Travel Trends
Now, European Tourism Holds Steady in Q2 2025: Malta Joins Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania and Hungary In Leading the Growth
Monday, July 7, 2025
Europe’s tourism sector demonstrated resilience in the second quarter of 2025, with international arrivals increasing by 3.3% compared to the same period in 2024. However, the number of nights spent declined slightly by 0.7%, a trend attributed to calendar effects, including the later timing of Easter and shifts in school holiday schedules. Despite these fluctuations, overall travel expenditure is projected to rise by 13% in 2025, indicating a higher average spend per trip.
Off-Season Travel Trends: Rising Demand for Sun and Beach Holidays
One of the key trends emerging in Q2 2025 is the rising demand for off-season sun and beach holidays. Search activity for spring getaways surged by 36% year-on-year among European travelers, as many opted for spring holidays to avoid the intense summer heat and overcrowded tourist spots. The later timing of Easter, which shifted to late April in 2025, contributed to this surge. However, the trend also points to changing traveler preferences, with an increasing number of individuals choosing destinations that offer pleasant weather during the shoulder season.
Malta, with its favorable climate and robust flight connections, experienced a 19% increase in arrivals in Q2 2025, marking it as one of the standout performers. Similarly, Cyprus posted a 16% rise in tourist numbers. Cyprus, which offers year-round appeal with its Mediterranean climate and rich cultural heritage, continues to benefit from increased flight availability and greater demand from both European and international travelers.
Additionally, Spain (+7%) and Portugal (+3%) also saw increases in tourist arrivals during the off-season. This demonstrates that even the larger Mediterranean destinations are increasingly benefiting from spring and shoulder-season tourism. Notably, these trends suggest that travelers are becoming more flexible and seeking alternative travel times to avoid the typical summer crowding and to benefit from lower prices.
Central and Eastern Europe: Strong Growth Amidst Recovery
Another area of notable growth in Q2 2025 is Central and Eastern Europe. Destinations such as Latvia, Lithuania, and Hungary reported impressive increases in international arrivals. Latvia saw a 16% year-on-year increase, Lithuania followed closely with a 15% rise, and Hungary recorded a 14% jump in tourist numbers. This growth is driven by a combination of factors, including better air connectivity and a continued recovery from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the regional effects of the Russo-Ukrainian war.
The resurgence of tourism in these regions is an encouraging sign, as many of these countries had previously struggled to attract large volumes of international visitors. With more flights, increased investment in tourism infrastructure, and a rich cultural and historical offering, these countries are quickly becoming appealing destinations for travelers seeking unique experiences in Europe.
This trend is expected to continue as more travelers look beyond the traditional hotspots of Western Europe, such as France, Italy, and Spain, to discover the charm and affordability of the Baltics and Central Europe. Latvia, Lithuania, and Hungary offer a wealth of history, architecture, and cultural events, providing travelers with immersive experiences at more competitive prices.
Price Sensitivity and Increasing Spending
One challenge facing the European tourism sector is rising prices. The cost of tourism-related services has increased across the continent, with international flights to Southern European destinations rising 5% and international package holidays increasing by 7% in the first four months of 2025. These price hikes are likely to influence travelers’ choices, with many opting for destinations that offer better value for money.
Despite price sensitivity, the overall tourism spend in Europe is expected to increase significantly in 2025. Tourism expenditure across Europe is forecast to rise by 13% compared to 2024. This suggests that while consumers are becoming more price-conscious, they are still willing to spend more during their trips. Many travelers are choosing destinations that provide a combination of competitive prices and high-quality experiences, allowing them to get more value for their money.
Countries like Malta, Cyprus, and Portugal, which combine attractive pricing with high-quality tourism experiences, are well-positioned to benefit from this trend. These destinations offer a mix of natural beauty, cultural heritage, and affordable accommodations, making them appealing options for tourists looking for a great experience without overspending.
Long-Haul Travel Resilience
Travel from long-haul markets such as the United States and China also showed strong resilience in Q2 2025. Despite economic uncertainty and geopolitical tensions, the U.S. market continues to be a major source of visitors to Europe. U.S. travelers’ desire for European experiences, from cultural cities to Mediterranean beaches, has remained robust, with the Nordics seeing strong growth in U.S. arrivals. Norway (+35%) and Denmark (+24%) reported significant year-on-year increases in overnight stays.
In addition to the Nordic region, Southern European destinations such as Croatia (+18%), Montenegro (+17%), and Greece (+16%) also experienced solid gains in U.S. arrivals. The affordability of certain Southern European destinations, coupled with their rich cultural offerings, has made them increasingly attractive to U.S. tourists.
On the other hand, the recovery of Chinese tourism to Europe has shown encouraging signs in Q2 2025. All reporting destinations in Europe have recorded an increase in Chinese arrivals or nights spent compared to the same period in 2024. Smaller destinations, such as Croatia (+7%), Estonia (+15%), and Romania (+20%), have seen a notable boost in Chinese tourism. This growth is partly attributed to better flight connectivity from Chinese cities to major European hubs like Paris and Madrid.
This resurgence of Chinese travelers is expected to continue, as rising incomes in China, improved flight connectivity, and favorable travel policies support the recovery of Chinese tourism to Europe. The shift away from U.S. travel to Europe among Chinese visitors, partly driven by geopolitical tensions, has also supported this trend.
Looking Ahead: European Tourism in the Summer of 2025
As Europe heads into peak summer months, the tourism industry is set to grow further. Those locations providing unusual experiences, cultural attractions, and good value will gain increased visits. Off-season tourism travel pattern shifts, especially in the spring and autumn seasons, will also continue to influence the industry.
The European Travel Commission emphasizes innovation in the tourism industry to satisfy contemporary travelers while ensuring sustainability. This encompasses investing in sustainable travel practices that benefit both travelers and communities locally to ensure that travel works for everybody and has a low environmental footprint.
Overall European travel in Q2 2025 has continued to be robust with greater travel in key markets such as Malta, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, and Hungary. As the summer months gain traction, the continent will continue to hold its position as one of the globe’s top travel destinations with strong demand matched with sustainable and value-led travel solutions.
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Travel Trends
Actions for Hoteliers to Leverage Emerging Travel Trends : 4Hoteliers
Travelers are blending business with leisure, seeking cooler climates, and working from inspiring new locations, but the hotel industry has largely remained unresponsive.
The data may not yet fully reflect the volume of these burgeoning trends, but this signals a crucial opportunity for proactive hoteliers to move beyond generic offerings and capture a growing market of guests seeking higher value and tailored experiences.
The disconnect between trending topics and hotel actions is apparent. Standard hotel offerings leave many travelers in these emerging categories underserved. Hotels have a clear opportunity to differentiate themselves and build guest loyalty.
Instead of waiting for overwhelming statistical evidence, savvy hoteliers should be at the forefront, shaping their services to meet and exceed the expectations of these new traveler personas. Here are three key actions hoteliers should take to interpret and act on the latest trends, ensuring they capture their full impact.
1. Deep Dive into Data and Decipher the “Why”
Understanding a trend’s relevance to your specific property is crucial before taking meaningful action. Acknowledging a new buzzword isn’t enough; investigate how it appears in your market and guest data to gain a deeper understanding of its relevance. Moving beyond guesswork and manual spreadsheet analysis is essential.
To truly unlock these insights, you need a hotel business intelligence (BI) system. A modern BI platform automates the collection and analysis of data from all your key systems—your Property Management System (PMS), point-of-sale (POS), and even online guest reviews. Instead of relying on gut feelings, a BI system provides a comprehensive view of guest behavior.
It can flag patterns, such as increasing lengths of stay that bridge a Thursday to a Monday (a classic bleisure indicator), correlate guest origin with on-site spending, or track booking lead times from specific markets. This technology enables you to identify emerging trends with statistical confidence, allowing you to act decisively while your competitors are still discussing it.
With this powerful analytical foundation, you can begin to dig deeper. Are you seeing longer stays that bridge weekdays and weekends? Are guests inquiring about workspaces or the reliability of high-speed internet? Is there an uptick in visitors from regions experiencing extreme heat during certain times of the year? A BI system will not only help you ask these questions but also give you the clear, data-backed answers you need to build your strategy.
2. Reimagine and Repurpose Your Physical Spaces
Once you have a handle on the trends impacting your business, the next step is to adapt your physical environment. A one-size-fits-all approach to hotel rooms and common areas will no longer suffice.
For the “work-from-anywhere” guest, this means more than just a desk and a chair. Consider creating dedicated, well-equipped workstations that feature ergonomic seating, ample power outlets, and excellent lighting for video calls. Could a lesser-used common area be transformed into a stylish and functional co-working space? Offering day passes to these spaces can also attract local remote workers, creating a new revenue stream.
Attract “bleisure” travelers by ensuring a seamless transition between work and relaxation. Offer packages that bundle a spa treatment or a happy hour credit with a room booking. Create a “Business and Leisure” section on your website to highlight your meeting facilities and proximity to local attractions.
For “coolcationers,” the focus shifts to the experience of the destination. While you can’t change the weather, you can enhance the enjoyment of it. Partner with local tour operators to offer unique excursions that capitalize on the pleasant climate, such as guided hikes, boat trips, or outdoor yoga sessions. In-room, you could provide amenities that encourage exploration, like pre-loaded transit cards or a curated guide to local parks and outdoor cafes.
Travel Trends
Film-Inspired Travel Campaigns : Tourism Fiji
Produced by Special PR and directed by James Anderson, with on-location filming by Radlab, the campaign centers on Wilson’s symbolic return to Fiji. The story begins as he is discovered on the white-sand shores of Serenity Island Resort by a young Fijian girl named Lani. She embraces Wilson with a sense of wonder, inviting him into a series of memorable, culturally rich experiences. These include “cycling along historic sugar cane rail tracks with Eco Trax, kayaking in crystal-clear waters, partaking in a traditional Kava ceremony, and engaging in a spirited game of volleyball.”
This film-inspired campaign blends cinematic nostalgia with authentic Fijian hospitality, highlighting the destination’s enduring appeal and reinforcing Fiji’s position as a welcoming, adventure-filled travel destination for global audiences.
Image Credit: Tourism Fiji
Travel Trends
Travel-Friendly Summer Apparel : Lake Geneva Series
Emphasizing breathable materials, polished silhouettes, and functionality, the Lake Geneva Series features a selection of wardrobe essentials that seamlessly transition from leisure to casual outings. Key pieces include the ‘Dealmaker Chino+ Short’ and the ‘Dealmaker 5 Pocket Pant,’ both designed to balance structure with flexibility. These are complemented by the ‘Adapt Tee,’ known for its lightweight performance fabric, and the ‘Pro Weekender,’ a sleek and comfortable top suited for travel or unwinding.
Each garment in the collection reflects Public Rec’s ongoing commitment to comfort-led innovation, ensuring that style and practicality go hand in hand—no matter where the summer journey leads.
Image Credit: Public Rec
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