European Travel Commission Reports Sustained Expansion in EuropeOver the Summer Months

Brussels (ots/PRNewswire) – European destinations reported healthy
growth this summer despite rising political risks and less relaxed
financial conditions posing a threat to the global economic outlook.
Growth momentum was boosted by robust intra-European demand and
improved air connectivity, notably from China.

According to the European Travel Commission’s latest report,
„European Tourism – Trends & Prospects 2018“, 32 out of 34 reporting
destinations registered some form of growth over the summer period,
with 1 in 4 enjoying double-digit expansion in arrivals. Europe saw a
+7%[1] increase in international tourist arrivals the first half of
2018 compared to the same period in 2017 with growth led by
Southern/Mediterranean destinations.

Turkey (+23%) saw double-digit increases from all reported source
markets. Fading security concerns and the depreciation of the lira
added to Turkey’s attractiveness to foreign holidaymakers. Sizeable
increases were also recorded in Greece (+19%) thanks to its seasonal
appeal and diversified offering whereas in Serbia (+15%) a visa-free
policy for Chinese travellers and better air connectivity boosted
arrivals growth. Malta (+16%) benefitted from its capital being a
designated European Capital of Culture in 2018. In Iceland (+6%)
robust travel demand from the US and Russia was able to offset
declines from a wide range of source markets while „borrowed“ market
share now returning to Northern Africa and Turkey may explain Spain’s
slowdown (-0.1%).

Amidst escalating trade wars and volatile economic conditions, travel
demand from Europe’s key long-haul source markets remains solid. In
the US, economic expansion and a stronger dollar underpin sustained
income and consumption growth. Virtually all reporting destinations
posted growth from this market which is expected to increase by +8%
in 2018. Chinese travellers were a source of extensive arrivals
growth in several Balkan destinations based on year-to-date data. The
Turkey Tourism year in China supported the upsurge in visitor numbers
in Turkey (+87%) while improved air connectivity drove growth in
Serbia (+104%), Montenegro (+64%) and Croatia (+41%).

„To avoid further slowdown and capitalise on the potential of tourism
to create jobs and to facilitate economic growth, the European Travel
Commission calls for better coordination of the instruments steering
the European tourism industry. Tourism stakeholders and
decision-makers, at all levels, should coordinate to invest wisely in
more sustainable and innovative tourism products and services to
improve the European visitors‘ experience,“ said Eduardo Santander,
Executive Director of ETC.

1. UNWTO

Contact: Miguel Gallego, press@visiteurope.com, +32-2548-9000

Digital press kit: http://www.ots.at/pressemappe/PR118726/aom

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