Travel news: Bragging rights, SoMe pressure and human towers

By: Editorial Office | Source: press material

It's Monday and the end of August. For many, the holidays are over and you're back at work. We have a slightly different lifestyle: we work almost constantly, but on the other hand, we are completely free to control our time. Right now we have made our way to the west coast of Sweden, where it rains constantly. We are working ... and we offer travel news!

Record season for Göta Canal's shortest cruise

Rederi AB Göta Kanal's two-day cruise The little canal trip breaks a new booking record in the summer of 2026. This year's bookings have exceeded last year's total and the shipping company sees a clear pattern: more and more Swedes and international visitors want to test the Göta Canal in mini format - and then return and book a longer cruise.

The small canal trip, a two-day trip between Motala and Söderköping with M/S Wilhelm Tham, has increased this year by just over 9 percent compared to 2025. These cruises are offered during the summer season:

• The classic canal trip: A 4-day cruise between Gothenburg and Stockholm with M/S Juno, the world's oldest registered cruise ship.
• Göta Canal's pearls: A 3-day cruise between Mariestad and Norsholm with M/S Wilhelm Tham.
• The little canal trip: A 2-day cruise between Motala and Söderköping with M/S Wilhelm Tham.
• The big trip to Sweden: A 6-day cruise between Gothenburg and Stockholm with either M/S Diana or M/S Wilhelm Tham.

Bargain travel gets bragging rights – 7 out of 10 Swedes are proud of cheaper travel destinations

Travel has long been a way to signal both identity and status. But it no longer seems to be necessarily the expensive destination that impresses. A new survey from hotel and travel search site momondo shows that seven out of ten Swedes feel satisfied or even proud to choose a more budget-friendly destination.

For those looking to keep costs down on their next trip, there are several affordable options for the fall. Search data from momondo shows that several European destinations can be reached for an average flight price of around SEK 1,500 or less. 10 affordable destinations for Swedes this fall:

1. Gdansk, Poland
2. Tirana, Albania
3. Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
4. London, United Kingdom
5. Krakow, Poland
6. Belgrade, Serbia
7. Berlin, Germany
8. Budapest, Hungary
9. Prague, Czech Republic
10. Bucharest, Romania

Four out of ten feel pressure to show off their vacation on social media

Social media has become one of the most important sources of inspiration when planning our holidays. But while viral videos and Instagram posts influence holiday choices, many people feel pressure to document and showcase their travels, according to a new survey from TUI.

Although the majority (seven in ten) share their travels on social media, there are also signs of a backlash. Just over one in four travelers (26 percent) prefer to only share their holiday experiences with a smaller circle of people.

• 73 percent share their vacation experiences on social media at least sometimes.
• 43 percent have booked a trip or activity after seeing a viral post or video on social media.
• 41 percentDon't be inspired by recommendations from family and friends.
• 39 percent have visited an attraction primarily to take a picture or video.
• 37 percent feel pressure to make their travels appear exciting on social media. Among Generation Z, the figure is 45 percent.
• 26 percent prefer to only share their holiday experiences with a smaller circle.

Elmia Husvagn Husbil gears up with more brands, destinations and new Family Scene

September 9–13 is the time for Elmia Husvagn Husbil – the Nordic region's largest trade fair for mobile living. This year, even more brands, more destinations and a program filled with experiences for both young and old await. One of this year's new features is the Family Stage, which will be hosted by Nassim Al Fakir on Sunday. Read more about the fair here!

The world's largest display of human towers

On October 3-4, Catalonia's leading colles at Tarraco Arena in Tarragona for the big one Castellscompetition, which is held every two years. Here, groups compete in building spectacular human towers, which can be up to ten stories high.

The tradition of castles has existed in Catalonia for over 200 years and originated in the regions around Tarragona and Penedès. Today, there are nearly 100 groups dedicated to the tradition throughout Catalonia.

The first competition in Tarragona was held in 1932 and the event is now considered the highlight of the season. Since 2010, castles also included on the UNESCO list of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity.

Many Swedes have little knowledge of travel vaccines

Bookings for autumn and winter travel have picked up, with TUI, among others, reporting increased interest compared to last year. At the same time, a Novus survey, conducted on behalf of VaccinDirekt, shows that 41 percent of Swedes are unsure about which vaccinations may be needed before a trip.

VaccinDirekt's doctors therefore recommend that travelers review their vaccination coverage well in advance of departure, especially since some vaccines require multiple doses.

Bookings increase after the holidays – rush after Christmas holidays

As the summer holidays draw to a close, Swedes are starting to look towards their next trip. In recent weeks, TUI has seen an increasing number of people booking winter trips, with a particularly strong interest in trips over the Christmas holidays. Top 5: Most booked destinations at TUI for the winter season

1. Gran Canaria, Spain
2. Thailand
3. Tenerife, Spain
4. Cyprus
5. Fuerteventura, Spain

Did you miss the last travel news? Read the Musselfest, silent travelling and autumn trips