Many people were on the move during Easter. In particular, travel to the mountains increased significantly compared to last year, according to statistics from Telia.
Using mobile data, the movement patterns of Swedes can be analyzed, and recent statistics show that long-distance travel during Easter (Maundy Thursday–Easter Day) increased sharply compared to the corresponding long weekend in 2020. For ski resorts, this is an increase of several hundred percent.
”"We are seeing a large increase in mobility compared to last Easter, but that is perhaps not so surprising since the restrictions were very strict last year and many ski resorts were closed then," says Kristofer Ågren, head of the data analysis business area at Telia.
Among other things, listed Skistar chose to close its facilities during Easter last year to reduce the risk of spreading infection.
For example, travel from Stockholm to Jämtland increased by 960 percent compared to last year. Travel from Västra Götaland to Dalarna increased by 499 percent and travel from Skåne to Jämtland by 253 percent.
Even in comparison with Easter 2019, travel to the mountains increased.
”"This can probably be explained by the fact that more people chose to take a holiday abroad at the time and that is still not an option," says Kristofer Ågren.
Gotland also sees an increase compared to 2020 of 350 percent from the Stockholm region. However, this is a decrease of 36 percent compared to 2019.
But even though the mountains attracted many people this year, long-distance travel is decreasing overall compared to Easter 2019. A total of 36 percent fewer long-distance trips were made from Västra Götaland this year compared to 2019. For Stockholm and Skåne, the corresponding figures are –22 and –43 percent, respectively.
”"It's a significant decrease. Overall, we travel less, but we travel more to the mountains. Most people are still staying at home and may choose to take shorter excursions and trips," says Kristofer Ågren.
Ahead of the weekend, Skistar CEO Stefan Sjöstrand said that the number of visitors during Easter appeared to be normal, and that the company's precautionary measures had been given the thumbs up by the authorities.
Source: TT-di.
