Motorhome passes, pet-friendly hotels and where Swedes are travelling

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So it's Monday again, and the holidays are mostly over. In other words, our inbox is filled with lots of press releases. We've sifted through the crop and present the travel news of the week.

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Where Swedes travelled this summer

In the summer of 2024, Swedes prioritised sun and swimming. Travel agency Tickets' list of the most popular destinations is topped by Spanish destinations. Meanwhile, Paris has made its way to the top of the list, thanks to the increased interest in the Olympics. However, high prices for last-minute travel meant that many Swedes did not go on holiday abroad this year. Swedes travelled here in summer 2024:

1. Malaga, Spain
2. Mallorca, Spain
3. Alicante, Spain
4. Split, Croatia
5. Barcelona, Spain
6. Nice, France
7. London, United Kingdom
8. Crete, Greece
9. Paris, France
10. Rhodes, Greece

Fewer holidaymakers on board Stena Line than expected this summer

Stena Line reports a negative development for this year's summer traffic between Sweden and Denmark, especially among Swedish, but also Danish passengers. In July, 14% fewer passengers travelled between Gothenburg-Fredrikshamn and Halmstad-Grenå compared with the previous year. However, the trend looks set to reverse and Stena Line expects to achieve its budget targets in the coming months.

After the success of the spring - a new round of the Motorhome Pass is released!

Following the successful launch last spring, First Camp is now releasing even more Motorhome Passes, which are now fully digital. When the Motorhome Pass was launched in April 2024, all 1,000 passes sold out in less than 24 hours and demand has been high ever since. For only SEK 299, the owner of the pass can stay at any First Camp destination during weeks 1-24 and 32-52, 2024 in Sweden, Norway and Denmark, at a fixed price of only SEK 250 per night. The pass is purchased online via firstcamp.se.

Sharp rise in travel bookings for winter

Summer is not yet over, but many Swedes are already longing for a "Thai holiday". At travel operator TUI, bookings for winter holidays have increased by a total of 14 per cent compared to last year, of which bookings to Thailand increased by over 30 per cent. Bookings for the autumn holidays have also increased compared to last year - an increase of 20%. Most booked with TUI winter 2024/2025:

1. Canary Islands
2. Thailand
3. Cape Verde
4. Mexico
5. Egypt

Norwegian Cruise Line launches season with 250 new routes

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) presents the 2026 spring and summer season. The season offers nearly 250 new routes to the Caribbean, Bahamas, Bermuda, Alaska, Canada and New England. For the first time in many years, NCL is also back in Philadelphia. In addition to the new programme, NCL sails to more than 450 destinations worldwide. Some highlights from NCL's 2026 spring and summer season:

• New home ports and routes in Bermuda, Canada and New England.
• Extended season in the Bahamas.
• Cruises to the Caribbean with Norwegian Prima
• Alaska in focus
• Norwegian Jade offers seven-day cruises between Vancouver, British Columbia and Whittier, Alaska.

Singapore Airlines expands with more flights

Singapore Airlines (SIA) will increase the number of flights during the summer season 2025. The number of weekly flights to Singapore will be increased from London, Rome, Milan and Barcelona. In addition, the airline has increased to daily flights on the Copenhagen - Singapore route, compared to the previous five flights per week, improving connectivity from the Nordics to Asia and Australia. On the Copenhagen - Singapore route, business class travellers can enjoy an exclusive two-course menu from the Danish Michelin-starred restaurant AOC, until the end of September.

Pet-friendly hotels are trending

26 August is International Dog Day. According to data from Hotels.com, reviews containing the word "pet" or "pet-friendly" have increased by 5 per cent compared to the same period last year, indicating a growing demand for accommodations that welcome pets. To help dog owners plan the ultimate holiday, Hotels.com has compiled a list of top-rated hotels that accept pets.

• Hotel Chinzanso, Tokyo, Japan
• nHow Amsterdam RAI, Amsterdam, Netherlands
• Swexan Hotel, Dallas, USA
• Rome Caveleri, Rome, Italy
• Castlemartyr Resort, Cork, Ireland

reflection of the week

In a way, it's surprising that fewer people have taken the ferry to Denmark, although it can be understood from a socio-economic perspective, such as a weak Swedish krona. We ourselves have travelled relatively little in Denmark, but we would like to see more of our neighbouring country! As for the motorhome pass, we have not tested it ourselves, but it sounds like it can be flexible and affordable, so we understand that it is popular. Anyone who has tried it, who wants to tell us maybe?

Did you miss the last travel news? Read the Price crash on travel, typical Swedish and super seniors wanted

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