New exciting cruises are coming up this summer and archipelago tours in Stockholm from May. In addition, several companies report that travel bookings are now increasing, not least among the elderly and vaccinated. It's time for this week's travel news!
Table of contents
Double the demand for travel among vaccinees
In recent weeks, travel bookings have risen sharply, with the biggest increase in groups that have received their first dose of vaccine. Since Easter, bookings have increased by 82 per cent overall, but among customers aged 60 or older, bookings have more than doubled, according to statistics from the travel agency Ticket. The most booked destinations via Ticket in April 2021:
- Gran Canaria, Spain
- Majorca, Spain
- Phuket, Thailand
- Rhodes, Greece
- Malaga, Spain
Bookings are now increasing among the over 70s
TUI also reports increased travel bookings among the older population. "We see a clear vaccine effect. The group that has now received its first injection is the group that is increasing the most in bookings right now," says Adam Györki, communications manager at TUI. For the May-September summer season, bookings have increased by 97 per cent for the 70-plus age category compared to February. Top 5 destinations this summer according to TUI:
- Crete, Greece
- Rhodes, Greece
- Cyprus
- Mallorca, Spain
- Gran Canaria, Spain
Tallink Silja launches summer cruises to Österlen and Gotland
Tallink Silja releases the summer cruises and at the same time launches this year's news: Ystad and Visby in combination. "Österlen and Gotland - two of Sweden's most beloved summer destinations - are a hard-to-beat combination", says Ats Joorits, CEO of Tallink Silja. The following summer cruises are arranged:
- Visby - two nights on board, one day in Visby (9 cruises)
- Visby - two nights on board, two days in Visby (2 cruises)
- Ystad and Visby - three nights on board, one day in Ystad and one in Visby (2 cruises)
Stromma starts archipelago tours in Stockholm again
Stromma now starts with archipelago tours in Stockholm again. Starting in May, the archipelago tours start again and the classic boats start running both day and evening tours. Trips will be made to Sandhamn and Möja, Artipelag, Birka, etc, Drottningholm, Fjäderholmarna and Gustavsberg. It also organises lunch, brunch and dinner cruises and shrimp feasts.
More pensioners travelled with SJ in March and April
Pensioners are now increasing their travel with SJ, which may be a sign that the vaccinations have started to lead to a change in behaviour for those who are vaccinated, writes SJ in a press release. A full 94 per cent of pensioners' ticket purchases between February and April were made in digital channels (sj.se, SJ's app or vending machine). Only the group of young people aged 16-19 use digital channels more to buy tickets, 96 per cent. In this respect, pensioners are more digital than the large group of adults aged 26-64.
New flight route from Ronneby and Kalmar to Frankfurt
Air Dolomiti, the Italian airline of the Lufthansa Group, will start operations in the Swedish market this autumn, with several routes from Frankfurt to the UK. Ronneby and further to squid on the south-eastern coast of Sweden. Air Dolomiti will operate its new multi-leg route linking Frankfurt Am Main Airport in Germany with Ronneby Airport and Kalmar Airport in Sweden with a timetable adapted to accommodate both business and leisure travellers.
Reflection of the week
This week, many press releases talk about the 'vaccination effect' and that more people are daring to book trips. This is certainly true, but on the other hand, "doubling" does not necessarily involve such large volumes. We still believe that many people are focusing on Sweden for the summer.
Did you miss the last travel news? Read the Austria opens, Elmia defections and this year's Göta Canal trends
Eva Bärring says:
Agree with you - also think many will choose to holiday in Sweden this year. I would like to drive in Europe this summer but that will have to wait. I will instead take an early holiday and take a drive in our beautiful country. Hope we get a nice summer😎.
//Eva Bärring
10 May 2021 - 11:56
Helena says:
Interesting to hear! We think a bit the same way. It will be Sweden this spring and summer. Maybe we will go to Europe in the autumn, it depends on the situation. We hope for a nice Swedish summer 🙂
11 May 2021 - 11:48
BP says:
The vaccine effect is not exactly unexpected, and the sharp increase in bookings is due to the fact that travel was down to about zero. But every booking is a step forward for a bleeding travel industry.
Frankfurt - it was a surprise! For business travellers I understand the destination, but as for leisure travellers - nope!
I also think that most people are betting on Sweden again this year.
10 May 2021 - 18:48
Helena says:
Yes, exactly. If you are down to low numbers, the percentage increase is large 😉 But of course it is a step forward for the travel industry!
11 May 2021 - 11:49
Liniz+Travel says:
Good news and tips b
Have a nice trip,
Hugs
10 May 2021 - 19:12
Helena says:
I'm glad it's appreciated! And thank you! 🙂
11 May 2021 - 11:50