Summer tourism in Kronoberg has already recovered from the pandemic. During June, July and August, the total number of guest nights was slightly above the record year of 2019. It is foreign guest nights that account for the increase, while Swedish guest nights have declined slightly compared to 2021.
Kronoberg is extremely popular with foreign visitors and has the largest percentage of all counties, although the absolute numbers are low due to available capacity. Now the situation is back to normal, that is, 60 % foreign guest nights and 40 % Swedish. However, they are unevenly distributed across the county - there are small distances between the areas dominated by foreign visitors and those where Swedes spend the most nights. Destinations Åsnen, Ljungby and Markaryd have a large proportion of foreign guest nights, while Växjö, Glasriket and Älmhult have a larger proportion of Swedish guests during the summer.
Eric Wickell is the new CEO of Destination Småland:
– It is gratifying to start when the numbers have turned upwards again and to continue working with the development in the county. However, we are aware that the tourism industry is once again severely affected by rising electricity prices and interest rates, as well as difficulties in finding competent personnel. However, we want to do what we can to promote development.
The prioritized international markets are Germany, the Netherlands and Denmark. For many years, most visitors have come from Germany and account for 66% of all foreign guest nights. However, the Dutch interest in Kronoberg is a sunny story that stands out compared to surrounding counties. From almost 0 guest nights in 2020 to 34,000 in 2022, which is a record. On the other hand, Danish visits have not recovered, but are below the 2019 level. When it comes to accommodation in the summer, Kronoberg is a camping county with 45% of overnight stays compared to 30% in hotels. For foreign tourism, the proportion is even higher. For example, 75% of Dutch people camp. Many of the campsites are found in Tingsryd municipality, which is also the largest in the summer with 155,000 guest nights and the entire county has 529,000.
The destinations Glasriket and Åsnen have different visitor structures but both are increasing. Glasriket has 63 % Swedish guest nights. For Åsnen the situation is reversed with 65 % foreign guests, Tingsryd municipality even had 75 %. During July and August there was a lack of capacity as everything was fully booked in Åsnen. With more capacity the increase would probably have been greater.
Cathrine Rydström is marketing manager and works with the international markets:
– We have worked actively to create interest in foreign markets throughout the pandemic period and it is fantastic that we are now coming back with news. It is still our nature, freedom and activities that attract the most and now there is a pent-up need to travel. We also see that there is a lack of capacity in some places, while other places and seasons are available. This is something we have to work on in marketing. But above all, more capacity is needed, preferably in the form of good campsites.
Source: Statistics Sweden/The Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Development, processed by Tourism in Skåne.
Reported figures apply to the summer – June, July and August.
The statistics are preliminary for the current year. The final figures will not be published until April 2023. Statistics Sweden produces the statistics monthly on behalf of the Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth. They consist of guest nights at commercial establishments – hotels, holiday villages, hostels, campsites and commercially brokered cottages and apartments.
Private rental of cabins, camping sites or day visits are not included, so the number of guest nights is mainly interesting for comparison year-on-year.
Funny Press Release.
