Research results, Swedish events and exotic destinations

Monday means travel news here at FREEDOMtravel, even though we are in Germany. We are travelling relatively slowly, as we spend some days at the "office" (in the camper van), but have now managed to see both Hamburg and Bremen. More to come soon! But first, travel news!

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Record increase in Swedish guests at Swedish campsites in 2021

New statistics from Statistics Sweden / Tillväxtverket show that a record number of Swedish guests stayed at Sweden's campsites in 2021. In total, the number of guest nights amounted to 15.5 million, an increase of 21 per cent. The Swedish guest nights increased by 13 per cent to 13.8 million and international guests flocked to the end of the summer. In August and September, campsites had more guests from Germany and the Netherlands than in the same period before the pandemic. Distribution of accommodation on Swedish campsites:

• Caravan: 68 %
• Cottage: 14 %
• Motorhome: 13 %
• Tent: 5 %

How Swedes holidayed during the pandemic according to research report

More people visited family and friends and those who accepted the authorities' advice were more satisfied with their holidays than those who did not. These are some of the conclusions of a report in which John Magnus Roos, Associate Professor of Social Psychology at the University of Skövde, explored how Swedes' summer holidays changed as a result of the pandemic.

The report shows that personality played a role in how satisfied Swedes were with their holidays in 2020. High acceptance of the authorities' advice, little need to plan and not being particularly worried about COVID-19 were factors that had a positive impact. Interviews with people who stayed at home but who usually travel abroad show that foreign travel will resume.

Several new routes in this year's "Taste the Kattegat Trail".

Early summer is here and once again the Kattegatt Trail invites you to a rich variety of gastronomic cycling tours through Halland and Skåne. Cycle at a leisurely pace and pause to taste locally produced ingredients, prepared in the best possible way when small-scale food and drink producers open their doors. There are currently 16 different tours to choose from and more are being added all the time. Some tours are accompanied by a guide while others, such as Halmstad Smakrunda, allow you to get close to local suppliers on your own.

Many events around Sweden

Several of this week's press releases are about events taking place around Sweden in spring, summer and autumn 2022. Here is a selection:

• 13-22 May: Elin Wägner Week in the Culture Park in Växjö.
• 16-18 June: Summer party in Lidköping
• 4-8 July: Kalmar's annual sand sculpture festival
• 3 Sept: Haningedagen in Haninge, which is 50 years old.
• 22-24 Sept: VÄV2022 textile festival in Halmstad, Sweden

Thailand eases restrictions on entry into the country

Making it easier for Swedes to travel to Sweden ThailandAs of 1 May, Thailand removed pre-departure and on-arrival testing requirements for vaccinated visitors, according to the Thai Tourist Board. Unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated travellers, who have submitted a negative PCR test within 72 hours before departure, can enter Thailand under the same conditions as fully vaccinated travellers. This can be read in a press release from TUI.

TUI adds two new destinations in the Caribbean to its winter programme

TUI is now adding two new dream destinations for the coming winter. Direct flights from Stockholm to the Dominican Republic start in November and to Jamaica in December. These destinations will be flown with TUI's Dreamliner. What these islands have in common are white sandy beaches, turquoise sea and a relaxed Caribbean atmosphere.

Reflection of the week

Interesting research on Swedes' experience of holidays during the pandemic! We were initially negative about having to holiday in Sweden in 2020, but accepted the authorities' advice, and eventually felt that Sweden had more to offer than we expected! What was it like for you?

Did you miss the last travel news? Read the Hamburg, Italy, Göta Canal and archipelago trips

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