Travel news: April Fool's Day, art and guided tours

By: Editorial Office | Source: press material

We hope you had - and are having - a great Easter! It's Easter Monday today, but we're still running travel news as usual. Here are short extracts from this week's press releases on travel, camping and tourism.

April Fool's Day jokes - how travel companies played it

Sometimes we get press releases that stand out - and when you look at the calendar and see that it's 1 April, you realise it's probably all a joke... We got these press releases on 1 April this year:

April Fool's joke 1: Jacy'z launches gondola service from Central Station

Gothenburg residents and tourists alike will soon be able to make their way to Jacy'z Hotel & Resort in brass-plated gondolas. This is the result of the city giving the green light for ”The Gårda Canal” - an extension of the moat that will cement Gothenburg's position as the true Venice of the North.

April Fool's joke 2: Tour operator opens dog day care centre

After more than 50 years in the travel industry, Rolfs Flyg & Buss is expanding its business and is now also focusing on four-legged family members. With the new concept Rolf's paws the tour operator opens dog daycare centres, initially in Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö.

April Fool's joke 3: Pilot project to build relationships at high altitude

In Sweden, the birth rate has fallen to historically low levels. Norwegian wants to bring people together and takes this mission seriously. Therefore, a pilot project is now being launched where single travellers can reserve ”Single Seat” in rows 1-3 to meet like-minded people, where liking can arise. The seats are marked with green neck protectors to make this clear to everyone. ”Love is in the air”

April Fool's joke 4: Slow living with your own apple tree on subscription

Kiviks Musteri is following the trend for a more balanced lifestyle and is offering the public the opportunity to become a monthly donor to gain access to their own apple tree. Those who do not live in Österlen can instead follow their tree via slow TV to ensure peace and quiet from another location. You can also be matched with an apple tree to make the relationship as rewarding as possible.

Four out of ten want to save tax refunds - others want to travel

A new survey conducted by Sambla shows that 4 out of 10 Swedes (41 per cent) plan to save money if they get a tax refund this year. At the same time, travelling is appealing. When asked ”If you get something back from your tax return this year, what are you likely to spend that money on?” the Swedes reply:

• Save your money: 41 %
• Travel: 22 %
• Use for current expenditure (food, bills): 16 %
• Investing: 14 %
• Gifts to family and friends: 6 %
• Increased consumption (clothing, furniture): 7 %

In addition, just over one in five people (21 per cent) say they receive no money back at all.

Travelling to Japan triples

Interest in Japan is at a record high. TUI sees a clear increase among Swedish travellers, with Tokyo as the obvious first choice. Right now, the iconic cherry blossom season is also underway, a short but impressive phenomenon that attracts both international and domestic visitors.

Direct flights or easy transfers within the Nordic region, combined with a favourable exchange rate, make Japan more accessible than ever. At the same time, more and more people are attracted by the country's food culture, with global trends such as miso and matcha.

Award-winning art experience on display at Kalmar Castle

How can we find happiness in an increasingly digital world? That question is explored in the art experience ”Modern Guru and the Path to Artificial Happiness”, which opened at Kalmar Castle on 26 March. Visitors will follow a path filled with colourful sculptures, AI, surprises and thought-provoking messages about happiness. The exhibition is on display until 1 November.

Great interest in guided tours in Landskrona

Interest in guided tours in Landskrona continues to grow. Last year, more than 1,700 people took part, the highest number ever. This year, the City of Landskrona is offering 95 guided tours on 29 different themes - from the city's history and architecture to nature experiences and local stories.

New this year are tours of 18th century Landskrona. Meanwhile, several popular tours return, including the walk to the man-made island of Gråen - a place normally closed to the public and therefore attracting great interest.

Did you miss the last travel news? Read the Easter holidays, Starlink on the plane and tough hiking trips