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A recovery of a total of 75 per cent of pre-pandemic travel volumes to European countries was registered last year, while a strong tourism rebound will continue this year, even though at a slower pace.
In addition, international travel to Europe is expected to reach 2019 levels in 2025, while domestic travel will completely recover in 2024.
Such conclusions have been reached in the recent report released by the European Travel Commission (ETC) called “European Tourism: Trends and Prospects”, for the fourth quarter of last year, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports.
In this regard, ETC’s President, Luis Araujo said that looking forward to this year, ETC expects the tourism industry in Europe to continue its strong rebound.
“As European short-haul travel is well on its way to recovery, the tourism industry’s attention has now turned to long-haul arrivals. In welcome news, we can expect the long-awaited return of Asia Pacific visitors in the coming months,” he pointed out in this regard.
He went on to say that the tourism sector continues to face many challenges and it is important that the industry continues to be receptive to consumer demand, and improve the visitor experience in the areas targeting markets as well as segments less affected by the economic slowdown.
The year-to-date data shows that in comparison to pre-pandemic levels, nearly one in two reporting destinations recovered over 80 per cent of their pre-pandemic international arrivals. The fastest recovery was recorded in Southern Mediterranean destinations.
“High prices spurred the attractiveness of more affordable destinations, with holidaymakers flocking to Türkiye (2 per cent decline) to benefit from a weaker lira. Luxembourg (4 per cent decline), Serbia (6 per cent decline), Greece (6 per cent), and Portugal (7 per cent) are also approaching 2019,” the statement notes.
At the same time, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine impeded the recovery of Eastern European countries, while the most profound decline was registered in Finland (38 per cent), Lithuania, Romania, and Latvia (all 42 per cent decline).
ETC’s recent report revealed that the United States leads the recovery of long-haul travel to European countries. The number of arrivals from the US to Europe is 25 per cent below pre-pandemic levels last year while this year it is expected to recover 82 per cent of 2019 volumes.
Last year there was registered a large number of visitors from Canada as well, with arrivals from this territory looking to be 28 per cent below pre-pandemic levels this year.
A previous report provided by ETC noted that travel demand remained strong last year, despite the situation caused by the Coronavirus, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and Inflation.
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