Southern European travel destinations remained popular, favoured by the favorable weather during the low season
Travel demand throughout the continent is robust and is expected to continue in 2024, says the quarterly report European Tourism Trends and Prospects prepared by European Travel Commission.
According to the report, the recovery is primarily driven by strong intra-European travel, especially from Germany, France and the Netherlands.
The report highlights that long-haul travel has also recovered, although slower and with significant variations between regions, such as Asia-Pacific and North America.
According to the report, European travel remained stable in the final months of 2023. Two-thirds of the destinations reported a complete recovery or recorded arrivals and overnight stays within a 10 pc variance from pre-pandemic levels.
Southern European travel destinations remained popular, favoured by the favorable weather during the low season.
It says that Serbia recorded the most significant increase in arrivals, up by 15 pc, followed by Portugal at 11 pc, Montenegro by 10 pc, Turkey at 9 pc increase and Malta at 8 pc.
Other countries also witnessed significant growth compared to 2019. Iceland recorded a 12 pc increase in arrivals despite a volcanic eruption. In comparison, the Netherlands experienced a 16 pc increase in overnight stays, indicating longer stays, despite a minor 2 pc increase in arrivals.
In contrast, Eastern European destinations bordering Russia experienced a slower recovery. Countries like Lithuania’s growth decreased by 32 pc, Latvia at 29 pc, Estonia at 27 pc, and Finland by 24 pc fell short of their 2019 figures.
The statement adds that the European travel industry is experiencing a recovery in arrivals and overnight stays. However, both the industry and tourists are affected by the inflation rate.
The report says that in the last quarter of 2023, the inflation rate rose to 23 pc compared to 2019. The rise in inflation has led to an increase in tourism-related spending, such as international flights at 49 pc, package holidays at 47 pc and hotel prices by 35 pc.
These higher prices hurt the financial situation of households. However, it did not stop the majority of people who were willing to travel. Experts note that price pressures have slightly eased in the last months of 2023, but they remain significantly higher compared to pre-pandemic levels, the statement adds.
According to the report, Chinese tourists accounted for 13 pc of long-haul arrivals in Europe in 2019. However, their return has been slow since China reopened, with Chinese arrivals in 2023 being 67 pc below pre-pandemic levels.
It says that despite capacity constraints, Chinese travellers have focused more on domestic travel and remained risk-averse over the past year. For 2024, European destinations can expect a further recovery of this market, which is expected to be 39 pc below the figures in 2019.
