Merry Christmas to all readers! Today is Christmas Day, but that doesn't stop us from publishing travel news. This week's news includes a brand new motorhome fair, Swedes' Christmas feelings and different types of winter travel. Stay tuned!
Table of contents
How we travelled in 2023 - levels higher than before the pandemic
After years of a pandemic that limited travel, followed by a year of economic difficulties, the desire to travel among Swedes is strong. Higher interest rates, food prices and inflation do not seem to have had too much of an impact on travel, and travel agency Ticket's travel statistics show that bookings in 2023 were three per cent higher than in 2019. Most popular destinations in 2023, according to Ticket's statistics:
- Malaga
- Alicante
- Majorca
- Gran Canaria
- London
- Bangkok
- Barcelona
- Paris
- Berlin
- Nice
Sharp increase in solar holidays this winter
Booking statistics from the airline Emirates show a sharp increase in sun holidays this winter, with 30 per cent more bookings this year compared to last year. This winter's most popular destinations among Swedes are, according to Emirates' booking statistics:
- Bangkok
- Dubai
- Phuket
- Cape Town
- Sri Lanka
Swedes most conflicted about Christmas
"Christmas at last!" or "Oh no, is it Christmas again..."? This is the question that divides Swedes. The hotel and travel search site momondo.se has taken the temperature of Swedes' Christmas feelings with a new survey, where Swedes seem to disagree. Those who are most looking forward to Christmas are the Germans (72 per cent), the British (67 per cent) and the Spanish and Danes (64 per cent). The survey results in brief:
- 53 % look forward to Christmas and 47 % do not care or do not like Christmas.
- 28 % would flee their home town at Christmas if given the chance.
- 38 % would choose to travel to a Christmas destination and 36 % to a non-Christmas destination.
- Of those wanting to travel to a festive destination, 64 % mean snow, 50 % Christmas market in Europe and 35 % lively city with culture.
- Of those who want to travel to a non-Christmas one, 48 % prefer beaches, 11 % history and culture and 10 % spa holidays.
How to cross the winter of 2024 - 5 trends
In the summer, Swedes prefer to cruise in the western Mediterranean (41 percent) and the eastern Mediterranean (21 percent), according to the Cruise Barometer from Prat PR and MSC Cruises. In winter, 50 percent choose the Caribbean. The largest target groups are families with children (29 per cent) and couples 46-65 years (26 %) and couples 65+ years (25 %). Cruise trends:
- Stay longer: Itineraries with extended stays in port are becoming increasingly popular.
- Exploring cultures: Tourists are no longer satisfied with seeing familiar sights, but want to explore new cultures.
- Upgrade: A global trend is that tourists are seeking increasingly exclusive and luxurious experiences.
- Europe: There is more interest than ever in discovering Europe's cities.
- Generation X and Millenials: Going on a cruise is increasingly popular with those who haven't done it before.
Hidden gems attract ski travellers
According to data from Hotels.com, travellers are no longer looking for standard tourist destinations, with almost a quarter (23%) of Swedes now prefer to travel to less visited and hidden gems instead. So Hotels.com lists some alternative and more unusual destinations for this year's ski season.
- Tri sestry, Jasná, Slovakia
- El Lodge Ski & Spa, Sierra Nevada, Spain
- The Grant Arms Hotel, Grantown on Spey, Scotland
- Villa Neri Resort & Spa, Lingualossa, Italy
- Hilton Niseko Village, Niseko, Japan
New direct route to Marseille from Stockholm
Transavia France is expanding at Stockholm Arlanda Airport with the launch of a new direct route to Marseille. The new route further establishes the French low-cost carrier at Stockholm Arlanda and meets the increased demand for travel to the French Riviera. The new route will operate twice a week, starting on 6 June 2024.
Mälardalen gets new caravan and motorhome fair!
The National Association of the Caravan and Motorhome Industry (HRF) is offering an exciting Christmas present - a new trade fair in Stockholm in March called the Stockholm Caravan Motorhome. The exhibition is organised at Stockholmsmässan in parallel with the boat show. All for the Sea 14-17 March 2024, and the entrance ticket gives access to both fairs. Many leading motorhome brands will be present and are already confirmed as exhibitors. The fair Motorhome Stockholmwhich has been organised at the Kistamässan premises, will be closed at the same time.
Reflection of the week
It's interesting that Swedes are more conflicted about Christmas than others. Could it be that our society is more individualistic than many others, and that we are perhaps a little less family orientated? What do you think? Do you like traditional Christmas celebrations or do you prefer "Christmas-free"?
And wow, a new motorhome and caravan fair, that's interesting news. We've previously talked about combining a boat show and a motorhome show, and we think it could be a good combo.
Did you miss the last travel news? Read the This winter's trending destinations and a backstop for travellers
Anna Nilsson Spets says:
I have Christmas at work where the Christmas department starts to be built at the end of August in order to be ready. I haven't had a Christmas thing at home for 30 years. I am at home in Belgium=no Christmas celebrations, I am not a believer in any way but find that the message of Christmas has been replaced by commercialism and hysteria, I buy an experience gift for the grandchildren and something for the dogs. I am an anti-Christmas person.
25 December 2023 - 7:38
Ditte says:
I have thought about this a lot. I know that Easter is the biggest holiday for many Catholics and it is celebrated around Europe properly. Christmas is not a direct celebration. Many Spaniards are seen in restaurants together and there is no real Christmas food. The French rely heavily on seafood.
For me, Christmas itself is pretty insignificant and has been for a long time. But it was different when my daughters were small and when I was growing up. Then we gathered many people and the community was important.
But I myself have often been away for Christmas. during my teenage years together with my parents and often in Storlien or Vålådalen.
As Anna wrote above, there has been so much commercialisation. Parents take out loans to buy Christmas presents and everything should be in abundance. This is something I dislike.
So Christmas is nothing special and it is hardly more than possibly the lutefisk that is special to eat. Everything else you eat anyway.
But here, as in everything else, people have different opinions.
Wishing you all the best for the future.
25 December 2023 - 14:37