Many Swedes have now received news regarding this year's tax refund. The hotel and travel search site momondo.se has gauged the Swedes' travel desire, with data showing that flight searches to European destinations have increased by approximately 43 percent compared to the previous month.
This could indicate that many Swedes are willing to spend their tax refund on travel, and that holiday planning is really taking off.
– In addition to a general increase in flight searches, our data also indicates which destinations will be popular this summer. Many classic destinations are on the list, but we are also seeing greater interest in places like Amsterdam, says Per Christiansen, travel expert at momondo.se
A recent survey also suggests that a little extra cash in the till can inspire travel planning, with more than half (58 per cent) of Swedish travellers stating that they prefer to spend their money on travel rather than on things such as home renovations (16 %), electronics (26 %) and clothes and shoes (38 %)*. The desire to invest in experiences and adventures may indicate that tax refunds provide financial relief, enabling more people to realise their travel dreams. It may also be a particularly welcome boost for the 23 per cent who, according to the survey, never set aside money in a specific holiday budget. Whilst on their travels, Swedish travellers prefer to spend their money on food and drink or accommodation, and more than a third see the opportunity to explore new places and immerse themselves in new cultures as the main reason for travelling*. However, it seems that many Swedes still choose to travel to well-known destinations. Among the destinations trending among Swedish travellers over the past month, Antalya in Turkey – home to plenty of ancient sights – tops the list, followed by Amsterdam in the Netherlands, which offers, amongst other things, a rich cultural life.
Top five trending destinations compared to last month
| Destination | Approximate increase in flight searches compared to last month |
| Antalya, Turkey | 87 % |
| 2. Amsterdam, Netherlands | 69 % |
| 3. Paris, France | 53 % |
| 4. Athens, Greece | 52 % |
| 5. Barcelona, Spain | 50 % |
By acting proactively and planning in advance, travellers not only save money – they also minimise the stress and uncertainty that can arise from leaving things to the last minute. On momondo.se, you'll also find the “When to Fly” tool, which helps travellers find the best time to travel based on departure location, destination, and trip length.
About the data.
The data is based on flight searches made on momondo.se between 4 – 10 March 2024 for departures from a Swedish airport between 4 March 2024 – 4 September 2024, compared to the same search period the previous month. Percentages are approximate.
An online survey was conducted by PureSpectrum on behalf of momondo with 1000 Swedish respondents who are planning to travel in the next 3 years. The data was collected between 19-25 January 2024.
According to the press release.
