Europe’s tourism recovery is maintaining its momentum despite economic headwinds, reaching about 95% of 2019 levels of international tourist arrivals. Though inflation and increased travel costs are squeezing consumers’ wallets, travel spending is still prioritised over other discretionary expenses. The latest data available shows that one-quarter of reporting European destinations have surpassed pre-pandemic levels of foreign arrivals.
Long-Haul Travellers to Europe become more cost-conscious
As the summer season approaches, over 50% of respondents in China, Brazil, Australia, Canada, and the US expressed optimism about travelling overseas. Among them, Europe remains a top choice for long-haul trips in May-August 2023. Nearly half of those planning to visit the region are repeat visitors, indicating Europe’s ability to cultivate a positive reputation, satisfy travellers, and entice them to return.
European Travel Commission elects Miguel Sanz as President
The European Travel Commission (ETC), representing 35 National Tourism Organisations in Europe, announced today that Miguel Sanz from Spain’s National Tourism Organisation has been elected as ETC’s President for a three-year term. Miguel Sanz was selected to lead ETC’s efforts towards a sustainable and inclusive future for Europe’s tourism industry by the 105th General Meeting which took place in Tallinn, Estonia.
European Travel Commission launches climate action plan
The European Travel Commission (ETC) is launching its Climate Action Plan. To address the urgency of climate action, the plan commits to halve emissions generated by ETC’s operations by 2030, as well as to support engagement in climate action among its member National Tourism Organisations (NTOs) and lead the way for tourism stakeholders in Europe.
European Tourism regains lost ground despite persistent headwinds
European tourism demand entered 2023 on a strong footing despite ongoing challenges, with international tourist arrivals 18% below 2019 levels. This is according to the latest edition of the ‘European Tourism Trends & Prospects’ quarterly report from the European Travel Commission (ETC), which monitors Europe’s tourism recovery, macroeconomic developments and other major factors having an impact on the European tourism outlook.
European travellers opt for early summer trips to beat crowds and rising travel costs
About 72% of Europeans intend to travel between April and September this year. Leisure remains the primary reason for travel (69%), though the drop of 7% over 2022 suggests a potential slowdown in post-pandemic ‘revenge’ travel. Business travel, in contrast, has recorded a 3% annual increase, now accounting for 8% of all intended trips.
Europe’s tourism rebound predicted to continue into 2023
The outlook for travel to Europe is promising despite global pressures such as high inflation, the war in Ukraine and consequent energy crisis, and the looming economic recession. The latest data indicates a recovery of 75% of 2019 travel volumes to Europe in 2022. This strong tourism rebound is expected to continue well into 2023, though at a slower pace. Looking forward, international travel to Europe is forecast to reach pre-pandemic levels in 2025, while domestic travel will fully recover in 2024.
Amid financial stress, Europeans determined to keep their travel spend
The European Travel Commission (ETC) has today released its latest report on Monitoring Sentiment for Domestic and Intra-European Travel, providing insights into European travel plans in spring – summer 2023.
Long-Haul travel sentiment to Europe improves despite high global inflation
The desire for overseas travel in 2023 has increased significantly in large travel markets compared to a year ago. Over 60% of potential travellers in Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, and the US intend to travel long-haul in 2023, with Europe being top of mind. Travel sentiment to Europe in the first four months of the year has also improved, with the most notable year-over-year increases observed in China (+21 points) and Brazil (+13 points). The exception to these positive trends is Japan, with 27% of respondents enthusiastic about long-haul trips in 2023 as a whole and 13% between January and April.
European tourism resilient in face of low consumer confidence
Europe is expected to recover close to 75% of 2019 travel volumes by the end of 2022
Challenging economic backdrop will lead to a difficult winter for the tourism sector in Europe
Transatlantic travel gets a boost in 2022, spurred by a stronger dollar against key European currencies
