These are tough times for tourism. Istria is still hoping for tourists and the big motorhome and caravan fair Caravan Salon is postponing rather than cancelling. Here is this week's travel news.
Tweet
Share
Share
Pin
Share
ShareTable of contents
Total collapse of world tourism
International tourism in the world has come to a virtual standstill. This could mean that in 2020, overall tourism will fall by up to 80 per cent, according to the UNWTO. The United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) presents different scenarios for the year, depending on when tourism opens up, and what the crisis may lead to:
- Loss of 850 million to 1.1 billion international tourists
- Loss of USD 910 billion to USD 1.2 trillion in export earnings from tourism
- 100 to 120 million direct tourism jobs at risk
Nine out of ten travel agencies on the verge of bankruptcy
Nine out of ten travel agencies in Sweden are on the verge of bankruptcy, according to their trade organisation SRF. This is according to SVT Nyheter. At the same time, around 600 dissatisfied customers have turned to the General Complaints Board (ARN) during the first months of the year to get their money back. The problem for travel agencies is that they are caught between their customers and suppliers. They have to reimburse their customers, while the suppliers do not reimburse them.
Hotels and campsites in Istria authorised to open
According to CroatiaWeek, hotels and campsites are authorised to open from today. This decision has been made by local tourism authorities at a conference. The decision is based on information from Croatia's National Agency for Civil Preparedness that the opening of Croatia's border with other countries is to be discussed.
Swedish hotels can recover faster than foreign ones
Swedish hotels can recover faster than foreign hotels when the corona pandemic subsides. This is according to Dagens Industri and refers to a report from the analysis company Annordia. The hotels are having a hard time right now, but more more Swedes than usual will holiday in Sweden, which may benefit Swedish hotels in the future. Sweden is largely a domestic hotel market; out of 28 European countries, only Germany and Romania have a larger share of domestic guest nights.
Caravan Salon postponed one week
Germany's ban on events with more than a thousand people remains in place until 31 August. For this reason, the major motorhome and caravan fair Caravan Salon in Düsseldorf is now postponed by one week. The fair will be held on 5 - 13 September 2020. This means that the fair will clash with Elmia Husvagn Husbil, which is scheduled for 9-13 September. Please note that plans may change if event guidelines change.
How Swedes grill in 2020
This year, most Swedes will be holidaying in Sweden, and perhaps the grill will be out even more often than usual? Here are some figures on Swedish grilling, from a press release by the food company Paulig. They in turn have taken figures from ICA's barbecue report.
- 81 % of Swedes like to barbecue
- Swedes grill on average 1.8 times per week during the summer.
- The average Swede owns 1.5 barbecues.
- 47 % of Swedes think that grilling makes them happier than other types of cooking.
- 50 % chooses to grill vegetables as main course
Reflection of the week
We understand that southern European countries depend on tourism for their economy. But we find it hard to understand how to get tourists to hotels and campsites in Croatia already?
Did you miss the last travel news? Read the No more domestic travel this summer? - and holidays for cuddly toys
You might also like:
5-star camping, new airlines and vaccination certificates
Cruise routes, island hopping and the world's largest outdoor bar
Camping records, last minute tickets and new quiet class on trains
Brand new cruise, hotel trends and tower games
Boat bus, reduced prices and where Swedes are travelling this Easter.
Where Swedes travel - and popular road trips
English (UK) 
Svenska 
Deutsch 
Suomi 
Polski
Ama de casa says:
At least now we can move around a bit more freely and, as far as I understand it, we can move around within our province, although you have to be careful not to end up in areas that are still in Phase 0. It's really not easy to understand the regulations... But it means that we can start tourism within the country. Still waiting, but I'm going to cross the 1 kilometre line at the "wrong" time today. 😀
Oddly enough, the slot times still apply to walking/exercise, but you can go whenever you want if you're going to an outdoor restaurant or visiting friends (max 10 together). I wonder what the people who came up with these rules had in mind before they decided... 😉.
Well, yes. The main thing is that it has eased off now.
11 May 2020 - 10:18
BP says:
Croatia/Istria takes a big risk there, I think. And honestly, I doubt that you risk travelling there anyway. In addition, there are no flights either. The tourism industry worldwide is a pure disaster right now, and it will take a long time before it recovers, I think.
11 May 2020 - 21:22