According to a new Sifo survey from the travel company TUI, almost half of Swedes say they plan to travel abroad in the coming year. The latest interest rate announcement and more stable household finances are behind Swedes' increased desire to travel, according to the travel company.
In the survey conducted by Kantar Media, 46 percent of Swedes say they plan to travel abroad in the next twelve months. This is an increase of four percentage points compared to the same time last year.
– A year ago, more people answered that they did not know whether they would travel in the coming year or not. The global situation looked different then, there was greater uncertainty around, for example, interest rates, cost increases and inflation. Now, instead, we are seeing several positive signals that are making more households dare to book new trips, says Dian Martinez Valencia, communications manager at TUI.
The results from the Sifo survey are in line with the booking situation at TUI ahead of the summer.
– We see that summer travel bookings have increased by a couple of percent compared to the same time a year ago. The classics Cyprus, Rhodes, Crete, Mallorca and Turkey are the most booked, says Dian Martinez Valencia, communications manager at TUI.
More people travel at the beginning and end of summer – ”Bargain right now”
The Sifo survey also shows that a majority of Swedes – 61 percent – say they do not plan to change their travel plans in the coming year due to the economy. At the same time, TUI sees some differences in booking patterns this summer compared to last year.
– This year, more people are choosing to travel at the beginning and end of summer. Among our travelers, we see an increase of an average of ten percent in those traveling in June and September compared to last year. The price is probably a contributing factor, it is generally more affordable to travel before and after the school holidays. Right now, for example, there are bargains on last-minute trips to several popular destinations in the Mediterranean, says Dian Martinez Valencia, communications manager at TUI.
Top 5: Where Swedes travel this summer
1. Cyprus
2. Crete
3. Rhodes
4. Majorca
5. Turkey (Antalya Coast)
About the survey
The survey was conducted in Kantar Media's Sifopanel via an online survey and with a representative sample. A total of 1,055 people aged 18–79 participated in the survey. The survey was conducted on May 6-15, 2024.
Are you planning to travel abroad (outside the Nordic countries) on holiday in the next 12 months?
| Total N = 1055 | |
| Yes (net) | 46 % |
| Yes, in May | 6 % |
| Yes, in June | 9 % |
| Yes, in July | 11 % |
| Yes, in August | 8 % |
| Yes, in September | 9 % |
| Yes, in October | 7 % |
| Yes, this winter/spring | 13 % |
| No, I won’t be travelling outside the Nordic region at all over the next 12 months | 36 % |
| Don’t know/haven’t decided yet | 19 % |
Will you change your travel plans in the next 12 months? due to the economic situation, if so how?
| TotalN = 1055 | |
| Yes (net) | 33 % |
| Yes, I will go on vacation in Sweden instead of abroad. | 11 % |
| Yes, I will travel on fewer and/or shorter trips | 11 % |
| Yes, I will not travel. | 8 % |
| Yes, I will choose a more affordable destination abroad | 5 % |
| Yes, I will choose a more affordable accommodation and/or means of transportation | 4 % |
| No, it does not affect my travel plans for the next twelve months | 61 % |
| Don't know | 7 % |
