The first measurable signs that Europeans travelers are starting to avoid destinations that are overcrowded, while at the same time looking for genuine empirical experience documented in a major pan-European study. Although Hellas remains in the top five holiday destinations for Europeans, including the British, August is generally a month to avoid. And this is because it is widely known that this is the month that attracts the most people, creating crowds on beaches, in human settlements, cultural and other attractions, and in transport infrastructure, often ruining the experience. holidays and attractiveness of destinations.

Thus, more Europeans are planning trips this spring and early summer than in previous years. Nearly 30% intend to travel between April and May (6% more than in 2022), while 40% are considering traveling in June or July and only 23% plan to travel in August and September (up 9 % less than last year). This data comes from a Mindhaus survey commissioned by the European Commission. Travel (European Travel Commission) with data collected in March on a sample of 6,000 people from all major Greek tourism markets.

It becomes clear that in Greece, as in competing countries such as France, Italy and Spain, the problem of mass tourism and simultaneously hosting a disproportionate number of visitors at a destination than the infrastructure, natural environment, and social fabric of local communities can support, has for many exceeded the limits of what is acceptable. However, in many cases, the appearance of destinations has changed so much that it in no way resembles the characteristics that made them popular in the first place.

However, European travel sentiment remains optimistic, though not higher than last year. 72% of Europeans plan to travel between April and September 2023 (-5% compared to the same period in 2022). The desire to travel is strongest among Europeans over 25 years old (74%), while among younger travelers (18-24 years old) only 61% intend to travel during this period.

And despite the adverse economic climate that has befallen the European economy, the budgets available for travel remain largely unchanged: in the coming months, 50% of Europeans intend to maintain their usual travel budget, while a good 19% plan to spend more than usual . . However, people remain concerned about rising travel costs (24%) and their personal finances (17%).

In the coming months, 50% of Europeans intend to maintain their usual travel budget, while 19% plan to spend more.

Traveling within Europe remains the top choice, with 30% of travelers planning to visit a neighboring European country, and 28% heading to a non-neighboring European country. At the same time, only 11% of those surveyed organize trips outside Europe.

It is worth noting, however, that Europeans prefer leisure travel (69%), down 7% from last year, while other reasons for travel are gaining momentum. Interest in business travel is growing slowly (+3% yoy).

The holiday category “sun and sea” retains its first place as the most preferred type of holiday for Europeans (19%), followed by “urban holidays” (15%) and “culture and heritage” (14%), i.e. travel . for the purpose of cultural exploration.

Some of them will travel more than once in the next six months: 59% of Europeans plan to make multiple trips by September 2023. This trend exceeds one-time trips, with 34% planning at least three trips (up 8% from a year earlier). At the same time, driving a car (26%) dropped sharply. The post-COVID-19 normalization of travel behavior could be a possible factor behind this change, leading to a wider range of accessible and preferred modes of transport. What is manifested in the dynamic growth of air travel to new historical highs.

35% are planning trips of 4 to 6 nights with an average budget of 501-1000 euros. The share of those who plan to spend more than 1,500 euros increased by 7% compared to 2022, reaching 37%. Among age groups, mature travelers (aged 54 and over) show more interest in longer and more expensive trips.

52% of Europeans have already fully or partially booked their next trip (an increase of 8% compared to 2022), a sign of growing consumer confidence now. Pleasant weather conditions (18%) and attractive offers (17%) are the main criteria for choosing a destination for Europeans, with preference for sparsely populated destinations rising to third place (11%).

Greece ranks 4th among the top 10 European destinations

At number 4 on the list of the top 10 European destinations that Europeans want to visit this season is Greece. But it is still very far from the first three countries, which in order are France, Spain and Italy. However, at the same time, it is significantly ahead of the following countries: Germany, Croatia, Portugal, Austria, Belgium and the UK. Looking individually at the European markets from which Greece attracts travelers, one can draw more accurate conclusions. For the Germans, Greece is the fifth preferred destination, as well as for the French and Belgians, and for the Spanish, Dutch and Swiss, it is not even in the top five. He ranks fourth with the British, and now with the Poles. Greece has the best performance in Italy, where it ranks third in preference.

However, all markets are now seeing a decline in August travel readiness. “This upward trend in demand beyond August has all the conditions to turn into an opportunity – at least in the medium term – for Greece and especially for the most popular Greek destinations such as most of the islands or Athens, which are still not in able to manage their success, solve issues of functionality and infrastructure, ensure the quality of life of their residents and, above all, decide what kind and in what direction they want development. But also for tourism enterprises, which, for the second consecutive period, find it extremely difficult to find the necessary personnel to maintain their services at a high level,” he comments. speaking with “Kathimerini” head of the company Mindhaus, which conducted the study, Theophilos Kyratsulis.

With regard to investments in the hospitality sector, which, as expected, are mainly concentrated in already established tourist destinations, it is now clear that their implementation will not be without problems both at the level of operation and at the level of wider acceptance by local communities, he adds.

In any case, while for some destinations, such as Mykonos and Santorini, the tourist “status quo” is extremely difficult to change and would require breaks and very bold interventions, what we are seeing is especially positive, timidly but steadily, as the development of new ones. alternative destinations, as well as specific communities, to realize that their authenticity (not only in the traditional sense), their human scale, the fact that they are away from the crowd, as well as the positive attitude of residents towards tourism activities, their strategic advantages and establish restrictions and conditions for their selection and maintenance.

They say no to the crowd

Perhaps pleasant weather conditions (18%) and attractive deals (17%) are the top two criteria for Europeans choosing a holiday destination, but now destination preference has risen to third place, and with a higher percentage. without people (11%). As the preference for outlying destinations grows (especially for travelers seeking nature or metropolitan experiences), second-tier cities and more remote natural areas can exploit their position and advertise themselves as “hidden treasures”. offering an authentic, unparalleled experience for the traveling public. This is one of the findings highlighted in the European Tourism Commission report.

“Immersion in the local culture is an important travel experience for Europeans. Tourism businesses are encouraged to promote cultural activities such as craft workshops, local cooking classes and homestays for both leisure and business travellers. Volatile weather and one of the warmest winters in Europe have affected travelers, with fears of extreme weather climbing to sixth place among travel-related worries (7%). However, fears of natural disasters seem to prevail as the investigation began weeks after the deadly earthquakes in Turkey.