A Summer of Tourism with Many Faces in Örebro
The summer of 2024 in Örebro, Sweden, has been a mixed bag for the tourism industry. While some businesses experienced record-breaking success, others faced significant challenges. The main factor influencing these diverse outcomes was the economic situation, with many Swedes having less disposable income due to inflation and increased mortgage rates.
Impact on Family Tourism
Björn Fransson, Head of Destination Development at Örebrokompaniet, noted: “This has particularly affected the spending patterns of families with children. Many have opted for cheaper alternatives in everything from vacation choices to what they order at ice cream kiosks and restaurants.”
Higher-priced attractions targeting families, such as Örebro Castle, saw a decline in visitors, with families showing the most significant decrease.
Challenges for Camping Industry
The camping sector faced the toughest challenges, with a 10% decrease in guest nights for “other forms of accommodation” (predominantly camping) in Örebro during June-August. This decline was attributed to:
- Swedes’ tighter budgets
- Rainy and cold weeks during summer
- A significant drop in Norwegian visitors due to unfavorable exchange rates
Success Stories
Despite the challenges, some attractions thrived:
- Free or low-cost activities like Wadköping and several operators on Vinön island had an excellent summer, some even reaching record levels
- Hotels in Örebro reported a normal or even very good summer, with a 5% increase in guest nights during the three summer months
- Attractions and accommodations catering to a more affluent, interest-rate-insensitive audience fared much better
Overall Statistics
During June, July, and August 2024, Örebro municipality recorded a total of 307,381 guest nights, a 2% decrease (nearly 7,000 guest nights) compared to the same period in 2023. Hotels, accounting for almost 60% of guest nights, saw a 5% increase, outperforming the national average.
For more information, contact Björn Fransson, Head of Destination Development and Hospitality at Örebrokompaniet, tel. 070-796 74 67.
