The Travel Barometer 2025 tells us how Swedes travelled over the past year, i.e. in 2024. We got to know the main results during a press breakfast this week. Here you can read about how Swedes travel - abroad and at home in Sweden!
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Travel Barometer 2025
The Travel Barometer is conducted by RESURS for Travel and Tourism in co-operation with Europeiska ERV. The results are based on an online survey, with 7,000 Swedish respondents.
How we travelled abroad in 2024
In 2024, Swedes made a total of 17.7 million international journeys (for leisure and work - not including commuting), which means 2.1 international journeys per person on average.
Top 10 destinations abroad in 2024
So where did we travel to in 2024? Well, it's our beloved Spain that tops the list, along with its closest neighbours. Turkey disappeared from the list and the United States moved up from a previous 11th place. On the other hand, given the state of the world, there is an imminent risk of the US dropping out of the list again by next year.
- Spain
- Denmark
- Norway
- Germany
- Italy
- Finland
- Greece
- United Kingdom
- France
- USA
Who did we travel abroad with? - 3 in the top
We travelled abroad primarily with our own household. Travelling alone came in fourth place (11%).
- Own household (46 %)
- With relatives (17 %)
- With friends (15 %)
How did we travel abroad? - 3 in the top
Most travelling abroad by air and charter is on the rise again, perhaps because safety has become more important for Swedes again. Train travel is increasing slightly, but by small percentages (fourth place, 6 per cent).
- Aircraft, scheduled (46 %)
- Aircraft, charter (23 %)
- Car/motorhome (16 %)
How did we live when travelling abroad? - 3 in the top
Hotels clearly top the list of accommodation when travelling abroad. Renting a house or apartment is also higher than in the past, perhaps because renting accommodation has become easier in the digital world. Camping was not high on the list at all, but was included in 'other'.
- Hotels (58 %)
- Rented house/apartment (16 %)
- With relatives (9 %)
Why did we travel abroad? - 3 in the top
The main reasons for travelling abroad in 2024 were to get away/get out and for relaxation. Other important reasons were to see family and for sun and swimming.
- Getting away (13 %)
- Relaxation (13 %)
- Meeting relatives (12 %)
How many people have had to cancel a trip?
According to the Travel Barometer, 82 per cent not had to cancel a trip in the last three years. The most common reason for cancellation was illness (9%).
How will we travel abroad in 2025?
A total of 41% said they will travel abroad as much in 2025 as in 2024. The rest will either travel more or less, or do not know yet. The main reason for travelling less is financial.
How we travelled in Sweden in 2024
In 2024, Swedes made a total of 144 million journeys within Sweden (for leisure and work - not including commuting), which means an average of 1.7 journeys within Sweden per month.
Where in Sweden did we travel in 2024? - 3 in the top
Where did we travel in Sweden in 2024? Yes, the following counties top the list.
- Stockholm County
- Västra Götaland County
- Skåne County
Who did we travel with in Sweden? - 3 in the top
We mainly travelled in Sweden with our own household, but it was also relatively common to travel alone or with family.
- Own household (53 %)
- Alone (15 %)
- With relatives (13 %)
How did we travel in Sweden? - 3 in the top
The car dominates as a means of transport when we travel within Sweden. There was no specific mention of "motorhome" so we have to assume that it is also included under "car".
- Car (69 %)
- Train (21 %)
- Air/bus (4 %)
How did we live in Sweden? - 3 in the top
In Sweden, 'hotel' also tops the list of traveller accommodation. Campsites come much lower (6 per cent), but it should be noted that this does not refer to the number of guest nights, as camping usually gets much higher figures.
- Hotels (43 %)
- In family (21 %)
- Rented house/apartment (10 %)
Why did we travel in Sweden? - 3 in the top
So why did we travel in Sweden? Primarily to see family, actually!
- Meeting relatives (25 %)
- Meeting friends (12 %)
- Getting away (9 %)
How will we travel in Sweden in 2025?
Most say they will make about the same number of journeys within Sweden in 2025 as in 2024.
What could a possible tourism levy/tourist tax be used for?
Respondents were asked what they thought any tourism levy/tourist tax should be used for, and the following responses were most common. In the case of healthcare, for example, this could be for places with relatively few residents (such as ski resorts) that receive a lot of tourists at a certain time of year and need to be able to significantly increase healthcare capacity.
- Operation of cultural facilities
- Operation of tourism facilities
- Barbecue areas
- Public toilets
- Car parks
- Sanitation
- Health care
- Maintenance of nature reserves
- Maintenance of hiking trails
- Maintenance of bathing sites
What do you think about the results of the Travel Barometer 2025?
What do you think about the results of the Travel Barometer 2025? Does it match your travelling habits?
You might also like:
7 travel trends in 2023 - how we will travel
4 quirky weekend cities in Europe - have you visited these?
12 destinations to dream about for 2024
Travel in 2024 and residual trends in 2025 - according to Ticket Collection
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Channal says:
Hi Helena! Wow so much fun info. Fun to see! Damn many trips! And we are there among the tops🥰 But our destination ended up a little further down. Lefkas, Greece and Östergötland.
Happy Sunday and hugs to you! Anna
06 April 2025 - 7:32
Helena says:
Yes, but there is a lot of travelling when you add everything up! Greece is popular! Wish you all the best!
06 April 2025 - 20:11
Eval8 says:
What a great picture in the header, fantastic colours!
Happy Sunday!
06 April 2025 - 9:19
Helena says:
Thanks the same, wish you a nice Sunday too!
06 April 2025 - 20:11
Hanneles book paradise says:
Reduced a lot to England with that new travel visa
Nice stay in good place, can stay at home too 🙂
06 April 2025 - 11:27
Helena says:
Yes, I also think it can have an impact. Apparently it should be easy to fix, but it is still an extra thing ...
06 April 2025 - 20:12
Snows says:
It's interesting that the US has made it onto the list, but if things continue like this, I think they'll fall off again.
Spain did not surprise me in the least.
06 April 2025 - 11:49
Helena says:
Agreed, I also think the US will fall out of the list, at least if it continues like this... Spain is almost at the top of every list. It's probably only Denmark, possibly, that can challenge 😉
06 April 2025 - 20:14
Netti Starby says:
How interesting to see how the Swedes travelled last year and I mostly stay at home. Hugs <3
06 April 2025 - 12:24
Helena says:
Of course it can be cosy at home too! But yes, we Swedes probably travel a lot, both abroad and within the country.
06 April 2025 - 20:15
Yossu says:
I think the US will leave the top 10 this year, and maybe the UK as well due to the ETA requirement. I applied for it the day before yesterday and found it very easy and smooth, but I still think one more thing to keep track of and an additional expense may cause some travellers to seek other countries.
Interestingly, more budget-friendly countries such as Albania, Bulgaria and Turkey are not in the top 10 despite the fact that many Swedes' finances are said to be strained.
06 April 2025 - 13:03
Helena says:
Agreed, I also think the US will leave the list, at least if it continues politically as now. Interesting that you tried to apply for ETA! I imagine it's relatively easy, but as you say, it's another thing to consider. Turkey has been very popular, but political events, like with the journalist right now, do affect...
06 April 2025 - 20:17
BP says:
Spain is always at the top, and rightly so. Spain is a foolproof choice for climate, beach life and restaurants. Given the current president, I hope the US falls out of the top ten, as does Turkey, which must have lost a lot given their government.
What surprises me a bit is that most people choose hotels and not apartments for their holidays.
I also think that London/England will lose in view of ETA...
06 April 2025 - 17:32
Helena says:
Yes, Spain is usually the unchallenged number one! (Only Denmark possibly, which can be overtaken.) Political events I think affect more and more. Like you, I think both the US and Turkey are heavily influenced by political events in the near future ... Hotel or apartment, yes that's a good reflection. I also think that camping (including accommodation in cottages) could be an interesting form of accommodation on holiday!
06 April 2025 - 20:21
JoY says:
Always fun with this kind of information. Will be interesting to see how it has changed for next year with regard to the US and UK. Do not know how fast it goes with ETA application. Maybe the spontaneous trips to the UK will not happen. We stick to campervan trips.
06 April 2025 - 22:15