Stockholm was the city in Europe that lost the fewest visitors during the pandemic, a new Visa study shows. This year, the capital is expected to welcome even more visitors – while Swedes themselves are expected to increase their travel abroad. Here are 5 tips for making secure payments when you're traveling.
Openness was a Swedish watchword during the pandemic. It also affected the number of travelers visiting Stockholm, according to a new study from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and Visa. The study compared 82 international cities and concluded that Stockholm was the city in Europe that lost the least number of visitors in percentage terms during 2020 (minus 42 percent).[1]
For example, London lost 79 percent of visitor revenue during the same period.
As we begin to travel again, Stockholm is a city that is also well positioned to reach pre-pandemic levels. For example, the share of business travelers in 2023 is expected to reach 38 percent of all trips to Stockholm (the share before the pandemic was 43 percent).
– It’s great that so many people want to visit Stockholm! But if you haven’t traveled in a while, it might be good to remind yourself how to protect your payments when you book travel and are at your destination. Visa’s payment network is available for payments in 99.999 percent[2] of all payment occasions. Our safety nets and security measures help maintain security, says Philip Konopik, Head of Nordics at Visa.
But it’s not just Stockholm that can expect more visitors. Swedes themselves are also ready to start traveling abroad again. In 2022, the number of trips increased by 17 percent compared to the previous year, and this year, travel is expected to increase even further.[3]
A well-known risk factor in travel is payments you make in connection with the trip. Flights, hotels, activities and transportation are examples of things that must be booked in advance where the organizer often asks for your credit card number as security.
Even if you feel confident in spotting fraud attempts, figures from Visa show that 3 out of 4 people (73 percent) are most likely to miss red flags via digital purchases.
Here are 5 tips for travelers to avoid fraud and make safer payments:
- Protect personal information. This could include passwords, card details and Bank ID logins.
- Double check if the travel agency, hotel or carrier seems legitimate before you book. Google it, ask around among friends and check with the Swedish Consumer Agency to see if there is any listing for the company.
- Do not click on links until you are absolutely sure where these links will take you.
- If a company doesn't require proper authentication when making a purchase, it could be a sign that it's not a reputable company. Avoid.
- When you pay with your Visa card, you always have purchase protection, both on Swedish and foreign sites. For example, you can get your money back* if you have been the victim of online fraud or if the airline you are traveling with goes bankrupt before departure.[4]
* Your right to compensation may be limited by the bank's terms and conditions.
According to the press release.
