Norrbotten increases most in the country – third record year in a row for the tourism industry

Finally, we have taken note of the preliminary guest night statistics from the Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth and see that Norrbotten is leaving another record year. In total, the county looks set to increase +5% compared to 2023, which is more than the national average (+1%). The strongest growth is seen in Jokkmokk (+19%) and Arvidsjaur (+16%). Both Swedish (+3%) and foreign guest nights (+8.5%) are increasing, including France with +49%, the Netherlands +23% and North America +20%.

“This is an impressive result that proves how strongly our Arctic destination and our fantastic tourism entrepreneurs attract visitors from all over the world, despite the major shortcomings in our travel infrastructure,” says Annika Fredriksson, CEO of Swedish Lapland Visitors Board.

“By working together, we can both retain and increase the interest of different types of international visitors all year round.”

The statistics show that Norrbotten was the region in Sweden with the highest percentage growth in terms of guest nights. In total, Swedish guest nights account for 65% and foreign guest nights for 35%, a distribution that is very close to last year’s.

Some highlights from 2024:

• Norrbotten is increasing the most of all regions in Sweden.
• 2.9 million guest nights in Norrbotten correspond to about 12 per inhabitant.
• Jokkmokk increased in percentage terms the most of all municipalities with +19% compared to last year.
• Both Kalix (37%) and Jokkmokk (+19%) are seeing large increases in foreign guest nights.
• Winter increases by 7% in Norrbotten compared to the Swedish average of 0%.
• Kiruna has the highest number of guest nights, 608,000 (+21,000), closely followed by Luleå and Piteå.

Hard work pays off

We see that export-oriented tourism companies in Norrbotten are driving market development. They are both attracting and taking care of more guests than last year, which paves the way for success. The fine and important cooperation that is done together with airlines, local tourism industry players, airports, international tour operators, local destination organizations for more direct flight establishments has both given results and will continue to give results in the future.

The statistics for Älvsbyn, Övertorneå and Överkalix municipalities are confidential due to the lack of accommodation facilities. However, these municipalities are included in the county’s total guest night statistics.

About the statistics

Guest nights is a measure of the number of nights guests stay in commercial accommodation establishments. The accommodation statistics are a total survey with a response obligation for all hotels, hostels, campsites, holiday villages and commercially mediated private cottages and apartments with at least five rooms or nine beds. This means that smaller establishments are not covered by this collection. Statistics for 2024 are provisional until April 2025.