Before the advent of the internet, it was common to take a shortwave receiver, a so-called travel radio, with you on your trip abroad in order to hear the news from Sweden via Sveriges Radio's international broadcasts. Although the internet has taken over much of that role today, there are still places where travel radio plays an important role. If you are in a remote location with limited access to mobile network/internet, a shortwave receiver is worth its weight in gold to receive information from the outside world.
It is also a very pleasant pastime to sit at home and listen to radio broadcasts from all over the world on the shortwave, mediumwave and longwave bands. This is why a radio like this is also often called world radio. With most of our receivers you can also hear e.g. aviation and shipping, amateur radio etc.