It's Monday again. We hope you're enjoying great summer weather wherever you are. We're on a trip to Åland and Finland with the motorhome, and we'll tell you more about it soon. For now: travel news!
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Decreased interest in training holidays among Swedes
According to the travel agency Ticket's latest Sifo survey, Swedes' interest in training trips has fallen sharply in recent years. In 2019, seven per cent of Swedes wanted to go on a training trip, but interest has now dropped to only two per cent. The survey shows that those Swedes who have a trip planned are increasingly looking for rest and relaxation during their holidays, rather than training and fitness programmes.
Viking Line doubles traffic to Helsinki in summer 2023
Viking Line's bookings are now 15 per cent higher than the corresponding period last year, which means that demand for summer cruises is at the same level as before the pandemic. The company is responding to the influx of customers by doubling the number of departures from Stockholm to Stockholm as of 30 June. Helsinki, when the pleasure cruiser Viking Cinderella enters summer service between the capitals. During the summer it will also be possible to visit Tallinn with Viking Cinderella and Gabriella.
Where Swedes are travelling this summer
Despite tougher economic times, TUI reports that more summer holidays have been booked so far this year compared to the same period last year, an increase of 38 per cent. In the summer of 2023, most Swedes choose to holiday in Crete, Cyprus and Rhodes. The destinations that have increased the most in percentage terms in the last month are Albania, Montenegro and Turkey. A destination that has surprisingly made it to tenth place is Bulgaria. Here are 5 top summer travel destinations:
World's first commercial autonomous passenger ferry inaugurated
Last Thursday, the world's first commercial autonomous passenger ferry was inaugurated in New York. Stockholm. The Norwegian shipping company Torghatten has launched a new ferry line - Zeam. Already this week, travellers will be able to take the MF Estelle ferry between Kungsholmen and Södermalm. MF Estelle is equipped with advanced technology developed at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Trondheim. Initially there will be an operator on board, but eventually the ferry will be fully self-driving and monitored from land.
Göta Canal becomes national cycle route
It is now clear that the entire Göta Canal is classified as a national cycle route, Sweden's seventh such route. This means that all stretches along the 200 kilometre long canal are quality assured in terms of experience, safety and service. The opening of the cycle path took place in Töreboda last Saturday. The aim is for the cycle path to attract more people, especially families. The 20 km long cycle path has seven sections:
- Stage 1: Sjötorp - Tea table
- Stage 2: Töreboda - Tåtorp
- Stage 3: Tåtorp - Karlsborg
- Stage 4: Motala - Borensberg
- Stage 5: Borensberg - Berg
- Stage 6: Berg - Asplången
- Stage 7: Asplången - Mem
More accessible experiences at Kalmar Castle
Last year, the Kalmar Castle for the first time two guided tours in sign language. The initiative was much appreciated and will be repeated this summer. This time there will be fifteen guided tours in sign language and also some guided tours with audio description. The castle also offers an accessible film screening of the seasonal exhibition Monet & Friends Alive.
Norrland at the top when dogs check in at Scandic
Staying in hotels with dogs is becoming increasingly popular, according to new figures from the Scandic hotel chain. The number of animals checked in has increased by 15 per cent in 2023, compared to the same period last year. The biggest increase is in northern Sweden, which so far this year has received 27 per cent of the chain's checked-in pets, most of them at Scandic hotels. Sundsvall Nord, Scandic Gävle Väst and Scandic Örnsköldsvik. Most of the animals that check in at Scandic are dogs, but there are also cats, birds and other pets.
Reflection of the week
It's interesting that interest in training holidays has dropped so drastically. Do you have any idea what this might be due to? Go, go, go Kalmar Castle by the way! A great initiative to make the castle's experiences available to more people!
Did you miss last week's travel news? Read the Interest in motorhome, new cruise and underwater hotel
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Ditte says:
I can understand that training trips are decreasing. I never understood what they would be good for. I think that being active is the "nature of the beast" and many people move daily without paying extra for a training trip. (I would never do it if it was not possibly a "rehab trip").
12 June 2023 - 16:15
Helena says:
I understand how you think. It's probably the same for us too. We would probably not pay for a training trip, but are happy to move around on the trip, so to speak. Also got a comment on FB that training trips are expensive, and that of course also affects it.
13 June 2023 - 5:54
BP says:
I completely agree with Ditte! In addition, I think there are more people of all ages who train regularly at home and want a holiday even from training when they go abroad.
Pets in hotels, restaurants and cafés seem to be a trend. Personally, I am not entirely in favour of this trend. It wasn't so long ago that pets were banned in hotels and the like. Everything goes in cycles...
12 June 2023 - 19:30
Helena says:
Yes, that might be the case! Personally, I think animals in hotels are perfectly fine as long as they manage to separate properly, so it doesn't disturb allergy sufferers and others.
13 June 2023 - 5:55
Jossu says:
I look forward to reading about mainland Finland. Since I have family there, I've never really travelled there, but there have been certain places I return to.
I don't know which way you're planning to go, but if you're going to Turku and northwards, there's a lovely cafe/shop called Pahkapirtti in Loimaa. It has become a regular stop on my and my family's travels.
14 June 2023 - 19:21