Travel news: Elmia visitors, young people about caravan life and affordable travel destinations

By: Editorial Office | Source: press material

The big fair "Elmia Husvagn Husbil" has just ended and it is noticeable in the travel news that a lot of it is about motorhomes, caravans and camping right now. But as usual we try to offer a mix of course – short excerpts from press releases about travel, camping and tourism,

Elmia Husvagn Motorhome – an important meeting place for the industry

After five days filled with news, inspiration, business and meetings, Elmia Husvagn Husbil 2026 came to an end. Motorhomes, caravans and accessories filled the halls while an extensive program offered travel inspiration, cooking, family activities and entertainment.

Several of the lectures have been fully booked during the fair. The Camping Kitchen, the Family Area and the fair's other activities have also attracted many visitors.

Exhibitors report good sales. After five exhibition days, Elmia Husvagn Husbil 2026, which was attended by a total of 33,500 visitors, is now coming to an end. The next Elmia Husvagn Husbil will be arranged September 8–12, 2027.

Hjo is Destination of the Year Sweden 2026

Now it's decided! After a vote where visitors to Elmia Husvagn Husbil's website had their say, it is clear that Hjo is Destination of the Year Sweden 2026 – a destination that has a lot to offer, and where you feel welcome with a camping vehicle. The award was presented on Thursday at Elmia Husvagn Husbil in Jönköping, in front of an almost full Rydbergssal. Big congratulations Hjo!

The number of guest nights at Swedish campsites continues to increase

Camping accommodation continues to strengthen its position in Swedish summer tourism. During June and July, the number of guest nights increased by 3.9 percent compared to the peak year of 2025. At the same time, the industry maintains its position as the largest accommodation for European summer tourists visiting Sweden. This is shown by preliminary figures from the Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth.

Norway, Germany and the Netherlands – the three largest foreign markets for camping in Sweden – all increased during January–July. Guest nights from Norway increased by 3.9 percent, from Germany by 5.3 percent and from the Netherlands by 8.2 percent.

The growth means that camping is consolidating its position as one of the Swedish tourism industry's most important forms of accommodation. The development is taking place from an already high level: in 2025, a record 17.3 million guest nights were recorded at Swedish campsites.

Younger people are curious about caravanning – but want to try it first

Interest in mobile living remains high among younger people. In HRF's Attitude Survey 2026, 43 percent of Generation Z (born 1997–2012) could imagine taking a holiday in a caravan, and almost one in four has actively considered a caravan holiday in the last two years.

At the same time, younger people are open to several different forms of mobile living. So it is not necessarily a certain type of vehicle or an immediate purchase that attracts them, but the opportunity to try a more free way of vacationing.

Convenience is an important factor for 71 percent of Generation Z and price for 66 percent. This means that the dream of freedom needs to be combined with a convenient and economically manageable solution. It is also not uncommon to start with a used one. In this year's survey, three out of four of today's caravan owners stated that their first caravan was a used one.

Mobile tourism can bring increased revenue to Swedish destinations

Motorhome guests can be an important source of income for Swedish destinations. According to the HRF owner study 2026, a family traveling with a motorhome or caravan spends an average of 1,087 SEK per overnight stay, including camping or parking fees. The money goes to restaurants, shops, activities, fuel and other local services, among other things.

Now the Swedish Caravan and Motorhome Industry Association, HRF, wants to help municipalities and destinations become better at welcoming mobile travelers. A special destination checklist will be developed and three destinations will be selected as pilots. The focus is on clear information, signage and making it easy for visitors to find activities and attractions nearby – and thus have more reasons to stay longer.

Here the holiday fund lasts longer

The costs of restaurant visits, transportation and activities vary greatly between different travel destinations. This can have a significant impact on the total cost of the trip, especially for families with children and travelers who will be away for a longer period of time. Travel agency Ticket recommends seven travel destinations where the holiday budget will last longer in the fall and winter. 

1. Greece – look beyond Crete and Rhodes
For example, on Samos and Lefkada there are less tourist-dense resorts where both restaurant visits and other expenses on site can be lower.

2. Egypt – control costs with all-inclusive
Hurghada and Marsa Alam are great winter destinations. The wide range of all-inclusive hotels also makes it easy to plan your expenses.

3. Spain – choose Valencia over Barcelona
Valencia offers much of what attracts Barcelona – the pulse of a big city, beaches and a wide range of restaurants – but at a generally lower price.

4. Istanbul – discover the city in autumn
Istanbul offers shopping, restaurants and attractions at a lower cost than many other popular big cities.

5. Budapest – combine city life with thermal baths
I Budapest It is possible to combine restaurants, attractions and thermal baths at reasonable prices – choose an autumn holiday or Christmas market.

6. Poland – experience Krakow and Gdańsk
I Krakow and Gdańsk The money lasts longer than in many other European cities. Great for an autumn weekend or Christmas market.

7. Thailand – look beyond Phuket
Hua Hin generally has lower restaurant prices than Phuket and offers beach life, local markets and a wide range of restaurants.

Otobong Nkanga – first major exhibition in Sweden

In this autumn's exhibition at Malmö Konsthall we encounter the versatile artistry of Otobong Nkanga. The exhibition "I dreamt of you in colours", created in close collaboration with the artist herself, is the first large-scale presentation of her work in Sweden. The exhibition opens on Friday, October 9 at 7 pm.

Otobong Nkanga, who was born in Nigeria and lives in Belgium, has since the late 1990s tackled ecological themes and the relationship between the body and land in powerful works with a strong visual presence.

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