Europeans Plan to Travel in Early Summer to Avoid Crowds and Rising Costs
The data provided by the ETC also shows that for 69 per cent of tourists, leisure remains the main reason for travel, although the seven per cent drop during 2022 marked a possible slowdown in “revenge” trips after the pandemic, AtoZSerwisPlus.pt reports.
However, annual growth marked business trips of three per cent, now accounting for eight per cent of all destination trips.
In this regard, the President of ETC Luís Araújo said that regardless of financial concerns and high travel costs, Europeans remain eager to travel.
He also added that another encouraging thing is that a significant number of travelers choose off-peak summer trips to avoid overcrowding and peak prices.
“This positive trend supports sustainable destination management by spreading tourism flows more evenly. We advise destinations and businesses to closely follow these trends to meet the evolving needs of travellers,” President Araújo also noted.
Most Europeans Plan to Travel Off-Peak in 2023
Based on the ETC report, between April and May of this year, nearly 30 per cent of travellers said they intend to take a trip, which is an increase of six per cent compared to last year.
Meanwhile, 40 per cent of respondents are thinking of travelling between June and October. On the other hand, only 23 per cent plan to travel during August and September, which is a significant decrease of nine per cent from 2022.
Such data also revealed that 59 per cent of respondents will make more than one trip in the coming months, followed by 35 per cent who plan to travel twice and another 24 per cent planning three or more trips. In addition, a total of 31 per cent travellers will make only one trip during the same period.
Regarding the age group, a percentage of 74 per cent of Europeans over 25 show a high enthusiasm for travel. Meanwhile, the younger Gen Z crowd, comprised of ages 18 to 24, remains the most reluctant to plan a vacation (61 per cent).
Further ETC figures have revealed that for 23 per cent of European travellers, the increase in travel costs due to inflation has remained a major concern, while for 17 per cent of them, personal finances have been a problem.
According to the same, this shows the reason why 51 per cent of Europeans have already made partial or full reservations for their next trip, which is an increase of eight per cent compared to last year.
Worries About Extreme Weather Add to Europeans’ List of Travel Concerns
A total of 18 per cent of Europeans choose a destination to travel to because of the pleasant weather, followed by attractive shopping at 17 per cent, lack of overcrowding at 11 per cent, the hospitality of local communities at ten per cent and seven per cent of European travellers mentioned extreme weather as a significant concern.
Another concern for 12 per cent of Europeans is the war in Ukraine, mainly for the Swiss, Polish, Austrian, Italian and Dutch respondents.
Duration of Holidays for European Travellers the Same as in 2022
Same as last year, trips lasting between four to six nights remain the most popular. Another 22 per cent plan to travel for more than ten nights.
ETC data reveals that 37 per cent of Europeans are now putting aside larger budgets of over €1,500 per trip, which represents an increase of seven per cent from 2022. Fewer female travellers or 19 per cent of Europeans, expect to spend more on travel the future than they usually do.
Among the preferred destinations remain France and Spain with eight per cent of Europeans intending to travel to each. The aforementioned countries are followed by Italy with seven per cent, Greece with six per cent, Germany with five per cent and Belgium, which enters the top ten list of preferred destinations in Europe.
