New figures from Statistics Sweden / Tillväxtverket show that the first three quarters of 2019 were the best ever for Swedish campsites. During the first nine months of the year, the number of guest nights at Swedish campsites increased by 6 percent to 16.1 million.
– The fact that we are reaching the record level from 2018 after only three quarters is fantastic. We see a long-term trend that is rooted in a strong interest in Sweden as a travel destination and camping as a holiday accommodation, says Peter Jansson, acting CEO of the industry organization SCR Svensk Camping.
While the industry looks back on another strong summer season, many of Sweden's campsites are preparing for a new winter season. It is a season that is becoming increasingly popular among guests and has grown significantly in recent years. Between 2018 and 2019, guest nights during December to April increased by 13 percent, to 1.9 million. The increased use of motorhomes is one of the reasons why more people are experiencing the Swedish winter with the campsite as a base. Of the campsites that are members of the industry organization SCR Svensk Camping, approximately 160 are open year-round.
During the summer months of June to August, just over 40 percent of all guest nights in Sweden are at a campsite. A majority of Sweden's tourists from Norway, Germany and the Netherlands stay at campsites during their holiday in Sweden.
– The industry's long-term investments in accommodation, quality and marketing have yielded results. There is great interest, which we see not least in the fact that our digital benefits and check-in card now has 250,000 users. We are now looking forward with great confidence to a 2020 that has every chance of being another top year for Swedish tourism and for Swedish camping, says Peter Jansson.
Facts
The number of guest nights at Sweden's campsites amounted to 16,145,000 during the period January to September 2019. In the corresponding period in 2018, the number of guest nights amounted to 15,236,000. Preliminary figures from Statistics Sweden / The Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth.
