Increased flight bookings, book on van life and "Camper's help"

Hope everyone had a great weekend! As usual, we start the week here at FREEDOMtravel with travel news. This week it is both about air travel and about vanlife. Travelling is starting to get serious again!

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Flight bookings continue to rise strongly: "New steps towards normality"

The recovery of air travel continues, according to new figures produced by the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce via IATA's Global Agency Pro system. In particular, international travel departing in August has seen dramatic increases in volume. Compared to 2020, international bookings in April increased by 799.4 per cent and for May the increase was 1795.1 per cent. However, it can be noted that the booking situation is still not back to normal levels.

Pensioners are now the ones who want to travel the most

Statistics from Flygresor.se clearly show the effect that vaccinations have had on the desire to travel. In the table you can compare the "normal" age distribution (midsummer week 2019) for those who apply for air travel, with this year's age distribution (midsummer week 2021). This is a big change especially for the 65+ age group, which is the most vaccinated age group.

Direct flights to Germany from Luleå and Kiruna

Eurowings, a member of the Lufthansa Group, is expanding in Sweden and establishing two new routes between Stuttgart and Swedavia's airports in Sweden. Luleå and Kiruna during the winter season 2021/2022. The regular direct routes will depart to and from Luleå on Wednesdays and Sundays and Kiruna on Saturdays. This means additional direct flights from Europe to Swedish Lapland. In recent years, Germans, second only to Norwegians, have been the destination Swedish Lapland's most international visitors in terms of guest nights.

New COVID-19 test centre at Malmö Airport

Swedavia has now signed an agreement with Scantest for the establishment of a test centre at the Malmö Airport. Scantest performs PCR and antigen tests at the airport and in case of a negative test a travel certificate signed by a specialist doctor is issued. The response time for PCR tests is 2-4 hours and for antigen tests 30-60 minutes. It is the traveller's responsibility to check with their airline what applies to the individual trip before taking the sample. 

New book on vanlife

Carl and Isabel Waite are founders of the Vanlife Sweden community and run the podcast of the same name. Now they have also published a book. We received a review copy and when we started to browse a little carefully, we immediately got caught up in various exciting stories. The book gives concrete tips for anyone who wants to live the vanlife, but also offers stories about different people and their experiences of vanlife. This is a well-written and inspiring book with great photos. You can find it at vanlifesverige.se and in shops selling books.

Volkswagen Transport Vehicles launches 'Camper's help'

We are heading for what could be the biggest camping summer ever. That's why Volkswagen Transportbilar is launching 'Camperhjälpen' on its website - a service where experienced campervan enthusiasts guide a new generation of beginners on the right path into the countryside. Niklas "Ripa" Ripnäs from Norrköping, owner of a classic VW T2, is one of seven Camper Helpers available to the new generation of campers from 28 June to 18 July.

New products for motorhome and caravan travellers in the FREEDOMtravel webshop

(Advertising for FREEDOMtravel's online store) There are now lots of new products with motorhome and caravan motifs in the FREEDOMtravel's online shop. You'll find everything from key rings and potholders to bedding sets and jaqard blankets. Right now prices are particularly good, with promotional prices on all motorhome and caravan-themed products, both new and old!

Reflection of the week

We know that van life and camping are hot, but now air travel is also increasing. It feels great that you can travel more again, but also a little fragile. Could there be a backlash to the pandemic now that many places are opening and people are less careful about keeping their distance?

Did you miss last week's travel news? Read the Dogs rule holidays - and dog-friendly road trips

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