Published on
January 7, 2026
Swedavia, operator of ten key airports including Stockholm Arlanda and Göteborg Landvetter, recorded an eight percent rise in passengers to about 2.5 million in December 2025, fueling Sweden tourism resurgence. This balanced growth in international and domestic travel signals robust demand for destinations across Sweden, from urban hubs to northern wilderness. The uptick enhances accessibility to tourism attractions like Stockholm’s archipelago and Gothenburg’s coastal vibes, driving higher visitor numbers and local spending.
Annual Growth Solidifies Tourism Foundations
Full-year 2025 passenger traffic at Swedavia airports climbed two percent over 2024, with international volumes up three percent and domestic holding steady, strengthening Sweden tourism infrastructure. Additions of thirty-seven new scheduled routes, eight airlines, and twnety-three new destinations, mostly at Stockholm Arlanda, cater directly to leisure travelers seeking fjords, forests, and festivals. This network expansion promises sustained tourism inflows, particularly benefiting remote areas where improved connectivity spurs eco-tourism and adventure trips.
Stockholm Arlanda Shines as Tourism Powerhouse
Stockholm Arlanda managed over 1.8 million passengers in December, a fourteen percent year-over-year leap, with international traffic surpassing 2019 pre-pandemic levels by five percent. This positions Arlanda as Sweden‘s premier tourism gateway, facilitating seamless access to the capital’s museums, Gamla Stan, and Västergötland countryside. Strong domestic gains further amplify tourism circuits, linking city breaks with rural retreats and boosting hotel occupancies across the network.
Göteborg Landvetter Sustains Steady Tourism Rise
Göteborg Landvetter welcomed around three hundred eighty thousand passengers, reflecting six percent growth and underscoring West Sweden tourism vitality. The airport’s performance supports demand for Gothenburg’s seafood markets, Volvo heritage sites, and Bohuslän archipelago escapes. Enhanced international links via Landvetter elevate tourism diversity, attracting Europeans for short-haul cultural immersions while domestic stability ensures reliable flows to regional tourism hotspots.
Northern Airports Set Tourism Records
Airports like Kiruna and Luleå outperformed 2019 domestic volumes in December, establishing new monthly benchmarks and revitalizing northern Sweden tourism. These hubs connect to Lapland’s aurora displays, ice hotels, and Sami cultural experiences, drawing adventure seekers year-round. Surpassing pre-pandemic figures indicates resilient tourism recovery in challenging climates, with potential for extended winter seasons and increased off-peak visits.
International Travel Nears Pre-Pandemic Peaks
December international traffic across Swedavia approached 2019 levels, while domestic reached about two-thirds recovery, highlighting uneven but positive Sweden tourism progress. This near-normalcy for global arrivals enhances tourism to iconic sites like the Icehotel in Jukkasjärvi and Stockholm’s royal palaces. Improved overseas access stimulates multi-stop itineraries, prolonging stays and amplifying economic impacts through dining, shopping, and guided tours.
Freight Boost Complements Tourism Logistics
Swedavia‘s full-year freight volumes grew five percent over 2024, supporting tourism-related cargo like seasonal goods for hotels and events. At Stockholm Arlanda, nearly seven percent passenger growth paired with domestic strength, while Göteborg Landvetter edged up two percent. Efficient logistics underpin Sweden tourism operations, ensuring supplies for high-demand periods and enabling perishable exports from tourism regions like berry farms in Småland.
Route Expansions Fuel Tourism Diversity
Introduction of thirty-seven new routes and twenty-three destinations diversifies Swedavia‘s appeal, targeting niche tourism segments from wellness retreats in Gotland to hiking in Norrland. Stockholm Arlanda‘s dominance in developments facilitates long-haul connections, capturing Asian and American markets eager for Sweden‘s sustainable travel ethos. These additions mitigate domestic stagnation, fostering hybrid trips that blend city explorations with nature immersion for broader tourism appeal.
Implications for Sweden Tourism Economy
Sustained demand at Swedavia airports forecasts accelerated tourism growth into 2026, with northern standouts like Kiruna leading recovery narratives. International surges at Stockholm Arlanda promise revenue windfalls for hospitality, as visitors extend beyond overnights into experiential spending. Overall, two percent annual gains position Sweden tourism for outpacing European averages, emphasizing green aviation’s role in attracting eco-conscious travelers.
Future Outlook Enhances Tourism Accessibility
Swedavia‘s portfolio-wide positivity sets the stage for ambitious tourism initiatives, including further route launches at secondary airports. Balanced international-domestic dynamics ensure resilience against economic shifts, safeguarding Sweden‘s status as a top Nordic destination. Emphasis on recovery to 2019 benchmarks across metrics will likely spur investments in tourism infrastructure, from terminal upgrades to shuttle services linking airports to prime attractions.
