
The coronavirus pandemic is hitting society hard, and women's rights organisations are reporting that violence is escalating and becoming more severe against women and children. Therefore, Nordic Choice Hotels is now starting a collaboration with the newly established Her House Foundation to provide safe emergency accommodation when the emergency shelters are full. Nordic Choice Hotels will offer accommodation in selected hotels and specialised apartments around Sweden.
Kolmården opens on a small scale
Kolmården wrote last week that it planned to open up parts of the zoo on 10 April. The park is not subject to the regulations for public gatherings, but states that it wants to open in a responsible manner. The zoo will therefore be open to a limited number of annual pass holders, who will need to book in advance online. Rides in Teddy's World and Marine World are closed, remote queueing is introduced and new cleaning procedures have been designed.
Interest in mobile housing continues to grow
Interest in caravans is greater than in many years and there is also a high demand for second-hand motorhomes, according to the Swedish Caravan Industry Association. The only "fly in the ointment" is the demand for new motorhomes, which is affected by high taxation. "It is not a virus that is the big problem for the industry, but the criticised vehicle tax", says Tomas Haglund, chairman of the Swedish Caravan Association, to Dagens Industri.
Reflection of the week
The travel industry is struggling now, but it seems that mobile accommodation and camping are doing relatively well. Nature and self-catering accommodation feels just right in these times.
Did you miss last week's news? Read the Safer train journeys, 'stay at home' and motorhome company expands
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A little more pink - Cornelia Tonéri says:
Yes, it is indeed a gloomy time. But I really must say that Nordic Choice is doing so much good in these times. So innovative in every way. Kudos to them for being able to see new things in these times.
And yes. We've also started thinking more about mobile accommodation. We have previously talked loosely about a caravan. Now the thoughts are starting to form more and more. We will see if we will be with a caravan in any case next year. Have a nice Boxing Day.
13 April 2020 - 9:01
Helena says:
Yes, it is positive when you see good and good initiatives in the middle of everything! And what fun that you are considering a caravan! Mobile accommodation is cosy 🙂
13 April 2020 - 9:46
Ama de casa says:
Maybe I shouldn't have thrown the tent away... 😉.
It's sad to see all the negative news, and many industries are struggling. How will this end?
13 April 2020 - 9:04
Helena says:
One wonders how it will end! There must be many companies that will be forced into bankruptcy.
13 April 2020 - 9:47
Jossus Travelpics says:
I was actually thinking about it a few days ago, that the camping and caravanning industry should be doing well.
We don't know what the situation will be like this summer, and with a caravan you can travel around and discover new places while keeping your distance from people.
I think it can be very full at the campsite in my city, have already started to come in motorhomes and caravans so there is probably the chance of a real great summer.
13 April 2020 - 11:27
Helena says:
"We believe that it will be easier to choose to holiday in your own motorhome or caravan compared to other types of travel this summer, so we think it will be popular. Then it depends on how the spread of infection looks then, but it is possible to keep a distance in a motorhome if you make sure to do so.
13 April 2020 - 16:33
Monet says:
As things stand, and according to many analysts, we should not expect any trips outside the country's borders even this summer, perhaps not even in the autumn. We will see. Now Sweden is on the other side, but even if travel is freely allowed here, you will hardly be able to get around with your own accommodation in Europe. The first thing that was closed down there were campsites. Partly because you can't be so many people in such a limited area, partly for infection reasons because you stand too close together, share hygiene areas, deal with sewage and fresh water, etc. And all restaurants, pools, outdoor playgrounds, associated beaches, etc. are closed. But not in Sweden? Despite recommendations not to travel at Easter, many campsites seem to be full. How do you see it - will Swedes still have this kind of freedom and will they experience any risk with it as they do in other countries? There, these kinds of facilities will definitely go under!
13 April 2020 - 16:26
Helena says:
Hi Monica! We do not believe that you will be able to travel abroad this summer. However, we think that there is a relatively large chance that you can travel a little more freely in Sweden this summer, and that is what we are talking about here, ie Swedes travelling with a motorhome or caravan in Sweden. We'll see what the spread of infection looks like this summer, but if you want, you can keep your social distance in a motorhome. You don't have to use communal washing facilities if you don't want to, but can use the toilet and shower in the motorhome and then empty it. The motorhomes must also be placed 3 (4?) metres apart from each other for fire protection purposes.
13 April 2020 - 16:41
BP says:
Good to have some positive news! I think our travelling habits will change a lot when this crisis is over. At least a year ahead, until we "forgot" corona. Many will probably holiday at home with a motorhome or caravan. Oh soooo happy Greta will be;-)
13 April 2020 - 18:12
Helena says:
Yes, I also think there will be a lot of changes. The world will not be the same. If it's good for the environment, it's at least something positive. Unfortunately, I think that many people will suffer from severe poverty, and that is tragic.
14 April 2020 - 18:27
I Monica says:
Sweden is such a large country with a tiny population, it cannot be compared with countries with a tiny area and a very large population in number. So in our country, you can stand for a week here and there without seeing a person and in addition there are as many lakes as possible to dive in and get a shower and hair wash on the purchase :-). Holiday homes are already more in demand, always have large plots that you can only dream of in other European countries. Yes there are opportunities, people will otherwise go crazy if they continue to sit in their incubator ,-) The EU apparently thinks that 70+ should sit there for another year, very unhealthy especially if alcohol intake increases and smoking and zero exercise, pure death, very dangerous life. Think it will work with domestic travel with reason, on the other hand, I think the pandemic continues for a whole year optimistically thought for all previous ones have ravaged for two years but we take one year at a time.
13 April 2020 - 19:15
Helena says:
You have a point here. Countries are different and have different conditions. It's certainly easier to spend time in nature and distance yourself here in Sweden than in countries where it's more crowded. We can be happy about that! We also believe that being cooped up for too long is detrimental to health, both physically and psychologically, so it's terrible if people are cooped up for too long.
14 April 2020 - 18:29