Scandinavia top summer destination: ‘Rather a sporty hike in the mountains than drinking coma on the Spanish costas’ | Interior

For example, Buro Scanbrit sees ‘a nice growth’ in the number of bookings to countries in the north this summer, compared to last year. Especially tours in Norway and Denmark are popular. Trips to Scotland and Ireland are also much more popular than a year ago, says a spokesman.

The online pages of the ANWB about Northern Europe are visited more often than before, says a spokesperson. “Scandinavia has become a mainstream summer holiday destination.”

Industry peer Nordic recognizes the increased demand. And where previously mainly families and seniors sought peace and space in the north, there are now also more teenagers, says director Hugo van Drie. “We see a younger target group who would rather go on a sporty hike in the mountains than drink a coma in a bar street on the Spanish costas.” According to Nordic, more people seem to need such an ‘experience holiday’. Sunweb Group also sees this. “More Sunweb customers choose the Alps in the summer than a few years ago. This goes hand in hand with a rising trend and popularity of more active holidays.”

Nevertheless, sun, sea and beach remain popular ingredients for many Dutch people for their upcoming summer holiday. In April, a representative ANWB member survey showed that almost a third of Dutch holidaymakers opt for a holiday in Southern Europe this year.

“Many people go on holiday for the sun and the Mediterranean atmosphere,” says a spokesperson for travel organization TUI, which saw flight holidays to Spain, Greece and Turkey sell well this year. When it comes to car holidays, Denmark leads the list, followed by Lake Garda in Italy.

At Sunweb Group, which includes the brands Eliza was here, GOGO and Primavera in addition to Sunweb, popular products include the Greek and Spanish islands and Turkey. Corendon also sees that the number of bookings to Southern Europe is going well. A spokesman says that cruises are also becoming more popular, not only in the Mediterranean, but also to the Norwegian fjords, England and Scotland.