Most European travelers plan to take spring and early summer in the next months, according to a European Travel Commission survey. Around 40 percent will travel in June or July, while only 23 percent expect to travel in August and September, down 9 percent year over year. In April and May, almost 30 percent will take or took a trip.
The commission surveyed 6,000 Europeans in March who took at least 2 overnight trips during the last three years.
Between April and September, 72 percent of Europeans plan to travel, down 5 percent year over year. Nearly three-quarters of Europeans over the age of 25 will travel in this period, while 61 percent of those under 25 years old plan to take a trip in this period.
Europeans are hungry to travel in the next six months. By September, 60 percent will take multiple trips. Solo travelers are leading the trend with 34 percent planning at least trips, up 8 percent year over year.
Traveling within Europe is the top choice. Only 11 percent have trips planned for outside the region, while 58 percent will go to a neighboring country or a non-neighboring one.
Nearly half of travelers won’t change their trip budget in the next six months. Almost 20 percent will spend more. Those planning to spend more than 1,500 euros has risen by 7 percent year over year to 37 percent.
The older traveler segment will spend more and take longer trips compared to other demographic groups. Over half of travelers over the age of 54 will take trips that are at least 7 nights long and have budgets over 1,500 euros.
In the face of inflation and rising travel costs, travelers will cut back spending at their destinations. About 17 percent will cut shopping expenses, 16 percent will choose less expensive accommodation and 15 percent will choose less expensive restaurants.
Europeans are also booking early to avoid higher prices. In fact, 52 percent of Europeans have already fully or partially booked their next trip, up 8 percent from 2022.
Tags: European summer travel, european travel, inflation, international travel