Travel intentions in Europe are down 4% compared to last year, but remain strong. More tourists (+5% compared to 2022) are choosing to travel in the “off-peak” months of October and November. Travel for events (10%) or for business (9%) are both increasing.
The number of Europeans planning to travel between June and November 2023 fell by 4% year-on-year, but remains high at 69%. Austrians, Swiss and Germans stand out as the most hesitant travelers, with 45%, 56% and 62% of respondents respectively planning to travel in the next few months. In contrast, the French (80%), Belgians (79%) and British (75%) are the most keen to travel during the same period.
The weakness in European travel intentions can be explained by a slowdown in pent-up demand post-COVID-19, but the Domestic and Intra-European Travel Monitoring Sentiment – Wave 16 survey found that[1] Research from the European Travel Commission (ETC) suggests that financial pressures are also having an impact on holidaymakers.
ETC President Miguel Sanz commented on the findings as follows: “Our latest data shows that concerns about inflation and personal finances persist among European travelers. Despite this, Europeans remain keen to travel in the coming months. Whether you’re looking for a more affordable experience or considering off-season travel to stretch your budget, we’re looking for alternative travel options. , we advise people to take advantage of these trends and help travelers go off-the-beaten-path and travel during off-peak seasons.”
Europeans choose off-season travel and more affordable destinations
Almost a quarter (24%) of European travelers are concerned about rising overall travel costs (6% increase compared to 2022), and 17% are concerned about their economic situation and finances.
To cope with rising travel costs, Europeans are adapting their behavior before and after arriving at their destination. 17% aim to travel in the off-season to get better prices, and 14% plan to vacation in destinations they find more affordable. European travelers are also looking for cheaper flights, with 13% looking to book their tickets earlier than usual to get the best deal, and 12% looking for cheap flights. I’m planning on using it.
Meanwhile, Europeans also continue to adjust their destination behavior to fit their available budgets, with 17% cutting back on shopping costs, 15% looking for cheaper restaurants and 15% looking for cheaper accommodation. Choose.
Other factors causing concern among European travelers include Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine (12%), crowded tourist destinations (9%), reservation and cancellation policies (9%), and unusual These include the possibility of weather (8%).
Pleasant climate and attractive benefits shape European travel plans
Respondents’ first choice remains Europe, with 59% planning a holiday within the region, while 12% are aiming to travel outside Europe (up 3% from 2022). Meanwhile, the popularity of domestic travel has fallen by 6%, with just 26% of travelers opting for a ‘staycation’ in the coming months.
Spain remains the most popular destination for travelers, with 8% planning a holiday in Spain, followed by France (7%), Italy (7%), Greece (5%) and Croatia (5%). ). Still, visitors to Mediterranean destinations fell 10% from last year. Conversely, destinations such as the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Ireland, and Denmark are soaring in popularity. This can be attributed to travelers seeking less crowded destinations and milder temperatures.
Events and business trips are back on track
Despite the rising cost of living, European travelers are planning multiple trips, with 33% aiming to take two and 26% at least three this summer and fall. A further 30% of respondents plan to take only one trip (4% less than last year). In terms of length of stay, most European travelers (36%) choose to stay in their destination for less than a week (4-6 nights), while 27% choose to stay in their destination for less than a week (4-6 nights). We are aiming for a ~9 night stay.
Travel to event destinations is growing in popularity, with 10% of European travelers planning a trip between June and November 2023, up from 4% in 2022. Business travel also increased by 4% to 9. Percentage of respondents who plan to undertake work-related travel. Despite being down 6% compared to the same period in 2022, leisure travel remains the first choice for 68% of Europeans.
This project is co-funded by the European Union.
The full overview can be downloaded here
[1] Wave 16 features data collected in May 2023. The study was conducted in Germany, the United Kingdom, France, the Netherlands, Italy, Belgium, Switzerland, Spain, Poland, and Austria.
