According to the latest report from the European Tourism Commission (ETC), most Europeans plan to travel this winter. Between October 2024 and March 2025, almost three out of four Europeans will go backpacking, this is a 6% increase compared to the same period last year.
The report on Europeans’ travel preferences , which is the ETC’s 20th edition, reveals high travel intentions from Europe’s largest tourism markets. The UK leads the way, with 84% of respondents expressing a strong desire to travel 10% more than in 2023. This is followed by Germany with 79%, up 16% YoY, and France with 78%, up 15% compared to last year.
The increase is observed mainly in the younger age groups who plan to travel this winter. In the 25-34 age group, intention reached 75% which is a 9% increase from last year. Similarly, 64% of 18-34 year olds and 78% of 35-44 year olds say they plan to travel this winter, which is up 8% and 7% respectively. These age groups show a preference for city breaks and seaside destinations.
Winter travel destinations
Older generations have slightly different intentions, for example, 75% of over 55s plan to travel in autumn as well as winter, this number is up 4% from last year. Almost half of them choose to stay more than 7 nights, looking mainly for cultural experiences and exploring nature. They prefer destinations with developed infrastructure which allows for easy travel on public transport and a familiar atmosphere.
The most popular destinations for this age group are Spain and France, with a preference of 7% each, followed by Italy with 6%, while Germany, Austria and Greece reach 5% each.
Around 51% of Europeans gravitate towards less crowded destinations, with 38% preferring non-touristy areas and 18% looking for secluded locations off the beaten track. In fact, 50% of Polish people surveyed preferred quieter destinations, 45% and Spaniards did and 44% of Dutch participants did.
Funding travel plans
19% of Europeans are concerned about travel costs, although this concern has decreased by 3% since last year. 27% plan to spend €500- €1,000 per trip, while 26% plan to spend €1,500- € 2,500, an increase of 3% from last year.
Considerations for those who plan to travel
15% are worried about the economic situation, 13% about the war in Ukraine and 9% about the conflict in the Middle East. Concerns about the weather have fallen by 4% and are now at 10%. At the same time, 9% express concerns about possible disruptions due to strikes or staff shortages and another 9% about overcrowding at popular holidaydestinations.
When it comes to choosing a destination, safety is the top priority for 18%, followed by climate stability and tourist attractions 12% each. The hospitality of locals is also important to 10% of travelers who want to feel welcomed to at their chosen holiday destination.
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