Acquires Finland’s two leading travel portals

Reisegiganten has operated in Finland under the brand Äkkilähdöt.fi (“last minute travel”) since 2023. The company is now taking a major step into the Finnish market through the acquisition of Finland’s two strongest travel brands: Rantapallo and Napsu.

– We see significant potential in the Finnish market, and we now consider ourselves a truly Nordic player. We bring 25 years of experience and expertise to the Finnish travel industry, especially within the development of meta-search services for holiday travel, says Reisegiganten CEO Hans Christian Birkeland.

Rantapallo was founded in 2007 by Jani Uljas, a pioneer within Finnish travel media and price comparison services, and at its peak attracts up to 700,000 visitors per month.

In 2024, Rantapallo merged with Napsu, which focuses on travel search services. Together, the websites reach approximately one million Finns every month. A significant share of Finnish holiday purchases are made through the platforms’ price comparison and search services.

The operations of Rantapallo and Napsu were transferred from Rantapallo Oy to Reisegiganten AS through a business transfer effective April 1, 2026. The parties have not disclosed the purchase price.

Defying the crisis - still heading south

After several years of pandemic restrictions, it will take more than a growing economic crisis to stop Scandinavians from travelling abroad. At the same time, the outlook has changed dramatically for a well-known Norwegian travel company.

– When Omicron hit the travel industry a year and a half ago, we were already flat on our backs. Now we are fully recovered, says Hans Christian Birkeland of restplass.no.

Together with his business partner Rune Sandbakken, he has just finalized the annual accounts for Reisegiganten AS, the company behind restplass.no. With an operating profit of NOK 12 million before depreciation, the company is seeing its best result since 2013. All debt has been cleared.

– The loans we received through public support schemes and from shareholders helped us survive the pandemic - just barely. We used that time to phase out the traditional travel agency business and focus entirely on travel search technology. Today, I dare to say that we have the best search engine in Norwegian travel, says Birkeland.

Turning their backs on the pandemic

Last year, the company facilitated holiday bookings worth more than half a billion Norwegian kroner. And 2023 has started strongly for restplass.no.

– We see no signs that rising interest rates, a weak Norwegian currency, or uncertain economic forecasts are slowing people’s desire to travel. I think many are willing to cut back on other spending, but not on their holidays. What we do see clearly is that more people are trying to save money on travel and actively compare prices. After years of travel restrictions and fear of the virus, the summer holiday is the last thing people want to sacrifice, he says.

Where your money goes furthest

At the same time, Birkeland sees clear signs that Norwegians are taking steps to get the most value from every holiday euro. The Turkish lira remains one of the currencies working most in favour of Scandinavian travellers, and food, drinks, and restaurants are still significantly cheaper there than in most eurozone countries. Bookings to Turkey have doubled in recent weeks and are increasing faster than for any other summer destination, while Bulgaria has seen a 50 percent increase.

– These are countries where the Norwegian krone still holds relatively strong purchasing power, so it’s not surprising that more people are looking in that direction. Package holidays are especially popular now because they provide more predictable costs and better financial protection if something unexpected happens, he explains.

According to statistics from restplass.no, Spain remains the number one summer destination for Norwegians, followed by Greece, Italy, and Turkey.

Maximum holiday time with minimum vacation days

With our - and the market’s - most advanced holiday search, you can now filter trips based on how many actual vacation days (working days) you want to use for your next holiday.

Taking time off work should also be considered part of the total holiday budget, and this year offers an exceptional number of public holidays to take advantage of during May. In fact, you can enjoy a long holiday using only a few vacation days - or even take a shorter getaway without taking any days off at all.

Try our advanced filters on restplass.no, sistaminuten.se og afbudsrejser.dk.

Travel search by temperature

Reisegiganten continuously develops the technology and functionality behind its travel search services. One of the newest features this season is the ability to filter your search by preferred air and water temperature. We have collected historical weather data from a wide range of sources to make it as accurate as possible for travelers to find destinations that match their preferred climate and weather conditions at the exact time they wish to travel.

For our customers, travel is about investing in valuable time, holidays, and relaxation. Naturally, many people search for warmer destinations where the sun is shining - a few days away where you can sit outside in a t-shirt and enjoy a local beer or a light meal.

During the dark winter season in the Nordics, when many of us spend our days feeling cold, we see that most travelers are searching for trips in the near future - perhaps just a long weekend or a week away — with daytime temperatures of at least 20–22°C. Just enough to experience a taste of what feels like a good Scandinavian summer.

If swimming and beach life are important to you, you can also filter your search by sea temperature. This gives you an immediate indication of where - and especially when - you should travel to enjoy the best conditions at your chosen destination.

Sometimes, the challenge is actually the opposite. Some travelers may not want to visit destinations where temperatures can become too hot during certain seasons. In that case, you simply adjust the temperature filter down to your preferred climate and find your perfect trip - click and book.

Yes, it really is that simple. Of course, we work with historical and statistical data, and ultimately we must leave the final weather guarantees to the weather gods.

Heavenly Thailand

There are far fewer direct flights to Thailand now than there used to be, and still — it does not seem to stop Scandinavian travelers. Thailand ranks as the third most popular destination among Norwegians, Swedes, and Danes during the winter season. Most travelers still head for the Andaman Coast, but statistics show growing interest in the islands on “the other side” — in the Gulf of Thailand.

Phuket

The most popular destination in Thailand remains the island of Phuket, largely because direct flights are still available from Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. Phuket is also Thailand’s largest island and offers a wide variety of destinations and experiences.

If you think Phuket is overly touristy and filled with neon lights and bars - you are only partly right. The island also has several beaches and quieter areas where the only sounds you hear come from longtail boats along nearly deserted, powder-white beaches.

The Krabi region

The Krabi region and the island of Koh Lanta are also extremely popular destinations. Koh Lanta is especially loved by families with children. In Ao Nang, you stay close to beaches and island-hopping adventures easily reached by longtail boat. And if you dream of staying car-free in a bungalow directly on the beach, the climbing paradise of Railay Beach may be the perfect choice.

The islands of the Gulf of Thailand

Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao, Koh Chang, Koh Samet.

Furthest north and closest to Bangkok lies Koh Samet. Further south you find Koh Chang. Even further south, on the opposite side of the gulf, lies Koh Samui - surrounded by several small and endlessly beautiful islands.

Welcome to discovering Thailand - again and again and again…

Exotic holidays with a short flight

Despite higher living costs, expensive fuel, sustainability concerns, and flight shame, the numbers show that people still choose to travel on holiday. During the winter season, the Canary Islands remain the clear favorite, with Gran Canaria holding an unbeatable first place and Tenerife coming in second.

At the same time, the figures show that many travelers are looking for something new and a bit more exotic - without having to fly too far. Interest is growing in destinations such as Cape Verde, Egypt, and Morocco.

Cape Verde

Cape Verde is located just off the coast of Africa and can be described as a lighter version of the Caribbean islands. There are direct flights once or twice a week, and with a short stopover the range of flight options becomes even greater.

Hurghada and Sharm el Sheikh

Most first-time visitors to Egypt choose either Sharm el Sheikh or Hurghada. These destinations are exotic, yet comfortable and accessible, with large resorts offering high standards and excellent food. The sea and bathing water are guaranteed to be among the clearest you have ever seen, and diving or snorkeling are extremely popular activities. Direct flights are available from Norway, Sweden, and Denmark.

Marrakech and Essaouira

The city of Marrakech, located at the foot of the Atlas Mountains, and the coastal town of Essaouira are colorful, exotic, noisy, dusty, and as luxurious as you choose to make them. Over the years, these cities have attracted princes, rock stars, and backpackers alike. It is possible to fly directly to Marrakech. Essaouira can be reached by bus, or preferably by private driver from Marrakech.

“All-inclusive” makes a comeback in uncertain times

The travel industry reports that sales of all-inclusive package holidays have increased by nearly 50 percent. “Tighter personal finances are making more people want a fixed-price holiday,” says Hans Christian Birkeland of restplass.no.

Food prices have risen by 12 percent over the past year. The central bank interest rate will likely exceed 3 percent during the winter. Electricity spot prices may multiply over the coming months.

This is clearly affecting how Norwegians plan their next holiday abroad. They want a clearer holiday budget and better control over expenses.

Money flies out the door

- People still want to travel, both this winter and next summer, but times are uncertain. Money disappears quickly when buying food and drinks for both adults and children. More and more people are looking for predictability, and what is more predictable than a fixed-price package? We are seeing a major increase in all-inclusive holidays now,” says Birkeland.

According to a restplass.no analysis of Norwegian holiday bookings, the number of all-inclusive trips has increased by 49 percent. More than one in five holidays currently being booked includes food and drinks.

- During the winter, Egypt and Gran Canaria are the most popular destinations for those wanting everything included. For summer, the trend points towards Crete, Turkey, Rhodes, and Mallorca,” says Birkeland.

Buffets have been upgraded

In recent months, tour operators have intensified their focus on holidays with food and drinks included. The selection of all-inclusive hotels is increasing across many destinations.

- This autumn, we have seen a clear increase in demand for hotels offering all-inclusive,” says Nora Aspengren, Head of Communications at TUI, Norway’s largest provider of this type of holiday.

She explains that all-inclusive holidays are very different today compared to the past.

- Some people probably still associate all-inclusive with poor buffet food and low-quality drinks, but today you can find all-inclusive offerings that truly include everything – and at a very high standard. Buffets are now usually extensive, allergy-friendly, and adapted to Nordic eating habits. Several of our hotels also offer children’s buffets, unlimited ice cream bars, and à la carte restaurants as part of the package,” she says.

Aspengren also points out that all-inclusive holidays are both financially predictable and highly practical, especially for families with children.

- Personally, I think it’s very comfortable to have everything included. Everything is available all the time, and we don’t have to plan where to eat every meal every day. Of course, we still visit local restaurants, but we avoid the stress of constantly planning,” she says.

Money to save – but don’t wait too long

Birkeland explains that holiday prices move both up and down, and that those who start planning early can often make a very good deal.

- On restplass.no, we can see prices fluctuating, especially for next summer’s holidays. There is money to save if you follow prices across destinations and remain a bit flexible. At the same time, you shouldn’t wait too long to book the most popular all-inclusive hotels. They are already starting to fill up,” he says.