The tourism industry in municipalities such as Borgholm, Varberg and Gotland is among those hardest hit by the tourism crisis.
Here, up to 80-90 percent of the number of guest nights is at risk of disappearing.
”"Unfortunately, the only question now is whether this year's tourist summer will be bad or catastrophic," says Jonas Siljhammar, CEO of Visita.
The industry organization Visita has produced statistics on which municipalities have the largest share of accommodation revenue during the summer. Borgholm stands out with almost nine out of ten guest nights in hotels, hostels and campsites during the three summer months. The summer municipality had almost 900,000 guest nights during last year's peak season.
”"Tourism is extremely important for Öland. Our tourist revenues in a year are approximately 1.5 billion and the municipality's tax revenues are 175 million kronor," says Johan Göransson, head of Öland's Tourist Office.
Every fifth company on Öland works in the hospitality industry.
”"If the tourists don't come, our small businesses will be hit hard. But I hope people can see the benefits of vacationing in Sweden. We have 400 kilometers of beaches and 22 campsites with plenty of space," he says.
”"However, the event industry is already affected. Many events and concerts have been forced to cancel."”
Measured as a share of hotel and accommodation revenues, municipalities such as Orust, Vimmerby and Skara also rank high with just over 70 percent of guest nights in the summer. If popular attractions such as Skara Sommarland and Astrid Lindgren's World in Vimmerby remain closed or can only accommodate a limited number of guests, hotels, hostels and campsites are left with empty rooms.
Here, it is primarily the ban on gatherings of more than 50 people that is closing down the business.
”"Many smaller municipalities are being hit very hard. There are many entrepreneurs here who have more or less their entire annual turnover during the summer," says Jonas Siljhammar, CEO of Visita.
”"Unfortunately, the only question now is whether this year's tourist summer will be bad or catastrophic. That depends, among other things, on the travel restrictions."”
Looking at the number of guest nights during the holiday period, it is the municipalities of Gotland, Varberg and Strömstad that stand out with just over half a million guest nights. Norrbotten's bathing paradise Piteå also ranks high with just over 300,000 guest nights, as do Tanum, Västervik and Simrishamn.
An important announcement going forward will be when the borders with our neighboring countries open.
”"It's an important piece of the puzzle. Nordic visitors are incredibly important for, for example, a large part of western Sweden," says Jonas Siljhammar.
This spring's bankruptcy results show that the tourism industry is already being hit hard.
”"The level of bankruptcies remains high and bankruptcies are predicted to double in May compared to last year, even if the pace of bankruptcies is slowing down," says Richard Damberg, economist at UC, in a press release.
Municipalities with the most guest nights during the summer
Guest nights during June-August. Hotels, hostels, holiday villages and camping.
| SHARE, PERCENTAGE | NUMBER | |
|---|---|---|
| Borgholm | 88 | 891943 |
| Orust | 79 | 111588 |
| Soderkoping | 77 | 83120 |
| Vimmerby | 76 | 196629 |
| Mörbylånga | 76 | 279184 |
| Tingsryd | 75 | 143690 |
| Sotenäs | 75 | 280167 |
| Solvesborg | 72 | 105874 |
| Karlsborg | 72 | 70575 |
| Crowd | 71 | 115036 |
| The whole kingdom | 45 | 28326463 |
Source: di.se
