After a long period of restrictions, the desire to travel is greater than in a long time before the coming big weekend.

The travel companies testify to a strong booking pressure - and then mainly to destinations such as the Canary Islands, Thailand, Cape Verde and Dubai.

- The trends we see are safe destinations, sports on holiday and that you want to spend a lot now that you have waited a while.

You want to bring the paddle game with you even on holiday, says Sandra Miller Kinge, communications manager at Apollo.

Ving's communications manager Claes Pellvik also states that activities such as paddle, hiking, yoga and cycling are highly valued.

That Thailand has climbed up as a big favorite shows that there is also a craving for exotic destinations, according to TUI's communications manager Adam Györki.

Since the quarantine requirements were abolished, the number of bookings to the country has increased fivefold.

The travel time is also longer than usual.

- Thailand has not yet opened up to tourists from all countries, which means that you can take the opportunity to experience the feeling of a calmer and more untouched Thailand, he says.

"Serious situation"

At the same time, the spread of covid-19 in both Europe and the rest of the world is spreading.

On Monday, Austria shut down.

And countries such as the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany may be next in line to impose new restrictions.

On Friday, there was also an alarm about a new virus variant in South Africa.

- It is a serious situation in terms of infection in many countries.

We see that many countries also in our immediate vicinity reintroduce regulations and restrictions that can affect a traveler at the destination, says Tobias Axerup, head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' emergency preparedness group.

He emphasizes the importance of being prepared, informed, insured and that a great responsibility rests with the individual traveler.

- We are facing a fourth wave in Europe and other parts of the world where the spread of infection is picking up speed again.

This requires travelers to prepare in the best possible way.

Farshid Jalalvand, a researcher in clinical microbiology at Lund University, believes that the spread of infection in Europe will increase until February.

- In many places, vaccine passes are required to be able to participate in entertainment and cultural life.

Then it is also good to know that some countries do not have far to lockdown.

You should definitely be vaccinated if you are considering traveling, he says.

So how should one think before a possible winter trip?

Hear Tobias Axerup and Farshid Jalalvand's tips in the video above!