People seeking travel experiences better suited to their introverted personality are in luck. Announced on September 29, Sweden’s new Introvert Travel Agency caters its services specifically to introverts, people who typically prefer quiet introspection and solitude or small-group interaction over noise and crowds.
An initiative by Visit Sweden, the idea is to tap into the Nordic country’s cultural norms that, according to the agency’s website, favor personal space, freedom to roam, and structured socializing.
“Many travelers are looking for something surprisingly simple: the freedom to decide when they want company and when they don’t,” Susanne Andersson, CEO of Visit Sweden, said in a press statement.
Data from a Visit Sweden-YouGov survey conducted over the summer reveals that the appetite for such a service exists.
Among the more than 9,000 survey participants across the U.S., U.K., Germany, and six other countries, 41% self-identified as introverts. Additionally, 67% of respondents reported a preference for optional social interactions during travel, while 53% said they’d be willing to pay a premium for peace, privacy, or fewer crowds.
“For introverts, recharging is often less about being alone and more about having control over when and how we interact with others,” Mattias Lundberg, a licensed psychologist and associate professor of psychology at Umeå University, said in a press statement.
“Environments with less social pressure, more personal space, and the possibility to withdraw can make it easier to preserve and regain energy,” he added.
The agency offers travel exclusively to Sweden, touting it as an ideal destination for introverts. To plan an adventure, users take an online quiz that asks three simple questions: “How would you recharge your batteries?”; “How much personal space do you need?”; and “How much small talk can you handle?”
The agency offers bookings throughout the country with activities like hiking, watching the northern lights, or visiting local restaurants.
One trip might feature an eight-day cycling adventure along Sweden’s southwest coast. Another might showcase a winter wonderland experience, with opportunities to go snowmobiling and view the aurora borealis.
“Sweden has always offered that kind of space, in our nature, our cities, and our social culture,” Andersson said. “The Introvert Travel Agency makes it easier to experience Sweden in your own way. Here, being social is an option, not an obligation.”