European Travel Commission Reports Sustained Expansion in Europe Over 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" (http://www.etc-corporat
e.org/reports/european-tourism-2018-trends-and-prospects-(q3-2018)),
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

ots Originaltext: The European Travel Commission
Im Internet recherchierbar: http://www.presseportal.de

Original-Content von: The European Travel Commission, übermittelt durch news aktuell