By: The editors | Source: press material
Monday again! This means, as usual, travel news here at FREEDOMtravel. We’ve gone through this week’s batch of press releases and presented the latest news – in a short and easy-to-understand format!
First Camp has an annual turnover of more than two billion kroner
What started in 2017 as a Swedish challenger with around 20 destinations and a turnover of SEK 120 million, has developed in just eight years into Northern Europe’s largest player in camping and resorts, with 91 destinations and a turnover of SEK 2.1 billion.
At the end of 2025, First Camp reached a new milestone; total sales in the past twelve months amounted to more than two billion. There is growth in three areas:
- Record-breaking operational development
- Further expansion through acquisitions
- Record CAPEX program in 2025 (investments in existing destinations.)
Camping.info Award 2026 – best campsites in Europe
More than 62,000 camping enthusiasts have cast their votes and the best campsites in Europe for 2026 have been selected. camping.info, Europe’s leading camping platform with more than 135 million page views annually, has honored the 110 best-rated campsites (out of 23,000). The prestigious audience award is based on more than 120,000 authentic reviews and is being awarded for the 15th time. Top 10 campsites in Europe 2026:
- Camping Sonnenland LutzmannsburgLutzmannsburg, Austria
- Camping park KühlungsbornKuhlungsborn, Germany
- Lyxcamping SchlosshofLana, Italian
- Falkensteinercamping GrubhofSt. Martin near Lofer, Austria
- Camp MondSeeLandMondsee/Tiefgraben, Austria
- Rosenfelder Strand Ostsee CampingGrube, Germany
- Of course BRIGHT. Camping & AparthotelFugen, Austria
- Campsite Brunner am SeeDobriach, Austria
- Camping MurinselGrosslobming, Austria
- Camping EcktannenWaren (Müritz) spa, Germany
The full list is available at www.camping.info/award. In addition, ten campsites will be honored that are the best in their country (but not on the 110 list):
- Bosnia and Herzegovina: Autocamp Green Park, Mostar
- Denmark: Vestbirk Camping, Vejle
- Greece: Camping Gythion Bay, Peloponnese
- Croatia: Falkensteiner Camping Zadar, Dalmatian
- Montenegro: Camping Utjeha, Bar
- The Netherlands: Capfun Het Winkel, Overijssel
- Poland: CAMP na wydmie (CAMP on the dune), Pomerania
- Slovenia: Camping Šobec, Julian Alps
- Spain: Camping Benisol, Valencia
- Sweden: Långsjön Cottages & Camping, Götaland
This is how Swedes will travel in 2026
Hotel and travel search site momondo caught up with Swedish travelers and came up with ten trends that are expected to shape the 2026 travel year. In the 2026 edition of momondo What The Future Report One thing is clear: travel remains a high priority. 77 percent of Swedish travelers indicate that they are planning a trip abroad in 2026. At the same time, the focus is shifting – to new destinations with more authenticity, nature experiences and more elements of conscious luxury.
- Not drawn yet – The next IT destination is the one you haven’t seen in your feed yet. The trend is reflected by the hashtag #hiddengems.
- Gåshuds outings – Travelers are looking for experiences that make them feel something extra: northern lights, solar eclipses, waterfalls…
- Well-being is luxury – Interest in wellness is growing and by 2025 the use of #wellnesstravel on TikTok will have increased by 150 percent.
- Guide: AI – Today, 57 percent of Swedish travelers use AI for inspiration and planning.
- Book now, pay later – When budgets are tight, flexible payment methods play an increasingly important role in travel planning.
- Small destinations, big experiences – Big city stress is gone and small town charm is in.
- Destination: event – 91 percent of Swedes plan to travel for a major event in 2026.
- Relaxed travel – For 71 percent of Swedes, relaxation is at the top of the wish list. The hashtag #slowtravel is on the rise.
- Minimaster – By 2025, the use of #weekendgetaways on TikTok will increase by 60 percent.
- Quiet adventures – Almost every fourth Swedish traveler plans to combine lighter adventures with relaxation this year.
New report: Poor conditions for elephants in Thailand
A new report from World animal protection shows that 69 percent of elephants in Thailand’s tourism industry still live in poor or unacceptable conditions. Despite the increased awareness and decline in elephant riding, the majority of elephants are still subjected to brutal training, restricted movement and stressful activities.
The report Bred to entertain based on an assessment of 2,849 elephants across 236 operations. Only 5 percent of elephants live in the best possible conditions. A positive trend is that the demand for elephant riding is decreasing. At the same time, the researchers warn of a new and growing problem: activities marketed as “ethical,” such as bathing elephants or “keeping elephants for a day.” World Animal Protection is now calling on the travel industry to stop marketing experiences with direct contact with wildlife.
Hotel gym will be the top priority for travelers in 2026
Hotels.com now reveals a global increase in demand for high-quality hotel fitness facilities, reflecting a growing desire among tourists and business travelers alike to maintain and improve their health routines while traveling. Global has positive reviews for hotel gyms and
fitness centers on Hotels.com increased 15 percent compared to the previous year. Here are some hotels that offer gyms and treatments:
- Six senses KaplankayaBodrum, Turkey – Health checks, Watsu pools and body composition analysis.
- Equinox HotelNew York City, USA – Access to the membership gym with pool, sundeck, pilates studios and personal trainers.
- SIRO One Za’abeelDubai, United Arab Emirates – Cryo treatments, boxing, pilates and fitness suites.
- One&Only PortonoviDenovici, Montenegro – Detox, recovery and fitness boost with health experts.
- Bulgari HotelTokyo, Japan – Gym and training that combines traditional methods with AI and digital innovations.
Fewer squeeze days require more planning
2026 is one of those years that requires more foresight. The year has a total of 13 official holidays, but some of them fall on weekends. When fewer holidays fall on weekdays, holiday planning becomes more important. Here, travel agency Ticket guides you on how to be free for as long as possible without wasting vacation days:
- Easter: Good Friday falls on Friday April 3 and Easter Monday falls on Monday April 6. Take a vacation: Monday March 30 to Thursday April 2 or Tuesday April 7 to Friday April 10.
- First of May: May 1 falls on Friday, May 1, which makes for a natural long weekend. You can also take a holiday: Monday April 27 to Thursday April 30.
- Ascension of Christ: Ascension Day of Christ falls on Thursday, May 14 and is one of the brightest times of the year. Take a holiday: Friday May 15 (Fri May 14-17) or May 11 -13 + May 15 (Fri May 9-17).
- May Day + Ascension Day: Take vacation from May 4 to 8, and from May 11 to May 13 and May 15. You get time off from May 1 to May 17.
- Midsummer: Take vacation from June 15 to June 18. You get time off from June 13 to 21.
- Christmas, New Year and Epiphany 2026/2027: Take vacation December 21 – 23. You get December 19 to 27 off. Take December 28 to 30 off to get a discount from December 24 to January 3. You can get even longer leave if you take January 4-5 off and maybe even January 7-8.
This week’s reflection
Interestingly, according to camping.info, the best campsites are in Austria and Germany. In itself we can agree that there are many good places in these countries, but could it also have to do with the fact that many users travel here? In which countries have you experienced the best campsites? Also read our tips about idyllic campsites in Europe!
Did you miss the previous travel news? Read Winter travel, events and spa trends
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