'Sweden has huge tourism potential': report
Published: 30 Dec 10 07:31 CET | Print version
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/31150/20101230/
Sweden's official tourism organ VisitSweden has mapped the country's potential as a tourist destination and found that 43 million people would like to pay a visit.
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But the company, which has been contracted by the Swedish state and Swedish business and has the responsibility to market the country overseas, argues that significant potential remains.
"The growth potential of Swedish tourism in the future exists amongst potential foreign visitors, such as active young couples from European cities. This is clearly shown by accommodation statistics over the last few years," said Thomas Brühl, CEO of VisitSweden.
Brühl argued that knowledge about Sweden internationally is on the increase, although competition for tourists is tough in an international perspective.
"The challenge for the Swedish tourism industry is to create a curiosity for Sweden which will result in concrete travel plans. That is what we plan to do with the help of efficient and unexpected marketing campaigns."
Among the attractions set to be used to tempt record numbers of tourists to Sweden include: dog-sled tours in Lappland, fashion shopping, "lifeseeing" in Stockholm and Gothenburg, as well as lobster safaris along Sweden's west coast.
"With a focus on long-term sustainability, Swedish tourism shall double its turnover by 2020," Thomas Brühl predicted, although underlined that as travellers become more savvy and worldly-wise Swedish tourism operators need to be better at meeting guest demands.
VisitSweden's analysis is based on interviews with a representative sample of people aged between 25 and 64 from Denmark, Finland, Norway, Germany, the Netherlands, Britain, France, Italy, Spain and the USA.
Respondents have answered the question "Do you have plans to visit Sweden on vacation within the next three years?"
What do you think? Leave your comment below.
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Plus, with the way the US economy and general trend toward fascism is going in this country, my family and I may look to seek political asylum in Sweden sometime in the future. Whereas Sweden maybe moving slightly to its right (Reinfeldt's coalition) it is nowhere near the coming wave of insanity in 2012 with the potential President Sarah Palin.
20+ years and I still do not understand the lack of positive attitude and action by kommunes about tourism.
Sometimes I fear that Sweden does not realise the magnificence of what it has...relatively low cost EU holidays in breathtaking countryside. Cosmopolitan cities of beauty and much interest.
It ain't no use having the potential if you haven't got the vision :) Must be all the trees get in the way....?
Sounds like you want the next 20 years in Dalsland to be French and Germans wandering up your pathway, 300 lakes clogged with tour boats, forests with trash as far as the eye can see, and fat sweaty tourist (about 12 per square metre). Be thankful for what you have
2. Since terrorism attack in Sweden, Sweden should pay more attention in keeping the safety in the country for tourists can be sure of their safety while they travel in Sweden.
This typifies exactly how Sweden sees itself and markets itself internationally. "We are a great country (as we keep telling everyone) and we live in a beautiful country, so WHY would people NOT want to visit"......and its the same with trying to lure international businesses to Sweden.."why would you NOT want to be here with all the top class infastructure we can offer you"....WHY?
--Because Sweden is just too expensive....and there is just way too much red tape (for businessness)....and by red tape I mean business and employee costs.
Exactly! Spread the word: Sweden is a terrible place...everything is too expensive, it's always cold and the food is rotgut. Don't travel there....leave it nice and pristine for me.
Seems like with recent events, it also has Terrorist potential : )
However, The Winter has brought quite a bit of snow to the northern region, which should make for some great snow sking.
oh yes it's lovely otherwise.
I am pleased to you wish to keep Sweden all for yourself and Tourists-rein. I, for one, would not set foot in any EUrabian country, Sweden included, because of the EU pro-Jihadist and anti-Israel policies. Any country that sucks up to Hamas and the PA will never see one cent of my tourist dollar.
I think its good to have tourists, but I think they need to be careful here because obviously Swede's love their country and their environment and would not take too kindly to tourists coming in and ruining it. And now that I live here, I feel the exact same way. And Sweden definitely does not want what happens to other countries (ex. Greece) which a lot of income is based on tourism only.
If you read the news, then you both know just how "safe" Sweden is. For example, See article "Anti-Semitic attack in Goetenborg", at http://swedenisrael.blogspot.com/2010/12/anti-semitic-attack-in-goteborg.html.
I am not Jewish, but I have learnt from history that a place that is unsafe for Jews, soon becomes unsafe for all. So when I read that "Wiesenthal Center on Malmö: Jews Must Exercise Extreme Caution", as in
http://swedenisrael.blogspot.com/2010/12/wiesenthal-center-on-malmo-jews-must.html
then I know to keep out of such a country. And then there is the latest terrorist attack in Stockholm... Yes, Sweden has become a proud member of EUrabia...
While it is true that Obama wants to stifle freedom of speech, has ruined foreign relations and tripled the debt, "trend to fascism" is a bit strong, no?
On precisely what grounds do you intend to apply for political asylum in Sweden?
Apply the money saved toward lowering the tax on alcohol in restaurants, so that visitors can have a glass of wine for less than 100-125 kronor.
When we talk about tourism, its not only about visiting museums or clubs but its more about people and culture.It is little bit surprising to sense ignorance in Swedes about other culture and communities.I realize that people here live with preconcieved notion and they have really no clue about whats really happening in the world.
I guess this is the least we can expect as a tourist!
I have been to other parts of Scandinavia like Finalnd & Denmark. But i am sad to say that i would love to visit these places rather than coming to Sweden.
There is way too much focus upon the obvious winter/santa centred tourism, which the Finns have pretty much got sewn up anyway. Sweden is at its most glorious in the summer. It is not especially expensive these days, the eurozone has seen to that, but VisitSweden have not got themselves in place to exploit that fact.
I watch what they do closely, and with some amusement. Still, I'm sure they are happily picking up the government cheque. If they are meeting targets, then the targets are obviously set at pitifully modest levels.
Individual concerns such as Treehotel have made a much bigger splash in the UK than anything the national/regional agencies have come up with. Have any of you seen the Swedish Lapland Lotto game on Facebook? It's a hoot.
Still, this is Sweden we are talking about. I can't see much changing, and those regions that really could benefit from increased tourism, like Swedish Lapland for instance, will have to find other solutions to their economic difficulties.
That's unless someone in the Swedish Government wakes up and starts asking some questions.
Yup Obama has really ruined those good foreign relations that Bubba set up; LOL
It is generally agreed that his greatness weakness, apart from skirt-chasing, was foreign affairs.
/sigh
But OK, Asia doesn't exist in your world-view; so we'll stick to Europe: In his naivete and arrogance, Obama managed to offend Prime Minister Brown; Angela Merkel of Germany does the eye-roll when O. talks; President Sarkozy called him "dangerously deranged." I could go on, but here, read and learn: "Europe's disappointment with Obama laid bare"
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/disappointed-europe-fears-deepening-rift-with-barack-obama-administration/story-e6frg6so-1225892066404
Where ( apart from Fox) is the evidence that the US relationship with Japan, China, Indonesia ( where Obama lived) and India was screwed up by Obama.
You really live in a fantasy world where everybody in the whole wide world Luuuved G.W.Bush.
Get real and accept that Obama has been steadily undoing the harm that 8 years of Bush did to the standing of the USA in the world.
Is sputtering "Fox" the best you've got? FYI, Fox news is not available in Sweden. Do you ever get anything right?
My earlier source was an Australian paper. This one was a U.K. paper:
"President Barack Obama has recently completed the most successful foreign policy tour since Napoleon's retreat from Moscow. You name it, he blew it."
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/geraldwarner/9441479/Barack_Obama_President_Pantywaist__new_surrender_monkey_on_the_block/
Do you have any sources for your claims? Or just barstool sputter?
Unfortunately I belong to that extravagant, eccentric, group of peeps that feels a good thing is worth sharing. I don't remember saying I wasn't thankful - just that I was perfectly happy to share the magnificence.
Though I can perfectly well understand your US point of view.....?
As for the 'other EU nations here in Sweden', most in my area that have bought holiday homes treasure and respect the countryside, the lifestyle and the community. Maybe it's just an 'inbred old culture' thing....!
Fashion shopping? You do not need to visit Sweden to shop at H&M.
"Lifeseeing"????
Dear Official Tourist Authority,
Fire yourselves.