Summer 2026 Sees Surge in European Travel Despite Shorter Stays and Budget Constraints :: Hospitality Trends

Record Travel Intentions for 2026

According to the European Travel Commission’s latest Monitoring Sentiment for Intra-European Travel (Wave 24), 82% of Europeans plan to travel between April and September 2026. This represents a 10% increase compared to the previous year and is the highest level recorded since 2020. The data indicates that younger Europeans are a significant factor in this growth, with travel intentions rising by 21% among 18–24-year-olds and by 16% among 25–34-year-olds.

Shorter Stays and Reduced Trip Frequency

Despite the increase in overall travel intentions, Europeans are planning shorter trips. The most common trip length is now 4 to 6 nights, reported by 38% of travelers, which is a 3% increase from last year. In contrast, longer stays of 7 to 12 nights have declined to 37%, down by 5%. The number of trips is also decreasing, with 39% of Europeans intending to take only one trip in the next six months, a 7% increase over the previous year. The proportion of travelers planning at least two trips has dropped to 57%.

Budget Adjustments and Spending Priorities

More travelers are setting moderate budgets for their trips. The share of those planning to spend up to €1,000 per trip has increased by 4%. Meanwhile, the proportion of higher-spending travelers, those budgeting €1,500 or more, has decreased by 9% compared to last season. Travelers are prioritizing spending on accommodation, followed by food, drinks, and activities at their destinations. Interest in luxury experiences has declined by 3% since last year.

Factors Influencing Destination Choices

Safety is the leading criterion for choosing a travel destination, cited by 22% of respondents. Other important factors include pleasant and stable weather (15%) and attractive deals (14%). Concerns about rising travel costs affect 20% of Europeans, while worries related to geopolitical tensions, particularly in the Middle East, have increased by 9 percentage points to 18%.

Intra-European Travel and Destination Preferences

Travel within Europe remains dominant, with 90% of respondents planning to stay within the continent. There is a growing preference for cross-border travel within Europe, with 65% planning such trips, a 4% increase from last year. Interest in more distant European destinations has also risen by 4%, nearly matching the demand for travel to neighboring countries.

Southern and Mediterranean Europe are the most popular regions for spring and summer holidays, attracting nearly 60% of travelers. Demand for these destinations has increased by 17%. Spain is the top choice, with 14% of travelers, followed by Italy (11%), France (8%), Greece (6%), and Portugal (6%).

Changing Travel Patterns

Multi-country trips are becoming less popular, while more travelers are opting to visit multiple cities within a single country. The proportion of travelers planning multi-city trips within a single destination has increased by 5%, to 42%. This trend suggests a preference for deeper exploration of individual countries rather than broader, multi-country itineraries.