Camping is hot among Swedes right now, and at the same time, bookings for trips abroad are increasing after the Ministry of Foreign Affairs released the advisory to a number of countries. It's time for this week's travel news.
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Great interest among Swedes to go camping this summer
Sweden's largest camping chain, First Camp, sees a strong development in terms of bookings for July and August. After a spring characterised by uncertainty, sales have picked up in the last month and currently bookings are only about 5-10 percent below the corresponding level in 2019. Interest among Swedes in camping is increasing more and more and even dealers of caravans and motorhomes testify to a strong development. The number of newly registered caravans is up 7 per cent so far this year compared to 2019, according to recent figures from the Swedish Caravan Industry Association.
Sharp increase in travel bookings after the cancellation of the MFA warning
On 18 June, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the lifting of the advisory for non-essential travel to 10 countries from 30 June. This resulted in a fivefold increase in searches and a doubling of bookings to Spain, Greece, Croatia, Italy, France and Portugal, according to statistics from the travel agency Ticket.
"This year there is more than usual to keep track of when booking a summer holiday. In addition to the UD's recommendations, you also want to know which destinations let Swedes in without a medical examination or quarantine that can put a damper on the holiday, and also whether there are rules about face masks on the plane or at the airport, so it is important to check with your travel agency or airline before booking," says Michael Kapil, marketing manager at Ticket.
Swedish nature tourism at the top of the list for foreign travellers
Sweden in 2nd place, only beaten by Norway, when potential visitors spontaneously think of countries that offer sustainable nature experiences. This is according to a target group survey commissioned by Visit Sweden in the main visitor markets of Germany, France, the UK and the US. Second place is an improvement from fourth place in 2018.
Birka Cruises stops cruising
After 49 years on the Baltic Sea, Birka Cruises is ceasing operations in the wake of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. Since 1971, Birka Cruises has cruised on the Baltic Sea and challenged the industry with news such as ski cruises and trips to, for example, the High Coast and the Arctic Circle. In the last decade, the company has been named Sweden's Best Shipping Company nine times. Due to Covid-19, the company is now forced to close down its operations. All booked guests will be contacted personally and will receive a full refund of their trips in the near future.
New online programmes in hospitality
Swiss Education Group, in its collaboration with Royal Park Hospitality and Education Hub Sthlm, presents online courses starting on 1 August 2020 at Royal Park Stockholm. Here are created
opportunities and conditions for short-term laid-off, warned and unemployed people in the wake of the corona crisis to meet in order to promote
re-employment in the sector. Programmes include hospitality management, food & beverage, business and leadership.
Easy Jet returns to Arlanda Airport
British low-cost carrier easyJet is returning to Stockholm Arlanda Airport after a 3-month break, launching a new direct route to London Gatwick and resuming services to Berlin, Geneva and Milan in July.
Reflection of the week
Now that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has lifted the advisory to several countries, you can travel abroad, but it is important to be prepared that everything will not be as usual. For our part, we choose to wait a little longer before travelling outside Sweden.
Did you miss the last travel news? Read the Popularity of camping, summer cruises and SUP through Sweden
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Role o Carina says:
Yes boring with this Pandemic that makes the nice boat Birka close down!
We usually go with it, most recently in September last year and most recently now in January!
I hope this misery will end soon, but unfortunately it will take time.
Take care.....
06 July 2020 - 9:18
Helena says:
Birka seemed to be a nice cruise boat. Never travelled with them, but had just got the urge to try!
06 July 2020 - 12:16
Ann says:
Yes, even though I'm super keen to go travelling in Europe, I feel like I should take it easy before jumping in.
However, it will be very exciting to hear about people's experiences from those who have been travelling now in the beginning 🙂.
06 July 2020 - 9:19
Helena says:
Yes, it will be interesting! Of course we want to travel, but now we are prepared to wait, so it's not a big deal.
06 July 2020 - 12:17
Ama de casa says:
The increase in tourism is really noticeable in Torrevieja. Mainly on the car traffic and all the parked cars at home. For a while it was rather empty and desolate, when we left yesterday it almost looked like a normal July day. But it is not only foreign travellers who have come, there are many in Spain's inland who tour the coasts. We kind of do the opposite 🙂
06 July 2020 - 9:22
Helena says:
I hope that everything goes well now, as you open up more and more.
06 July 2020 - 12:18
Ruth in Virginia says:
Signs of the times:
I read the other week that caravan rentals in the United States
has gone up 1000% since April. Americans are not
welcome Europe because of the C-19. There are plenty of incredibly
nice destinations here at home...
06 July 2020 - 12:29
Helena says:
Yes, now you can discover everything a little closer!
06 July 2020 - 15:29
bmlarstravellingblog says:
It's everywhere that many people have booked camping this summer, but so far the country's campsites seem to be rather sparse. Maybe people are starting their holidays later and later in the summer?
Travelling abroad will probably have to be put on hold for a while, it feels like right now anyway.
06 July 2020 - 13:47
Helena says:
So, have you found it sparse? The ones we have visited recently have been almost completely full. Maybe it's different...
06 July 2020 - 15:30
Christian says:
Yes, very sad that Birka is forced to close down. Was also about to stay at home all summer until the weather completely changed ...
06 July 2020 - 14:59
Mr Nils-Åke Hansson says:
A lot will be different after the pandemic.
06 July 2020 - 16:02
Lena - good for the soul says:
But Birka! Oh how boring! Cosy cruises!
Hug Lena
07 July 2020 - 5:50