For the first time, the export value of the Swedish hospitality industry exceeded SEK 80 billion during a single year, according to the 2007 Arlanda Visitor Index. This represented an upturn of six per cent or SEK 4.6 billion in annual hospitality industry revenue.
Throughout the autumn, the Arlanda Index showed strong growth in the Swedish hospitality industry. This has now been confirmed by the December figures, which showed an upturn of 8.3 per cent compared to December 2006, reaching SEK 4.8 billion.
During 2007 the overall export income of the Swedish hospitality industry totalled SEK 80.3 billion according to the Arlanda Index, which is a new record. The number of full-time industry employees on an annual basis rose by 4,300 to 154,300.
The Arlanda Index is based on the number of international passengers arriving at Stockholm-Arlanda Airport. There is a very strong correlation between such passengers and the hospitality industry, making the Arlanda Index unusually reliable. The average margin of error has been less than three per cent over a five-year period.
“The Arlanda Index shows Swedish export revenue for the hospitality industry practically in real time, while official statistics take considerably longer to compile. Every business trip represents a visit, and every tourist trip constitutes someone else’s business operations,” says Jan Lindqvist, Head of Corporate Communication at the Stockholm Division of LFV, the State enterprise that operates Sweden’s major airports.
“The economic role of air travel is equivalent to an estimated eight per cent of worldwide GDP and generates 29 million jobs. Good air connections improve accessibility, thereby contributing to our economic, social and cultural development,” Mr Lindqvist says.
During 2007, Stockholm-Arlanda added non-stop service to 21 destinations in Europe, most of them with a low fare profile. The airport also added new service to Beijing (China), Bangkok (Thailand) and Doha (Qatar).
For more information:
Jan Lindqvist, Head of Corporate Communication, Stockholm Division, LFV, mobile 0708-91 64 02