Danish holiday interest hits record high

Interest in domestic holidays in Denmark has reached an all-time high, according to tourism agency VisitDenmark, with more Danes opting to spend their summer break at home.

Competition for hotels, holiday homes, and prime camping spots has intensified as a result. First Camp Bøjden Strand, Scandinavia’s largest camping chain, reports an 11% increase in Danish guests this year. Sebastian Pedersen, the site’s destination manager, attributes the trend to a mix of global uncertainty, high fuel prices, and a growing appreciation for Denmark’s own attractions.

Mogens and Kirsten Knudsen, who typically spend a month abroad, have chosen to holiday in Denmark for the first time in 20 years. Kirsten Knudsen cites rising travel costs, while her husband prefers the cooler domestic climate and the avoidance of extreme weather risks seen in southern Europe.

A spring 2026 VisitDenmark survey found 51% of Danes considering a domestic holiday this year, up from 41% in 2025, with 27% planning to take their primary holiday in Denmark, compared to 20% the previous year. Danish tourism spending rose by 4% in 2025, with holiday home rental agency Sol og Strand reporting a 12% increase in domestic bookings. A Horesta industry survey found 58% of members expect higher revenue this year due to the trend.

Carina Ren, a tourism lecturer at Aalborg University, notes Denmark’s upgraded attractions—from gastronomy to cultural sites—have made domestic travel more appealing. Katja Moesgaard, VisitDenmark’s CEO, highlights that Danish tourists spent an estimated 96 billion kroner domestically in 2025, up from 83 billion in 2021, supporting local jobs and businesses.

Despite the surge, many Danes still combine domestic trips with foreign travel. The Knudsens, for example, plan to visit Lake Garda, Costa del Sol, and Andalusia later in the year.