Safety & Affordability Top Priorities for International Travellers to Europe in 2024
A recent European Travel Commission (ETC) study explored travel sentiment for the first four months of 2024, revealing that international travellers planning to visit Europe this year are prioritising safety and affordability.
Focusing on seven overseas markets, ETC revealed that of all travellers, those from Brazil, Australia, Canada, and South Korea had shown the highest interest in visiting Europe this year, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports.
As the ETC data points out, a significant 64 per cent of respondents still have plans for international travel in 2024 despite price increases.
EU emerges as the preferred destination for 75 per cent of those intending to travel abroad this year, with the remaining 25 per cent considering other regions for their travels.
It is especially clear that safety and economic factors play a pivotal role in travellers’ choice of destinations. Nevertheless, Europe’s enduring appeal and the resilience of its tourism sector remain steadfast.
According to ETC figures, safety tops the list for travellers to Europe in 2024, with 45 per cent prioritising safe travel environments. High-quality tourism infrastructure follows closely at 38 per cent.
Famous landmarks and affordability are also important, named by 35 per cent of overseas travellers. Canadian, American, and Australian travellers planning trips to Europe mainly focus on affordability. In addition, pleasant weather is decisive for 31 per cent of respondents.
As for Korean and Chinese travellers, data show that they look for European destinations that preserve natural and cultural heritage (33 per cent and 32 per cent, respectively), highlighting a preference for authenticity.
Despite concerns about cost, Chinese (50 per cent) and Brazilians (49 per cent) are most likely to travel to the EU this year, especially in the first four months.
On the other hand, Australians and South Koreans show moderate interest (about 40 per cent), while Canadians and Americans are less enthusiastic (28 per cent) about taking trips to Europe in the first four months of 2024.
On average, international travellers plan to visit three EU countries and stay on the continent for one to two weeks. Chinese and Brazilian travellers are willing to spend over €200 per day during their stay in Europe.
Moreover, an average budget of €100-200 is ideal among travellers from Australia and South Korea.
Only 21 per cent of travellers to Europe this year consider a daily budget of less than €100, with 36 per cent of Canadians opting for this option.
