A new report on travel trends for spring summer 2025 by the European Travel Commission (ETC) shows that Europe’s holidaymakers are taking more trips, staying for longer at their destination, and allocating more money to their travel budget than before.
The Monitoring Sentiment for Intra-European Travel Wave 21 findings show that travel intention is down year-on-year by 3% to 72 across Europe, but nonetheless “reaffirm the resilience of travel demand in Europe,” according to Miguel Sanchez, the ETC’s president.
Almost a third (30%) of Europeans are expecting to spend between €1,501 and €2,500 per trip, while 17% would consider spending over €2,500, the research says. Southern destinations are seeing a drop in interest, having fallen 8% since last year, but remain a “favourite.”
Strong travel intention especially for events and alternative destinations
Strong travel intention can be seen across the continent from north to south and west to east. It is seen most strongly in Poland (80%), the UK (79%), the Netherlands (75%), Spain (75%), and Italy (73%). Meanwhile, the least likely citizens to travel are the French (65%), Belgians (68%), Austrians (69%), Swiss (69%), and Germans (70%).
As per previous trending preferences, event-based travel and alternative destinations are doing well. While there is a “slight dip in popularity” (-8%) of southern and Mediterranean destinations, interest in Eastern Europe is rising, up 3% year-on-year.
The proportion of Europeans planning to undertake three trips or more between April and September 2025, is up 6% to 27%, which the ETC called a “notable” rise. Travellers also intend to stay away from home longer, with 42% opting for holidays lasting 7–12 nights, up by 11% compared to 2024.
More money in the budget
That must be partly thanks to the increase in the amount of money Europeans are prepared to splash out on travel, as they continue to prioritise trips away in their household budgets. While worries over inflation’s effect on the cost of travel have diminished by 6%, while personal finance worries are less of a concern by 3%.
Priorities for how the cash is spent are consistent: accommodation tops the list for all age groups (27%), followed by food and drink (20%) and “destination activities” (16%). The younger segment aged 18–24 is inclined to spend more on shopping (15%) and luxury experiences (11%), whereas the 55+ age group place a higher premium on comfort, spending out more on accommodation (33%) and food (24%).
Destination preferences
As seen Southern and Mediterranean Europe remain top choices, expected to attract 41% of European travellers. However, intentions to visit the region are lower year-on-year, as some travellers plan to explore alternative destinations. Countries such as Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, Belgium, and Bulgaria are each seeing a modest increase in interest of around 1%.
Major and established cities, tourist villages, and resorts continue to dominate, attracting 53% of spring and summer holidaymakers. But alongside this, 35% are opting for less common locations, and 13% intend to explore off-the-beaten-path spots within their chosen country.
Overtourism and climate change
Interestingly for the range of destinations looking to spread tourist footfall away from overcrowded hotspots, travellers who select less popular locations tend to stay longer, with 38% planning trips over 10 days, compared to 21% of those choosing traditional destinations. These travellers also spend more, with many budgeting over €2,500 per trip.
At the same time, climate awareness is an increasingly significant factor in travel decisions. Upwards of 81% of Europeans report that the changing climate impacts their travel choices, marking a 7% increase from the previous year. Travelers are adjusting their behaviors accordingly: 17% pay closer attention to weather forecasts, 15% actively seek destinations with milder climates, and 14% avoid areas subject to extreme heat. This increased awareness may contribute to a growing interest among Europeans in cooler or alternative regions during the warmer season.
