15% of travellers from long-haul markets who wish to visit Southern Europe in autumn and early winter 2026 choose Greece, according to the ongoing survey by the European Travel Commission (ETC).
This share makes Greece their fifth choice in Southern Europe for this period. France ranks first, with 52%, followed by Italy at 35%, Spain at 25% and Portugal at 19%.
The figures refer to travel intentions for September–December 2026, rather than confirmed bookings. Nevertheless, this trend presents an opportunity for the short-term rental sector to capitalise on interest from long-haul markets in visiting Greece during this off-peak period.
Southern Europe remains a major draw
The Long-Haul Travel Barometer 3/2026, published by ETC and Interrail, examines the travel intentions, preferences and barriers of travellers from seven key long-haul markets for European tourism: Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Japan, South Korea and the United States.
According to the findings, Southern and Mediterranean Europe attracts the greatest interest, with 67% of prospective visitors to Europe saying they plan to visit the region during the period examined.
However, overall interest in long-haul travel is more subdued than last year. The proportion of respondents planning an international trip between September and December fell to 50%, from 55% the previous year. Similarly, the intention to visit Europe declined from 38% to 34%.
Despite this decline, Europe retains approximately two-thirds of overall long-haul travel intentions, suggesting that it remains a leading choice for travellers from these markets.
More countries in a single trip
Another interesting finding is that travellers do not necessarily view Europe as a single-country destination. Just 34% plan to visit one European country, while 66% wish to combine two or more countries in the same trip. On average, planned itineraries include 2.7 countries.
This trend highlights the importance of multi-country trips in the European tourism market. For Greece, its position among travellers’ preferred destinations may also be linked to the possibility of including it in broader itineraries covering several European destinations. However, the survey does not specifically quantify the share of visitors who intend to combine Greece with other countries.
Meanwhile, air travel remains the most popular option for travelling between countries. Of those surveyed, 45% say they intend to use low-cost airlines and 44% full-service carriers. Rail also holds a significant position, with 40% considering rail passes and 39% tickets for individual routes.
Bookings remain stable despite declining travel intentions
Although intentions to travel to Europe are declining, bookings show greater resilience. Of all respondents, 17% have already booked flights to Europe, a proportion unchanged from the previous year.
However, because fewer respondents say they plan to travel to Europe, travellers with confirmed bookings now account for 52% of those intending to visit, compared with 42% last autumn.
More than half of prospective visitors, specifically 53%, also expect to travel to Europe for the first time. This figure rises to 61% among travellers from China and 57% among those from the United States. Leisure is the main purpose of travel for 73% of respondents.
Cost remains a key barrier
Despite sustained interest in Europe, cost continues to influence travel decisions. Among those not planning a long-haul trip, 44% cite high costs as the main barrier, down five percentage points compared with last year. Meanwhile, among those planning to travel outside Europe, 30% cite cost as a reason for not choosing the continent, compared with a higher proportion the previous year.
The findings paint a picture of a market in which Europe continues to hold a strong position, despite the slowdown in overall travel intentions. For Greece, the 15% share is an indication of interest from long-haul markets in travel during September–December 2026. How this interest translates into arrivals and overnight stays will depend on whether these intentions turn into actual trips.
Source: European Travel Commission (ETC) and Interrail, Long-Haul Travel Barometer 3/2026.
