The Swedish tourist postage stamps, or TuristPorto stamps as called locally, were private courier stamps sold exclusively at holiday destinations abroad. Released by Nordic Mail AB (later Swedish and Danish Post) in mid 1990s, these stamps were available to thousands of Scandinavian travelers in Spanish holiday resorts.

During the trial period, between Dec 13th 1994 – 31st March 1995, the stamps were available only in Canary Islands via Scandinavian Leisure travel agency and it’s representatives, but due to success the sales was expanded to other locations too after the trial. As these were private courier stamps, they were available exclusively on Scandinavian Leisure holiday resorts and personnel; the stamps were not available nor valid at local post offices.

Greetings with affixed TuristPorto stamp had to be left either to specific separately marked postbox on tourist location, or hand over to tourist guides. Rates were 1 TuristPorto stamp for postcard, 2 TuristPorto stamps for a letter. Valid destinations included only Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland. The greetings were then dispatched to Stockholm (Arlanda) airport by charter flights, form where they were forwarded by Swedish Post to recipients.

The stamps were issued in booklets with self-adhesive gum. The stamps have simple line rouletting, and a printed “look-a-like” perforation.

The story of TuristPorto stamps ended in autumn 1999 due to a change in Spanish postal legislation. According to Facit, a total of 25 TuristPorto stamps were issued – so far I’ve got only the above 3 designs.

If anyone is wondering why I have left my copies on piece, there are two reasons. First; I don’t know if the self-adhesive is soakable or not (and I definitely don’t want to test it with my only copies). And secondly, as these were not canceled, this is the only way to display these were used appropriately. It may not be aesthetic, but that’s just my opinion.

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