Then it was Monday again and that means travel news here at FREEDOMtravel. Today it is, among other things, about the registration of motorhomes and caravans in 2022, traffic trends on the Öresund Bridge and about ... winter bathing.
Table of contents
2022 - a good year for mobile living
In 2022, a total of 8 709 vehicles for mobile accommodation were registered in Sweden, according to the Swedish Caravan and Motorhome Association (HRF). This makes 2022 the fifth best sales year compared to the last twenty years. "Many customers are currently waiting and this is reflected in the new registration figures. During the pandemic years, many new customers were added and the interest in mobile housing increased. The underlying interest in mobile housing remains strong and the industry is optimistic about the future," says Per Nilsson, Chairman of HRF.
Four traffic trends on the Öresund Bridge
The Öresund Bridge looks back on four traffic trends over the past year. About a start far below the level before the pandemic, about a strong recovery and several traffic records during the summer and about freight traffic that continues to show strong growth.
- Down and up - with "all time high" - The year started with corona restrictions, but the summer brought record traffic.
- New travel patterns for commuters and businesses - Commuter traffic is now at a stable level of around 10-15 per cent below the 2019 volume.
- Very strong freight traffic - Freight transport continued to move, at a significantly higher level than before the pandemic.
- Many new customers - the Danes are back - Danish leisure traffic is back at 2019 levels, while Swedish leisure traffic is lagging behind.
Garmin launches large camping navigators
Garmin is launching two large 8- and 10-inch tablet-like navigators. Camper 895 and Camper 1095 are specifically designed for campers. In addition to customised route planning and pre-loaded materials, arriving at a campsite is made easier with BirdsEye satellite imagery that shows a colourful view of most locations, such as campsites or parks. There is also the option to split the screen so that you see the active route on one side and upcoming weather conditions1 on the other.
Finnlines has launched its second new Superstar vessel
Finnline's second Superstar vessel, Finncanopus, was launched at China Merchants Jinling Shipyard in Weihai on 30 December. The first vessel, Finnsirius, was launched in August 2022. The new Superstar-class freight and passenger vessels will operate on the Kapellskär - Långnäs - Helsinki route. Naantali The Superstar ships are built with innovative technology, making them emission-reducing and environmentally friendly. Both ships have a capacity of 1,100 passengers.
The positive trend for Norwegian continues
In December, Norwegian had 1.3 million passengers, an increase of 41 per cent compared to December last year. During the full year 2022, Norwegian had 18 million passengers. The year ended with stable operations during Christmas when extra people are travelling. In 2022, the number of passengers tripled, the demand for air travel came back and the positive booking trends continue.
Winter swimming is still trendy
Winter beaches are still hot, despite the fact that bathing is freezing cold. The hotel and travel search site momondo.se has therefore, together with the association Dark & Cold, developed tips on some of the best winter beaches. Don't forget to bring a friend - you should never go winter swimming alone!
- Ganlet, Gothenburg
- Winter Park, Östersund
- Vitskärsudden, Obbola
- Fästningsbadet, Varberg
- Kivik harbour, Kivik
Reflection of the week
The trend for winter swimming has not escaped anyone's notice. For our part, we feel not in the least but everyone should do what makes them happy, of course. What is your relationship with winter swimming?
Did you miss the last travel news? Read the New Year's resolutions, legal requirements and 2023 travel trends
Marianne says:
I don't know about winter swimming, but I swim well into the autumn, the last time last autumn was 11 October, when it was 12 degrees in the water and 9 degrees in the air, the first dip is usually in early April!
09 January 2023 - 12:44
Helena says:
Well done! I think that's really impressive!!!
11 January 2023 - 19:46
Anna in Portugal says:
I have done winter baths in Portugal in previous years, it is cold in the Atlantic. But now that I have acclimatised to the climate here, it feels as cold as a wake in Sweden 🙂 Bathing will be in the summer, maybe I want to swim in our pool all winter days in the future ....
09 January 2023 - 12:59
Helena says:
I can imagine that it gets really cold in the Atlantic. Nothing for me ... Impressive that you did it, I think! 🙂
11 January 2023 - 19:47
Lena - good for the soul says:
And there I have finally caught up here. It is important not to let go because then it takes a long time to catch up with your useful posts 😉.
I love the motorhome trend. It seems to be extremely popular nowadays. Even with "unexpected" campers.
Hug Lena
09 January 2023 - 16:37
Helena says:
Ojojoj, it's absolutely incredible! Catching up here is no walk in the park, haha!!!
11 January 2023 - 19:47