According to Globetrender, the European Travel Commission (ETC) has published its “European Tourism: Trends & Prospects” report for the second quarter of 2023, which offers a thorough study of the most recent changes in the region’s tourism and macroeconomic conditions.
While European air traffic numbers were “edging closer to pre-pandemic levels” in mid-June 2023, the US had so far emerged as the year’s strongest long-haul supply market to Europe.
Despite economic challenges, Europe’s tourism revival is still gaining steam, with international visitor numbers at roughly 95% of 2019 levels.
Even though inflation and rising travel prices are straining consumers’ budgets, travel expenditure still takes precedence over other luxuries. The most recent data available reveals that pre-pandemic levels of foreign visitors had been surpassed in one-fourth of reporting European destinations.
“It is encouraging to see the positive recovery of international visitor arrivals in the first half of 2023,” stated Miguel Sanz, President of ETC. In light of this, European vacation destinations need to be ready to handle the rising demand and return of tourists.
“Travel dispersal must be taken into account in tourist initiatives in order to aid destinations in resolving overcrowding and to extend the advantages of tourism to less-traveled areas. Tourism can and should be used as a sustainable, social, and economic force for good.
In 2022 and the beginning of 2023, the rebound in air traffic levels lagged behind consumer demand throughout Europe. With statistics through to June suggesting that recovery is inching closer to pre-pandemic levels, the tide does appear to be turning.
Increased airline capacity among both European and non-European airlines, which will enter the market in time for the busiest summer travel season, should be credited for this. Flight schedule in Europe is returning to its pre-pandemic 2019 levels, with seat capacity anticipated to reach 96% this summer.
Source- Travel biz