OREANDA-NEWS. With the launch of Emirates' services to Stockholm less than a month away, Sweden is expected to receive an economic boost thanks to the airline's extensive global network.

“As well as attracting new trade and investment into Sweden, Emirates will play an important role in supporting the country's USD 2.5 billion tourism industry, introducing new audiences to Stockholm and drawing in visitors from a host of points across the globe, including China, Japan, Australia, Korea and numerous points in the Middle East,” said Hubert Frach, Emirates' Divisional Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations West.

Sweden is the most visited country among the Nordic nations, with five million international travellers in 2011, projected to grow to 5.4 million by 2016. The Travel and Tourism Competitive Index (TTCI) ranked Sweden as the world's fifth most attractive destination for travel and tourism industry development. This is primarily driven by Sweden's stable economic growth, rising government expenditure on infrastructure improvements and tourism promotional efforts.