Over 150,000 visitors are expected during the summer – and Dutch are the nationality that is increasing the most.

Two out of three mountain destinations and mountain stations report that the number of foreign visitors has increased since 2013, according to a new survey from the Swedish Mountain Safety Council. Among the respondents are destinations such as Åre, Sälen and STF's largest mountain stations, of which six out of ten estimate that the number of visitors will increase this season as well.

But the rapidly growing tourism industry is also placing stricter demands on safety, points out Per-Olov Wikberg, national coordinator at the Mountain Safety Council at the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency – many are unprepared for the rapid weather changes.

”"Many also overestimate their ability to navigate the sometimes complicated mountain terrain," he says in a press release.

For a few years now, a book with safety information in English has been available in most overnight cabins.

”"The police mountain rescue service receives a number of alarms every year via other countries' rescue services due to the fact that foreign visitors do not always know how to contact the mountain rescue service."”

The Dutch are the nationality that is increasing the most and in addition to the wilderness experience, there is also an increased general interest in Sweden, according to the respondents.

Source: TT