Turismo
Continued Growth in European Tourism Demand
According to the European Travel Commission's latest report, "European Tourism - Trends & Prospects", the majority of destinations featured an outstanding performance in visitor numbers over the summer period. Fastest growth was recorded by Iceland (+34%), driven by both short and long-haul markets, followed by Slovakia and Cyprus (both +19%), the latter benefiting from deferred Russian travel typically bound for Turkey . Standout growth destinations were also, Bulgaria (+13%), Ireland and Portugal (both +12%). Off the beaten track destinations in Central and Eastern Europe such as Serbia, Slovenia , Lithuania , and Romania (all +10%) are the focus of bargain hunters and owe their success to on-going marketing efforts. On the other hand, Belgium (-13%) and Turkey (-32%) are still at low ebb this year, struggling to get back to past growth levels.
Although a weaker Sterling against the Euro has made travel abroad more expensive for Britons, they continue to travel as several destinations posted double-digit growth from the UK so far in 2016. A strong US Dollar and competitive air fares trump terrorism fears with most destinations seeing encouraging visitor arrivals from the US. Year-to-date data points at a 6% increase in US visitors compared to the same period last year. European destinations slowly rebound from a long period of weakness in tourist flows from Russia . Although year-to-date data exhibits a 4.5% decline in Russian arrivals to Europe , resulting from the country's staggering economy, in the longer run an estimated 8% annual average growth is forecasted by 2020. Despite uncertainty of safety and security fears dissuading Chinese travel to Europe , China continues to be a source of huge arrivals growth for many European destinations, partly due to the country's expanding middle classes.
"To foster Europe's competitiveness and achieve a better promotion of the region as a tourism destination, European authorities should capitalise on attracting investment from public and private stakeholders to increase tourists flows to Europe , especially from third markets," said Eduardo Santander , Executive Director of the European Travel Commission.
The "European Tourism - Trends & Prospects" is available for free download on http://www.etc-corporate.org/reports/european-tourism-2016-trends-and-prospects-(q3-2016)
[1] UNWTO
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