By Bond Robertson 
Most of the measures have now been scrapped, and on Friday next week, the World Travel Council will be removed.
Even before the reopening was announced, According to the tour company Feng That travel sales were at the same level as they were before the pandemic.
On Friday, it took off even more when the government announced its reopening.
– Director of State Mary Ann Zacharison said on Ving to TV 2 that Monica Milan (Minister of Justice and Emergency Management, editor’s note) said “good luck” at the press conference, which I think had a reinforcing effect.
Here too: it’s not just the sun and the heat that tempts the Norwegians. Feng also mentions that city break sales have gained momentum, as is the case here in Rome. Photo: Riccardo De Luca/AP/NTB
Zachrisson thinks it was precisely these words that made people think that it was now a good idea to travel again.
The country director says the number of orders has doubled from the low level of orders that has been so far.
Favorite
Most Ving customers booking now have plans to travel this winter. But many orders are placed until fall next year, says the country director.
Fall leaves have been sold out in one form or another, according to the company.
One destination stands out among the bookings in Ving: the Canary Islands.
— These are the main destinations of the season, says Zachrisson.
TUI clients also target the Spanish islands, specifically Gran Canaria.
This was stated by press officer Kevin Breivik at the tour operator.
Heat: Although temperatures are low in Norway, many Norwegians plan to travel to Gran Canaria this winter, according to tour operators. Photo: Emilio Morenatti/AP/NTB
The company saw a 185 percent increase in orders on Friday and Saturday, compared to the same days the previous week.
– It’s a high number compared to what we had during the pandemic. We’re very happy about that, Brevik tells TV 2.
The vast majority of book holidays are for the winter, and the vast majority will go to Gran Canaria.
Covered items
However, it is not just about heating the areas that people want to travel to now.
Orders also arrive at Color Line.
Almost at the second when the announcement came, the orders came in, says commercial director Frode Hansen on Color Line to TV 2.
Increases: Color Line increases capacity as a result of increased orders. Photo: Fredrik Hagen / NTB
On Friday, they saw a 50-70 percent increase in tickets sold compared to the day before and the same day last week.
Travel was clearly a covered need, says Hansen.
The outlet says people are booking on all lines, and says many are now booked for fall break in two weeks (40 and 41). He states that many of them also order the Christmas table season.
Frod Hansen, Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Color Line. Photo: Kristen Groening/TV2
Increase capacity
Due to strong demand, Color Line has increased the capacity of ships. The fact that more people are ordering means that almost none of the company’s employees have been laid off.
Twenty of about 2,000 employees have been laid off, Hansen says, and he says their goal is to get everyone back to work.
Tour operator Ving is also considering increasing capacity as more people order tickets.
We have reduced, reduced, and reduced. Now it looks like we can change the itinerary another way, the increase, says Zachrisson, and he stresses that it’s presumed that people book travel.