European Travel Commission (ETC) has just released its report “Monitoring Sentiment for Intra-European Travel”, providing exclusive insights on mid-2025 travel trends within Europe. The findings suggest that travel is still high on the agenda for Europeans, despite prevailing economic headwinds, with a substantial 77% saying they expect to travel between June and November 2025. There is a clear shift in preferences away from more crowded, noisy places, and more than half of travellers have expressed interest in off-the-beaten-track destinations.

Desire to Travel is Strong and Across all Demographics

The report shows that travel enthusiasm comes from all age groups, particularly 55 and older (82% are planning on traveling in the next few months). This is the group with the highest intent to travel, while the 45-54 (79%) and 35-44-year-olds (78%) also have strong intent to travel. The younger demographic, particularly the 18 to 24 age range, express slightly lower intention to travel, at 66 percent who plan to travel, despite financial and time barriers.

ETC President, Miguel Sanz, commented on the results stating “Europeans are not prepared to trade in their travel plans for anything.” He also identified a trend of the increasing appeal of quieter destinations, particularly in the shoulder seasons, which provides the opportunity for destinations to promote themselves as sustainable and less crowded option.

Increased Interest in Off-Peak Travel

July and August are still the most popular summer months for holidays, with one in four Europeans choosing them for travel, but September is becoming more and more popular. A significant number of Europeans, 22 percent, are looking at early autumn jaunts, eyeing cooler weather, fewer tourists and a better exchange rate. This trend for off-peak travel seems to show that Europeans are increasingly inclined to look for quiet places and slow down in the main tourist season.

Surge in Regional Travel

Cross-border trips in Europe will continue to thrive, as 91% of Europeans intend to travel within the continent. A significant proportion of this (65%) will visit neighbouring countries, with 32% opting for longer-haul travels across Europe – a 5% increase on last year. The increased interest for destinations in distant Europe reflects a certain need to travel for diverse cultural experiences and yet feel like it’s easier to do, safer and more accessible than a regional trip.

The Mediterranean continues to reign as the most desirable region, with Spain taking the lead (13 per cent) over Italy (10 per cent), France (8 per cent) and Greece (6 per cent).

Preference for Less-Crowded Destinations

Among the report’s most noticeable trends is a desire for more tranquil destinations. European tourists are increasingly shying away from big-name destinations due to overcrowding fears. The percentage of those troubled by “too many travellers” in popular spots has jumped +3% to 11% in 2024, and today 11% of travellers are also emphasizing “fewer crowds”−+4% compared with 2023.

In reaction to this trend 55% of Europeans say they intend to go on summer vacations to less mainstream destinations, up from 48% in spring 2025. On the contrary, traditional tourist destinations are losing ground, with no more than 45% intending to go to popular sites.

Rising Interest in Car Travel

Europeans shunning more crowded and less accessible destinations are taking to their cars. Thirty-two percent of travellers are planning to drive in 2025, compared to the 28 per cent for 2024 — a four percentage point increase. One reason behind this change is the flexibility and comfort of car transport, especially for getting to destinations that are less well-served by public transit.

Yet air travel continues to be the most popular transport form, preferred by 53% of Europeans, due mainly to its speed (27%) and cost (21%).

Travel Budgets Show Stability

Amid economic uncertainty, 62% of Europeans say they will leave their travel budgets unchanged for the second half of 2025, and 22% say they will spend more on travel. This stability is an indication of the importance of travel in the lives of Europeans, despite financial constraint.

The report also makes note of a change in consumption habits. The trend of spending between €1,500 to €2,500 per person on trips has been reversed, with an increase in the amount being spent, up 3% from 2024. Top spend categories are accommodation (32%) and food & beverages (24%), yet it´s a different story for different generations. The older (45+) place priority on comfort and gourmet dining, whereas while the younger ones (less than 35) put more aside for experiences, shopping and well-being.

Conclusion

Travel might be experiencing slight disturbances as a result of economic concerns but it still is a priority for Europeans, who are more and more looking for quieter, less populated destinations. This increasing focus on off-peak and regional travel also provides a chance for destinations to respond and adjust to the changing needs of European travelers. European destinations in a more resilient and balanced tourism sector by promoting off the beaten track destinations and making available sustainable travel.