Column: Linda Iliste

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Foto: Krönika av Linda Iliste.

What makes a city the 'best' can also build tourism

London tops the Europe’s Best Cities report for the fourth time. But more interestingly, the ranking shows how closely the job market, investments, accessibility, and international presence are now interconnected.

Linda Iliste Linda Iliste

Published 9 April 2026 - 05:46

chronicle column-linda-iliste

Anna Grönlund in a red jacket beside a sea scene and an electric bus image.

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Bus boom expected - but the drivers are missing

A good year for charter traffic, but tougher for coach travel to Europe, sums up industry chief Anna Grönlund. "But the big challenge is the shortage of bus drivers".

Hotel reception area with patterned floor, curved blue desk, dark walls and warm pendant lighting.

Hotell Onyxen becomes Gothenburg’s first World Hotels Crafted

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Passport checks shake Schengen - queues expected between Spain and Italy

Two people sit by a hotel pool with mountain views at a sunny resort.

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TUI targets the low-cost segment with new brand Sundeals

TUI is launching a new platform for the low-cost segment in the United Kingdom. Sundeals offers flexible package holidays in which customers combine flights, hotels and extras themselves. In the longer term, there are plans for an international expansion – but it is still unclear whether the venture will come to the Nordic region.

Ett persontåg kör på spår genom gröna fält och skog i solsken.

The train to Finland is running again - opening up new weekend trips

After more than 30 years, it is once again possible to travel by regular passenger train service between Sweden and Finland. The new connection via Haparanda makes Oulu, among other places, more accessible for Swedish travellers - and opens up new opportunities for the visitor economy on both sides of the border.

Två kabinanställda står i gången i ett easyJet-plan med passagerarsäten runt omkring.

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Apollo wants to make EasyJet more premium

More premium seats, increased revenue from add-ons and partnerships with long-haul airlines. These are some of the areas Apollo wants to develop following its bid for EasyJet.

Ett collage med sol över ett snötäckt landskap, en person framför blå himmel och en kuststad vid havet.

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The Mediterranean Still Matters – But the Nordics Are No Longer an Exception

When tourism experts call coolcation “a surface-level trend”, they are right. When others point to record tourism figures in Sweden, they are also right. Misunderstandings arise when we think they contradict each other.

Cyprus seeks growth from winter and the Nordic countries

Cyprus is investing in year-round tourism, new flight connections and especially in attracting Nordic travellers in autumn and winter.

Flygplanscockpit med upplysta instrument och mörk himmel med färgad horisont utanför framrutan.

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Airbus aircraft boom continues

Airbus delivered 67 aircraft in July and received 204 new orders during the month, showing that the global aviation industry is planning for continued growth. At the same time, manufacturers' biggest challenge is keeping up with deliveries in line with growing demand.

En bärbar dator visar Airbnbs webbplats med flera boendeannonser i rutnät.

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Airbnb continues to grow - hotels’ biggest challenger reaches new record levels

In the second quarter of the year, Airbnb increased both revenue and booking volume more than expected, while also raising its full-year forecast. The results show that demand for flexible accommodation remains strong - and that Airbnb is taking an ever larger role in the global travel industry.

Ett vit- och orangefärgat passagerarflygplan med uppfälld landningsställ mot en grå himmel.

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Apollo buys EasyJet for £5.7 billion - a new power player in European aviation

US-based Apollo Global Management is buying EasyJet for £5.7 billion after an intense bidding battle with Castlelake. The deal not only means the airline will leave the London Stock Exchange - it could also mark the start of a new phase in which Europe's aviation and travel market is shaped by well-capitalised private equity funds.

Moderna terminalhallar med rulltrappor, öppna gångbroar och resenärer i en ljus flygplatsinteriör.

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Rome airport invests 9 billion euros - to be ready for the Jubilee year 2033

Rome’s main airport, Fiumicino, is planning an investment of 9 billion euros to almost double capacity. The aim is to have a new runway and expanded terminal capacity in place by 2033, when the Vatican expects a record number of pilgrims in connection with the 2,000th anniversary of the death and resurrection of Jesus.

A Norse Atlantic Airways passenger jet in flight above clouds against a blue sky.

Norse increases revenue despite 32 per cent fewer passengers

Despite fewer passengers and a sharply reduced scheduled network, Norse Atlantic reports its highest unit revenue to date.