According to tradition, Norwegian families pack their suitcases at Christmas and head for warmer regions, with both red cabbage and medister cakes in their luggage.
But despite expensive times and rising interest rates, it turns out that even more Norwegians flee the country at Christmas, compared to previous years.
Beatriz Rivera, communications manager at travel agency Apollo, tells Dagbladet that she thinks the reason may be that Christmas Eve falls on a Sunday.
– There is extra high pressure on Christmas trips this year, compared to last year. It probably has something to do with the fact that Christmas Eve falls on a Sunday this year, and that the majority of our departures are on Saturdays. This means you don’t have to travel out on Christmas Eve itself, and only need to take two days off to have a wonderful and fulfilling week in the heat, says Rivera.
Norwegians’ Christmas favourite
She also says that Apollo has a sales increase of 25 per cent compared to last year’s Christmas departures.
And there is no doubt which destination reigns supreme.
– It is Gran Canaria that is the sunny favourite, followed by Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Sharm El Sheikh and the Emirates.
This is how the 2024 holiday will be
She continues:
– There is a good mix of adults, singles and families who choose to celebrate Christmas under the palm trees. What we see, however, is that families are primarily lured to Egypt and the Emirates, while the adults traditionally choose the Canary Islands.
Increase compared to 2019
The travel company TUI Norge also sees an increase from the previous year. Communications manager Anne Mørk-Løwengreen tells Dagbladet that it is a fantastic Christmas present.
– When we compare sales with the last four weeks of 2019 – the last normal year before the pandemic – sales of Christmas and New Year trips have actually increased by ten percent in the same period. The summer heat disappeared quickly this year, and winter came particularly early, so there are probably many who need an extra dose of sun and warmth to survive the long winter in Norway, says the communications manager, and points out that the figures apply to the whole of December.
– The Christmas tree from hell
When it comes to charters, it is also the Canary Islands that dominate at TUI – with Gran Canaria, Tenerife and Lanzarote in the top three.
– It is obviously lovely to be Norwegian in the Canary Islands in winter and especially around Christmas and New Year. There are many regulars, and many travel both in winter and in summer to their favorite island, says Mørk-Løwengreen.
– More often chooses all inclusive
Compared to last year, bookings for all winter travel destinations on charter are increasing this year, including Cape Verde, she explains.
– It’s fun that more and more Norwegians are discovering the archipelago in the Atlantic just off the coast of Senegal. The life motto “no stress” fits well after a hectic Christmas celebration at home, adds Mørk-Løwengreen.
Among Norwegians who want a white Christmas at home in Norway, a slightly longer itinerary applies.
– Lacks common sense
– Among those who choose to travel after Christmas Eve is over, we see that there is a clear tendency to choose more exotic destinations such as Thailand, Zanzibar and the Dominican Republic, says Mørk-Løwengreen, and adds:
– In order to have good budget control, we choose to a greater extent than previously all inclusive, where all food and drink is pre-paid. Or an apartment hotel, where you can cook a lot of the food yourself. So we still want to travel, but are more price conscious. Value for money is very important.
When asked whether TUI has set the price for travel, the communications manager replies that:
– In general, our prices for travel this winter have increased by five percent in Europe, according to TUI Groups financial report which was presented last week. As for Norway, we do not have local figures to present. The main factors affecting our prices are fuel costs and inflation.
Wing on par with last year
Marie-Anne Zachrisson, manager of the travel company Ving, says that they offer exactly the same number of trips this year as last year.
– A total of approximately 7,000 Norwegians will celebrate Christmas at one of our destinations. The very, very most of them will be in Gran Canaria – but many will also be in Thailand, Cape Verde, Tenerife or in a big city in Europe, says Zachrisson, and continues:
Southern Christmas until 1500
– The flights to the exotic destinations of Thailand and Cape Verde are sold out, but there are still a few places left to the Canary Islands from various departure airports throughout Norway. Sales are thus on a par with last year, says Zachrisson in Ving.
2023-12-13 20:12:38
#Norwegians #celebrate
