Lofsdalen, a charming mountain village in Härjedalen, Sweden, has rapidly become a top destination for both winter and summer activities. Attracting visitors from regions like Mälardalen, Stockholm, Uppsala, Dalarna, and Gästrikland, Lofsdalen is now drawing international guests eager to experience its extensive offerings.

Challenge

Lofsdalen's vision for growth led to the need for a streamlined system to manage bookings and payments for its diverse activities. The village offers 10,000 beds through commercial operators and private cabin owners, requiring a cohesive platform to handle the increasing demand. The challenge was to simplify the booking process for both local and international visitors, ensuring a seamless experience from planning to payment.

Solution

Lofsdalen partnered with iTicket to create an integrated online hub at Lofsdalen.com. This platform consolidates all information, bookings, and payments into one user-friendly site. Visitors can now book activities, accommodation, lift passes, and equipment rentals all in one place.

"We have managed to time our investments well. When the pandemic made more people interested in spending their vacation in Sweden, we were ready to present Lofsdalen as a safe destination with a wide range of activities," says Lotta Anestedt, CEO of Destination Lofsdalen.

iTicket’s expertise, particularly in mountain destinations, provided Lofsdalen with tailored solutions that benefit from best practices in the industry. The dedicated support from iTicket allowed Lofsdalen’s small team to focus on attracting more visitors while the technical aspects were efficiently managed.

"We are a small team and therefore appreciate having a single point of contact at iTicket to handle everything from web, bookings, and other support systems. This allows us to focus on our work to get more people to visit Lofsdalen," says Lotta Anestedt.

 

Results

Immediate Outcomes

The integration of iTicket’s platform resulted in a streamlined booking and payment process, enhancing the visitor experience. The website became the central hub for marketing and managing Lofsdalen’s offerings, which led to an increase in both winter and summer visitors. The investment in expanding cycling trails paid off, with summer visitors doubling in just a few years.

Long-term Benefits

The successful expansion facilitated the growth of year-round accommodations, reducing the reliance on seasonal workers and retaining skilled staff. This stability improved services and attracted more holiday home owners to settle in Lofsdalen. The village’s population grew, and community facilities like the local school benefited from the increased number of residents.

 

To fellow industry colleagues Lofsdalen would like to say...

Lotta Anestedt’s advice to other small destinations looking to grow is to invest in a comprehensive, user-friendly platform that consolidates all visitor needs into one place. Partnering with an experienced provider like iTicket can significantly ease the operational burden, allowing local teams to focus on strategic growth initiatives.

Lofsdalen’s partnership with iTicket has been instrumental in transforming it into a thriving year-round destination. The seamless integration of booking and payment systems has not only enhanced the guest experience but also supported the village’s sustainable growth. As Lofsdalen continues to expand its offerings, it stands as a model for small destinations with big ambitions.

"We have come a long way, but the investment in Lofsdalen continues. Our next goal is to start work on expanding and improving the ski area," concludes an optimistic Lotta Anestedt.