Sunvil sees Sweden bookings up 45% as Swedish krona slumps

Last week Scandinavia travel specialist Sunvil saw a 45% increase in holiday bookings to Sweden compared to the same period last year, as savvy travellers took advantage of the weak Swedish krona, which hit its lowest level since 2011 on Wednesday 29 August.

This comes ahead of the country’s historic elections on 9 September, where Swedes will decide who will succeed the Social Democrat-Green minority coalition of the prime minister, Stefan Löfven.

Sweden has been a desirable destination for years, but for many it has been unaffordable, until now. More and more Brits are coveting the Swedish laidback way of life, the effortless interior design and fashion, quirky food and the Swedes’ efforts to produce ethical and sustainable goods, along with their approach to life, or lagom, an ethos which helps them live in true balance.

Rachel Jelley, Marketing Manager for Sunvil, said: “We’ve certainly seen the popularity of Sweden grow as a holiday spot over the past few years, but the high price of hotels, dining and entertainment has always been a factor. Now that the krona has fallen, British holidaymakers will have around 8% more to spend, so they are seizing the opportunity to visit Sweden and discover its many wonderful delights.”

The surge in bookings has been driven by couples looking for a mix of culture and adventure, and families seeking safe, wholesome experiences for children in wonderful natural surroundings. There has also been an increase in those wishing to learn lost skills such as foraging, wilderness survival and outdoor cooking, and to teach their children these skills.

As Sweden offers so many attractions throughout the seasons, both winter and summer holidays have proved equally popular. Bucket-list experiences like the thrilling Northern Lights and the ICEHOTEL in Swedish Lapland have been booked for winter 2018, while those looking to see the culture of Sweden’s cities have booked week-long stays in Stockholm, Malmo and Gothenburg for summer 2019.

Three popular sample trips from Sunvil:

Christmas Market Break in Stockholm
Sunvil offers a three-night festive break to Stockholm during December in the heart of the Swedish capital, within easy reach of the main shopping district and many attractions, including the Old Town, Gamla Stan, with its distinct architecture and royal palaces, and Kungsträdgården, a popular park with outdoor cafés and an ice-skating rink during winter. There is plenty of opportunity to visit the city’s numerous Christmas markets, such as the one held in Skansen open-air museum, which dates back to 1903. The 48-hour Stockholm Pass, which is included in the price of Sunvil’s short breaks, gives complimentary access to more than 60 attractions, as well as free boat and bus tours. Guests may also opt to try a traditional festive Swedish smörgåsbordord buffet, laden with the likes of pickled herring, cold cuts, meat balls, cheeses and Jansson’s frestelse, a creamy potato and fish gratin. The cost is from £650 pp (two sharing), including return flights, private transfers, B&B accommodation and a 48-hour Stockholm Pass.

Explore Malmö and the Swedish Riviera 
For an unforgettable Scandinavian summer holiday in 2019, the south western corner of Sweden offers pastel-painted beach huts, miles of white sandy beaches and relaxed coastal towns. On this seven-night trip, explore the vibrant city of Malmö and its boutiques, restaurants, harbour and historic sights, relax on the beautiful beaches along the Swedish Riviera, and discover Sweden’s culture at the Foteviken Viking Museum and the Viking Fortress of Trelleborg. The price is from £934 pp (two sharing), including flights (London), seven nights’ B&B hotel accommodation, four days’ car hire and a 48-hour Skanetrafiken Pass.

Discover Gothenburg and its many islands
Explore the Swedish city of Gothenburg and its nearby southern archipelago, Södra Skärgården, on this five-night escape. Spend the first few days exploring the culture of Gothenburg, wandering around the old Haga district, lined with cosy cafés and boutique shops, visit Oscar Fredrick, the city’s most decorated church, and take a ride on the Gothenburg Wheel. Then, stay on the island of Styrsö, just 20 minutes from the city centre, with its beautiful woodland, sandy bays, fishing villages and sailing harbours making it the perfect base from which to explore the nearby islands of Vargö, Köpstadsö and Vrångö. A short break in Gothenburg costs from £804 pp (two sharing), including flights (London), five nights’ B&B accommodation, private transfers and a 48-hour Gothenburg Pass.

Press: For further information or high-res photography, please call Jackie Franklin at Travel PR on 020 8891 4440 or email j.franklin@travelpr.co.uk

Note to Editors: Award-winning Sunvil has pioneered many specialist destinations in its 48-year history, and has been at the forefront of environmental initiatives and good practice for nearly 30 years.