Popular destinations in 2023 - according to Ticket Collection

Looking for inspiration on popular travel destinations in 2023? Travel agency chain Ticket has just released its "Ticket Collection" report with lots of exciting information on travel habits and trends. We attended the press event, and here you can read our summary along with our own tips on travel destinations.

Ticket Collection

Ticket Collection is a comprehensive report on the Swedish people's travel habits and favourite destinations, produced by Ticket Privatresor, Sweden's largest private travel agency chain. The report is based on booking statistics and a Sifo survey commissioned by Ticket.

Press meeting in Stockholm

Ticket presented the new report at a press conference in Stockholm this week. We were there and got - in addition to a good breakfast - interesting information about Swedes' travel habits and popular destinations in 2023.

How do Swedes travel?

Ticket began the press meeting by telling us about Swedes' travel habits in 2022, and about their plans and thoughts about popular travel destinations in 2023. Much can of course be linked to the period we have been through, with several years of unrest in the world. Some points that can be highlighted:

• Swedes are less attracted to adventure - and more to smooth travelling
• Charters have gained momentum - even in new target groups
• Many people book later, resulting in a higher average price of travel
• Security when booking and travelling is more important than price
• Pandemic and economy more worrying than climate change
• Electricity and food prices affect travelling, but few want to give up completely
• Fuel prices make long-distance travel more expensive, steering towards close destinations
• "Once in a lifetime" travel is a trend at the other extreme - taking the opportunity to take dream trips whenever possible.

Popular travel destinations in 2023 - these countries are trending

Europe is the big winner and bookings for travel within Europe are 16 per cent higher than before the pandemic. The vast majority of Swedish travellers travel within Europe (77 percent), followed by Asia (12 percent). Here you can read about the countries that are trending in 2023, according to Ticket Collection:

1. Spain - Sweden's great favourite

Spain has been the favourite destination in recent years, and this trend continues. Most Swedes want to go there (15 per cent), according to Ticket's Sifo survey. Spain is perceived as a safe destination, and since many people choose not to travel long distances, the Canary Islands are also increasing in popularity.

2. Cape Verde - can copy the success of the Canary Islands

Cape Verde has many direct charter flights and even more hours of sunshine than the Canary Islands. This means that the destination has great potential to take many travellers who previously travelled to Asia. Ticket cannot really see this in the booking statistics yet, but predicts that Cape Verde will climb the lists.

3. Turkey and Egypt - benefit from the currency

The uncertain economic situation means that many Swedes want to choose affordable destinations, which increases the demand for travel to, for example, the Antalya coast in Turkey and Hurghada in Egypt. There are also direct flights from Sweden to both countries.

4. Mexico and Dubai - will the pandemic effect last?

Mexico and Dubai are two destinations that received a major boost during the pandemic, as travelling there was relatively easy and convenient. It remains to be seen whether this effect will continue when Thailand and the United States, for example, have reopened to tourists.

5. Great Britain - with London as a favourite

The UK is also a country that has grown in popularity after the pandemic, with bookings up 44 per cent compared to the same period in 2019. London has long been a big city favourite along with New York, but Swedes are now more attracted to Europe than the US.

6. Thailand - still popular

Despite a few years of complicated entry rules, Thailand has a special place in the hearts of Swedes. In fact, Thailand is the third most booked holiday destination right now. Travelling to Thailand is expected to increase further, now that all COVID-19 testing requirements are gone.

7. USA - will there be a return?

The US has not yet recovered as a holiday destination for Swedes after the pandemic, and prices are still relatively high. However, Ticket believes that the US could start climbing the charts in 2023, with attractive destinations such as New York and Miami.

8. France - attracts with city and beach

Sales of trips to France have increased by 16 per cent compared to the same period in 2019. Paris is most popular, but Nice is the destination that is increasing the most, and here it is believed that the combination of big city and sandy beach is attractive.

9. Germany - climbing high

The number of booked trips to Germany has increased by 70 per cent compared to 2019, which is partly due to the fact that it is a country that is close and easy to visit. Berlin tops the list of popular destinations in 2023, closely followed by Munich.

10 - Italy at the top for Swedes

In Ticket's Sifo survey, Italy was second among the countries Swedes want to visit in 2023. Bookings to Italy have increased by 37 per cent compared to the same period in 2019, and the most popular destinations are Rome, followed by Milan and Bologna.

Lists of popular destinations in 2023

Below you will find lists of popular destinations in 2023 - popular countries according to Ticket Collection, popular destinations according to Ticket Collection and ... FREEDOMtravel's suggestions for great destinations.

Popular destinations in 2023 according to Ticket Collection - Countries

Countries in the World - top 5

1. Spain
2. United Kingdom
3. Thailand
4. France
5. Germany

Countries in Europe - top 5

1. Spain
2. United Kingdom
3. France
4. Germany
5. Italy

Countries in Asia - top 5

1. Thailand
2. Turkey
3. United Arab Emirates
4. Lebanon
5. Vietnam

Countries in Africa - top 5

1. Egypt
2. Cape Verde
3. Morocco
4. South Africa
5. Kenya

Countries in North America - top 5

1. USA
2. Mexico
3. Canada
4. Dominican Republic
5. Cuba

Countries in South America - Top 5

1. Brazil
2. Chile
3. Colombia
4. Argentina
5. Peru

Popular destinations in 2023 according to Ticket Collection - travel destinations

Sun and swimming - top 5

1. Gran Canaria, Spain
2. Malaga, Spain
3. Bangkok, Thailand
4. Alicante, Spain
5. Mallorca, Spain

City - top 5

1. London, United Kingdom
2. Paris, France
3. Barcelona, Spain
4. Berlin, Germany
5. Rome, Italy

Charter destinations - top 5

1. Gran Canaria, Spain
2. Tenerife, Spain
3. Phuket, Thailand
4. Mallorca, Spain
5. Crete, Greece

Charter countries - top 5

1. Spain
2. Greece
3. Thailand
4. Cyprus
5. Egypt

Scheduled flight destinations - top 5

1. London, United Kingdom
2. Malaga, Spain
3. Paris, France
4. Bangkok, Thailand
5. Barcelona, Spain

Scheduled flight destinations - Top 5

1. Spain
2. United Kingdom
3. France
4. Germany
5. Thailand

Top travel destinations in 2023 - FREEDOMtravel's suggestions for the list

Sun and beach - FREEDOMTRAVEL's top 5

1. Corsica, France
2. Sardinia, Italy
3. Zanzibar, Tanzania
4. Philippines
5. Albania

City - FREEDOMtravel's top 5

1. Prague, Czech Republic
2. Budapest, Hungary
3. Rome, Italy
4. Hamburg, Germany
5. Istanbul, Turkey

Countries - FREEDOMtravel's top 5

1. France
2. New Zealand
3. Ireland
4. Iceland
5. Poland