Sänkt skatt för husbilar - och 12 bästa campingarna

This Monday we have several camping and motorhome-themed news items, mixed in with other travel news, of course! Proposed tax cuts for motorhomes, the 12 best campsites according to the Swedish people and much more. Don't miss checking in every Monday for the latest news!

Table of contents

Government proposes tax reduction for motorhomes!

The Ministry of Finance has submitted a memorandum proposing that motorhomes should no longer be subject to malus, i.e. the increased vehicle tax that applies to certain new cars during the first three years. This is according to the National Association of the Caravan and Motorhome Industry. "If the proposal becomes reality, malus will be removed for all motorhomes. The proposal the government is now submitting would mean that malus would no longer be levied on any motorhomes, either new or those already in circulation," says Per Nilsson, chairman of HRF.

The 12 best campsites in Sweden - the winners of Campers' Choice 2024

Following the annual vote on Camping.se, where over 7,000 guests voted for their favourite campsites in Sweden, the results of the competition have now been revealed. Camping.se Campers' Choice 2024. The SCR announced the 12 winners at the industry's annual conference in Gothenburg on 14 March. The winners have distinguished themselves by offering unique experiences and world-class hospitality. This year's winners (in no particular order):

Bomstadbaden, Karlstad Swecamp, Värmland
Böda Sand Beach Resort, Öland
Daftö Resort, Bohuslän
Dragsö Camping & Stugby, Blekinge
Gekåsbyn Ullared, Halland
GrebbestadFjorden, Bohuslän
Gullbrannagården, Halland
Hultsfred Strandcamping, Småland
Stenrösets Camping Trollhättan, Västergötland, Sweden
Särna Camping, Dalarna
Tingsryd Resort, Småland
Västra Kajen Camping, Norrbotten

Campers' Choice 2024 on stage, photo: Niklas Maupoix / SCR Swedish Camping.

Entrepreneurs from Öland and Värmland won the Swedish Camping Award 2024.

The Swedish Camping Prize is awarded annually to the industry's most outstanding entrepreneurs. The 2024 winners can be found at Öland and in Värmland. The Entrepreneur of the Year 2024 category was won by Catrin Fägersten Sörensson, Saxnäs Camping Öland, and the Sustainability Initiative of the Year was won by IngMarie and Anders Junler, Klarälvens Camping in Värmland. The awards were presented at SCR Swedish Camping's annual conference in Gothenburg.

Sustainability initiative of the year 2024 Klarälvens Camping, photo: Niklas Maupoix / SCR Svensk Camping.

First Camp takes over the campsite at Skara Sommarland

First Camp acquires the camping operations at Skara Sommarland and enters into a long-term collaboration with Parks and Resorts, which operates Skara Sommarland. The camping area will be upgraded and Sommarland will be developed into an even more attractive destination. After the acquisition, First Camp has 72 destinations, of which 53 are in Sweden.As before, guests will be able to buy packages with accommodation and summerland entrance, now both through Skara Sommarland's and First Camp's website.

Skara Sommarland camping, photo: Skara Sommarland

Tallink Silja Line launches the personalised "Cruisers"

A journey is personal and yet travellers are often faced with a generically presented offer. Tallink Silja Line wants to change this with the launch of the "Cruisers" which introduces six different virtual travellers: City Charlie, Wellness Wilma, Family Frank, Nature Nina, Foodie Fredrik and Design Denise. Each personality is created using an AI tool, with the aim of assisting customers in better planning and customising their travel experience. Get to know the cruisers here and test which Cruiser you are here.

Distriktfem - Stockholm's biggest cultural initiative - opens in Slakthusområdet.

27 April 2024 marks the start of a new era in Stockholm's cultural life. Slakthusområdet will have nine new venues for music, culture, art, food and drink. District five covers 3500 square metres and can accommodate 5000 contemporary visitors, with Fållan as its cultural epicentre. Behind the initiative is Kulturarenor - the team behind Trädgården, B-K, Färgfabriken Evenemang, Eden and Under Bron in Stockholm. Location: Distriktfem, Stora Skorstensgatan 8, Johanneshov.

Initiators Jakob Grandin, Thea Mårdbrant and Martin Lagerberg, photo: Kegen Kajsa Lorentzon.

New direct flights to Visby this summer

BRA is expanding its flight offerings for the summer, and with it comes the popular direct routes between Norrköping and Visby, and between Ängelholm and Visby, back. Starting on 3 July and until 11 August, BRA will operate the routes with two departures a week on Wednesdays and Sundays.

More and more Swedes want to experience the cherry blossom in Japan

Cherry blossom in Japan is an annual event that represents renewal and marks the arrival of spring. Typically, the flowering period occurs from mid-March to April and extends throughout the country. According to Hotels.com data, Swedish searches for Japan have increased by 10 % for this year's flowering season compared to last year, and searches for Kyoto and Osaka have skyrocketed by 35 % and 30 % respectively. Here are five hotels from which to explore the blooms:

Mitsui Garden Hotel Fukuoka Gion, Fukuoka
Resol Hotel Trinity Osaka, Osaka
Park Hyatt Kyoto, Kyoto
Hotel New Otani Tokyo The Main, Tokyo
The Westin Sendai, Sendai

Reflection of the week

Great news that the government is proposing a tax cut for motorhomes! Also interesting to see all the camping news - you can really tell that the camping season is coming!

Did you miss the last travel news? Read the The 2024 travel year - and destinations for set jetting