Prisras på resor, typiskt svenskt och superseniorer sökes

We welcome a new week - as usual with travel news here at FREEDOMtravel. It's now clear that the quietest holiday periods are over. Press releases on various travel, tourism and camping news are pouring in. We present interesting news in brief!

Table of contents

Best July ever for First Camp

First Camp, Scandinavia's largest camping chain, achieved its best revenue result ever in July. First Camp reached a consolidated turnover of SEK 516 million during the month. Even on a pro-forma basis, i.e. when the effect of acquisitions is excluded, revenue was higher than both July 2023 and the previous peak year of 2022. The top 5 First Camp destinations with the strongest revenue growth in July 2024 versus 2023 were:

First Camp Hökensås - Tidaholm: +52%
First Camp City - Stockholm: +32%
First Camp City - Strömstad: +22%
First Camp Holbæk Fjord - Zealand: +22%
First Camp Sjöstugan - Älmhult: +21%

VISA data shows increase in tourism in France

Data from VISA shows increased tourism in France during the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris: some conclusions:

42% more Visa cardholders travelled to Paris during the first week of the Olympics.
US Visa cardholders made up the largest share of visitors, with an increase of 72% compared to the previous year.
Visa cardholders from Europe also travelled to France, including the UK (+53%) and Germany (+53%).
Increase in the number of travellers to other cities hosting the Olympic Games, such as Lille, Saint-Etienne and Marseille.
The most significant increase in expenditure in Paris compared to the previous year was recorded for restaurants +49%.

Price drop on travel after the start of the school year

With schools reopening, there is less pressure on airfares and hotels, creating unique opportunities for those who can travel in late summer. The cheapest way to travel is to Greece, Turkey or Bulgaria in the coming months, according to the travel experts at Ticket. You can get a week's holiday with both flights and accommodation for under SEK 3000. Swedes travel here in late summer:

Malaga, Spain
Mallorca, Spain
Larnaca, Cyprus
Rhodes, Greece
Alicante, Spain

This is typically Swedish

The language learning platform Preply recently conducted a survey to identify what is considered typically Swedish. According to the survey, five unique characteristics emerge, according to people from other countries:

Food should be eaten on time
Right of public access
No shoes indoors
Queue systematically and politely
The weather is always a topic of conversation

Liseberg seeks daredevil super seniors for record attempt

Are you 70+ and up for a fast-paced challenge? Liseberg is now looking for people over 70 to take part in a world record attempt for the oldest average age on a roller coaster. The ambassador for the record attempt is 86-year-old influencer Anita Looström, Lady Silver on Instagram. The old record was broken in Blackpool in 2003, with an average age of 75.25 years. The record attempt will take place at Liseberg on the Valkyria roller coaster. Interested seniors should register at liseberg.se/superseniorerna by 23 August. The record attempt will take place on 3 September at Liseberg.

Premiere of the Stockholm Archipelago Trail

Opening in October Stockholm Archipelago Trail, a new hiking trail that allows hiking and archipelago enthusiasts to discover the Stockholm archipelago in a whole new way. The trail, which is 270 km long, runs through the outer archipelago of Stockholm, stretching from Arholma in the north to Landsort in the south. The trail passes through 21 islands and is divided into 20 stages. You can choose to walk one stage/day or experience the whole route in two weeks. More information can be found at stockholmarchipelagotrail.com.

The fast train goes straight to Dresden

Every Friday until the autumn holidays, you can travel with Snälltåget directly to the beautiful capital of Saxony Dresden. The night train Stockholm - Malmö - Copenhagen - Berlin continues to and from Dresden. The Snälltåg direct night train to and from Dresden runs every weekend until 3 November, then three trains run to and from Dresden in late November and early December, making it possible to enjoy the fantastic Christmas markets.

Senior Festival launches new website

For this year's festival in Stockholm on 1-3 October, Seniorfestivalen presents a new and updated website. The Senior Festival is Sweden's largest festival for those who are 55+ and want to live an active life, and there are exhibitors in travel, health, beauty, culture, housing, finance, technology, care, shopping and experiences. This year, the Senior Festival's stage in Stockholm will be visited by, among others, Lill Lindfors, Lars-Åke "Babsan" Wilhelmsson and the Ask Lund panel's Henrik Widegren.

Last chance to vote for "Destination Sweden 2024"

A new feature at Elmia Husvagn Husbil 2024 is that you are involved in deciding which destination will be "Destination Sweden of the Year 2024"! Five Swedish destinations have been nominated and the readers' / fair participants' votes will decide who wins! The winner will be announced on Saturday 14 September at 16:00 on the Destination Stage at Elmia Husvagn Husbil. You can vote until 20 August. When you vote, you also have the chance to win fair tickets. Vote here!