European Travel Commission has reported that, despite rising political risks and less relaxed financial conditions, there has been healthy growth in travel this summer, boosted by robust intra-European demand and improved air connectivity, notably from China, the company said.
According to the European Travel Commission´s latest report, “European Tourism – Trends & Prospects 2018”, 32 out of 34 reporting destinations registered some form of growth over the summer period, with 1 in 4 enjoying double-digit expansion in arrivals. Europe saw a +7% increase in international tourist arrivals the first half of 2018 compared to the same period in 2017 with growth led by Southern/Mediterranean destinations.
Turkey (+23%) saw double-digit increases from all reported source markets. Increases were also recorded in Greece (+19%). Serbia (+15%) increased due to a visa-free policy for Chinese travellers and better air connectivity boosted arrivals growth. Malta (+16%) benefitted from its capital being a designated European Capital of Culture in 2018. In Iceland (+6%) robust travel demand from the US and Russia was able to offset declines from a wide range of source markets while “borrowed” market share now returning to Northern Africa and Turkey may explain Spain´s slowdown (-0.1%).
