Travel Trends
Travel Trends of Europe: Growing Interest in Quieter Places Europe Travel, Here’s What You Need to Know Now
Thursday, July 17, 2025
Pent-up demand is being unleashed for travel between June and November 2025, according to new research by the European Travel Commission (ETC). Almost 77% of Europeans intend to take at least one holiday despite ongoing economic troubles to a quieter places Europe travel.
Certainly, travel is important to many Europeans and in most cases, people have not dented their holiday budgets — they’ve added to them, if anything. Roughly 62 percent plan to keep travel spending flat and 22 percent plan to spend more.
Increasing Preference for Quieter Destinations
A report also found that there was a travel trend shift, with 55 percent of Europeans preferring to visit off-the-radar holiday destinations. That’s up from 48 percent earlier this spring, and at this point that is a clear trend to quieter, more contemplative vacation spots.
The surge in popularity for tranquil spots is down to the fact that people have grown wiser about the impact of overtourism. Concerns about over-tourism rose 3% from last summer, with 11% of those polled opting for a destination that is not as crowded, a figure that is up from 4% last year.
Miguel Sanz Highlights Sustainable Tourism
Travel-starved Europeans refuse to be cowered by economic uncertainty. ETC President Miguel Sanz said that Europeans in general are not prepared to sacrifice their travel in a period of economic uncertainty. He suggested that points of destination take advantage of this trend by marketing off-peak and sustainable tourism packages. Sanz also added that they can’t promote Playa Grande the first week of May and last week of October, shoulder months. This ensures that they are capable of marketing destinations that are not so full from between those two months.
Older Audiences Most Wanted
Much higher travel intentions were reported by Europeans aged 55 and over, with 82% intending to travel. Those most inclined to consider themselves satisfied were in the age ranges 45-54 and 35-44 (79%).
Somewhat lower, but still robust, for younger travelers aged 18-24, 66% have travel plans even in the face of time and money constraints.
Off-Peak Season Gains Popularity
July and August, being the classic travel season, will still be favored with 25% of the European population taking holidays in these two months. But September is emerging as a favorite time of year to travel, chosen by 22%. The shift to off-peak travel is motivated by milder weather as well as fewer crowds and better value.
Regional and Cross-border Travel Flourishing
The Continent itself, however, will remain the first-choice destination for 91% of Europeans – proving that the long lines of Europe’s landscapes and culture are the favored option. Just 8% have their sights set on travel further afield (expensive and geopolitical uncertainties).
Holidays between countries in Europe are 6.5% higher than the previous 12 months. There has been an increased appetite for more distant intra-European destinations too, with 32% saying they are increasingly interested in flying long-haul in Europe, compared with 27% last summer.
Mediterranean Destinations Remain Top Choices
The Mediterranean is still quite definitively Europe’s go-to, and the Med accounts for six of the top ten European favorites. Spain is top of the list with 13% of holidaymakers opting for the country, compared to 10% who chose Italy, 8% France, and 6% Greece. The ongoing popularity of these spots suggests their appeal is still going strong despite a growing number of travelers seeking more offbeat destinations.
Car Travel Increases Among Europeans
Airplanes remain the top way to get away (53%), but the hunt for less crowded destinations is stretching car travel in the minds of more Europeans as well (32%, plus 4%). Cars represent freedom, comfort, and give access to places not easily reachable in any other way, and that is exactly what many visitors are looking for in relatively unexplored destinations.
Budget Preferences and Spending Habits
As that thirst for value and convenience continues to grow, Europeans will have the tendency to prioritize value and convenience over everything else. The average travel budget increase is slight, but more are now spending (up 3% from last summer) between €1,500 and €2,500 per person. A higher shot-to-the-cost hit, however, is lodging (32%) and eating (24%).
Travelers aged 45+ tend to spend their money on comfort and food quality, and travelers younger than 35 years old invest more money in activities, wellness, shopping, and improving the way of life.
Embracing Sustainable and Responsible Tourism
An escalating love for off-the-beaten-path destinations also falls under the broader umbrella of a move towards sustainable travel. Travelers are becoming increasingly conscious of the environmental impact of their holiday choices, and are selecting destinations and experiences accordingly, opting to travel in a sustainable way.
Destinations looking to leverage this surge in support should consider investing in promoting sustainable products and experiences such as eco-accommodation, responsible tourism activities or experiences, and community experiences. Such initiatives can attract those who care about the environment and consequently result in a more sustainable industry.
Source Credit: www.etc-corporate.org
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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