Trasporti
European Travel Commission Reports Sustained Expansion in Europe Over the Summer Months
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% 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 . In Iceland (+6%) robust travel demand from the US and Russia was able to offset declines from a wide range of source markets while " " market share now returning to Northern Africa and Turkey may explain Spain's slowdown (-0.1%).
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. 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%).
said Eduardo Santander , Executive Director of ETC.
1. UNWTO
Contact: Miguel Gallego, press@visiteurope.com, +32-2548-9000