It's Monday again, and of course we're doing travel news here at FREEDOMtravel. This week it's about road trips, camping, swimming holidays and about ... Shaun the sheep and a few other things. Enjoy!

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Road trip boom this summer - momondo lists supporting sausages

Data from the hotel and travel search site momondo shows that many people are planning a road trip at home this year. Searches for car hire within Sweden have more than quintupled for the summer of 2023, compared to 2019.. Data also shows that Swedes are interested in more environmentally friendly alternatives to rental cars, such as electric or hybrid cars. For this summer's road trip, momondo, together with the organisation K.O.R.V, has therefore listed five hot dog stands along Sweden's summer routes - where you can also charge your electric car.

  • Hemsegrillen, Gotland
  • Englunds Grill & Kiosk, Öland
  • Simrishamns Torgkiosk, Simrishamn
  • Korv Me Mos, Varberg
  • Krysset, Skellefteå

Sweden's campsites heading for a record year

The industry organisation SCR Swedish Camping's annual booking survey indicates that the industry is heading for another record year. More than 80 per cent of entrepreneurs state that the booking situation is better or equally good this year compared to last year. The survey shows that as many as 63 per cent of campsites believe that 2023 will be better than the record year 2022. These are pleasing figures for the industry, but at the same time present a challenge for those who have not yet booked their accommodation.

Motorhome plot with sea view. Photo: Anna Hult / SCR Svensk Camping

Byske Havsbad wins award as Sweden's best campsite

When the ACSI award 2023 was handed out, Byske Havsbad was awarded Sweden's best campsite. The prize was awarded after visitors voted for their favourite campsites in Europe. The ACSI Eurocampings organisation is behind the award. The organisation, which has existed since 1965, assesses campsites partly on the basis of visits and partly on the basis of campers' opinions. Since last year, the organisation has also been awarding prizes to the most popular campsites in Europe.

Clear increase for holidays within Sweden

The trend to holidaying in Sweden is continuing. A new Sifo survey commissioned by SJ also shows a clear increase this year compared to before the pandemic. Before the pandemic, 30 per cent stated that they would only travel within Sweden, and this year 27 per cent state that they choose to travel only within Sweden. The car dominates as a mode of transport among those travelling within the country, but taking the train is by far the most popular way to travel among those who choose to use public transport. Those who travel by public transport choose the following modes of transport:

  • Trains: 74 %
  • Flight: 13 %
  • Boat: 9 %
  • Bus: 4 %
Children travelling on X2000, photo: SJ

What Swedes want to do on holiday

In a new survey by Club Med, 47% of Swedes say they have changed their travel behaviour after the pandemic. Twelve percent say they now travel more domestically than before and 13 percent say they want to spend more time in nature. Women are more interested in spa, wellness and yoga, while men are more interested in golf, tennis and kayaking. These are the activities Swedes want to try on their summer holidays:

  1. Spa treatments and wellness - 30 %
  2. Hiking in the mountains - 28 %
  3. Yoga/meditation - 14 %
  4. Whale watching - 12 %
  5. Diving - 11 %

Norwegian and Strawberry establish common "currency"

Norwegian and Strawberry (formerly Nordic Choice Hotels) are establishing a joint company that will give members of various loyalty programmes significantly more choice than today. The company will create a common benefit currency and platform where members can earn and use points. The digital benefit currency will replace the points system that exists today. This means that members who earn points for hotel stays can choose to use their points to pay for flights - or vice versa.

Petter Stordalen Owner, Strawberry and Geir Karlsen CEO, Norwegian. Photo: Espen Solli

Shaun's Wagon's unique accommodation opened at Skånes Djurpark.

A unique experience, designed in collaboration with Oscar-winning animation studio Aardman, has opened at Skåne Zoo. Shaun's Wagons is a SEK 9 million investment in Skåne Zoo this year, and guests are now welcomed to the world's first overnight concept with Shaun the Sheep. Shaun's Wagons includes four specially built single wagons with five beds in each and a double wagon for six people.

Reflection of the week

Once again, this week's press release shows that swimming holidays, camping and road trips are hot! Of course, the pandemic and the economy have had an impact, but we also think it's great that we Swedes have become better at appreciating nature and our own country! Do you recognise yourself in the surveys?

Did you miss the last travel news? Read the Charters to Tunisia and travel price cuts

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