Ny maskot, populära charterresmål och egen kudde på resan

So it was Monday, and what does that mean? Well, travel news of course! We've dug through this week's press releases on travelling, camping and tourism, and picked out the ones that sound most interesting. Here's this week's travel news in a nutshell!

Table of contents

Greece tops summer charter bookings

Charters recently celebrated 70 years in Sweden - and interest remains strong. According to new statistics from the travel agency Ticket, the majority of this summer's charter bookings are for Greece, with booking pressure far exceeding other popular destinations. The most booked charter destinations of the summer

Crete, Greece
Rhodes, Greece
Mallorca, Spain
Larnaca, Spain
Split, Croatia
Zakynthos, Greece
Antalya, Turkey
Kos, Greece
Parga, Greece
Samos, Greece

New mascot checks in at Hotels.com

Say hello to Bellboy, Hotels.com's new ambassador and the world's first spokesbell. Having helped out at hotel receptions around the world, Bellboy has seen and heard it all. He'll be sharing his best tricks on social media and in Hotels.com's new advertising campaign, which launches at the end of May.

1 in 5 Swedes take their own pillow on holiday

A total of 45% of Swedish travellers sleep better on holiday - according to a recent survey by hotel and travel search site momondo. Most people say they get better sleep because of reduced stress (86%), a change of scenery (45%) and a break from everyday routines (36%). Yet more than half choose to bring their own sleeping aids - to be on the safe side. This is what Swedes bring to sleep better:

Flock (17 %)
Earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones (16 %)
Sleep preparations, e.g. melatonin. sleep tea etc. (13 %)
Sleeping mask (11 %)
His favourite book (9 %)
Cuddly toys (8 %)
White noise machine or app (3 %)
Essential oils or sleep spray (3 %)

Pillow and sleeping mask on holiday? Photo from Pexels.

Sembo showcases the travel agency of the future in Väla

Between 15-18 May, Sembo will land in southern Sweden's largest shopping centre, Väla outside Helsingborg. An interactive pop-up - a whole new kind of travel agency, right in the middle of the shopping crowd - kicks off the "Travel Agency of the Future" campaign, where Sembo shows how easy, flexible and personalised booking travel can be. Experience Sembo's revolutionary booking platform and meet the AI assistant Amelia.

Welcome to this year's sailing festival Tjörn Runt

Tjörn Runt by COWI 2025 - always the third Saturday in August. This year, the sailing festival will take place on 16 August. A total of 25 nautical miles, around Tjörn. A sailing challenge since 1963. The start is on Askeröfjorden off Stenungsön. The finish awaits in Stigfjorden, just before Skåpesund.
Sail with or without a certificate - race hard or enjoy the course at your own pace. Best places to watch: Åstol, Kårevik/Rönnäng, Kyrkesund - and of course Tjörnbron at the start!

Malmö Festival 2025 reveals first artists of the year

Sweden's hip-hop legend from Lund - Timbuktu - is coming to celebrate when Malmöfestivalen turns 40! He'll be joined by funky Harlem group The Rakiem Walker Project. There will also be evangelical desert blues from Morocco with Asmaa Hamzaoui & Bnat Timbouktou, emotional pop with Amanda Bergman and new pop songs with Victor Leksell. In addition, Bob Hund says goodbye with a concert that promises to be historic! These are some of the first artists for this year's festival, which takes place 8-15 August.

Timbuktu & The Rakiem Walker Project, photo: Brian Fraser.

Gothenburg Culture Festival releases the first artists for 2025

Iconic rock band Bob Hund will play their last gig in Gothenburg on the big stage at Kungstorget in Gothenburg. Seinabo Sey, Silvana Imam, Marcus & Martinus and Y4ska are also ready. New this year is the addition of new festival areas in the city centre when Kulturkalaset takes place on 28-30 August.

Press photo of Bob Hund. Photo: Henry Moore Selder.

Soon the last chance to win 4 000 points / crowns on FREEDOM Xplore

As you may know, we recently opened a travel agency, FREEDOM Xplore, focusing on hand-picked unique travel experiences. Right now, until the end of April, you can win 4 000 points (equivalent to 4 000 SEK) to use when you buy any trip or experience.

If you have already registered, you are already in the draw. If you have not done so you can register here! (Via the pop-up box or by clicking on the three lines at the top right, and then "register").

Reflection of the week

Hmmm... we have never packed a pillow! A good book we have packed occasionally, mostly to pass the time on board aeroplanes. Do you usually pack something to sleep better when travelling?

Did you miss the last travel news? Read the Quick facts about camping - and what airports of the future will look like