In 2023, more tourists from outside Europe visited the European Union (EU), showing a clear change in global travel trends.
Eurostat reported that non-European tourists made up 15.6% of total nights spent in EU accommodations, up from 12.6% in 2022.
This increase shows Europe’s growing popularity with travelers from around the world and the growing impact of global tourism on the EU’s travel industry.
Growing presence of non-European tourists
In 2023, EU accommodations recorded nearly 2.9 billion nights, with domestic tourists accounting for about 1.6 billion and international visitors for 1.4 billion.
Non-European tourists played a key role, contributing 60 million more nights compared to the previous year. This increase meant an average of 164,000 extra foreign visitors each night, reinforcing the EU’s position as a top global travel destination.
North American tourists made up 7.1% of all international stays, while travelers from Asia accounted for 4.6%. Central and South America, Oceania, and Africa contributed smaller but noticeable shares at 2.2%, 1.0%, and 0.7%, respectively.
Meanwhile, tourists from other EU countries made up 62.4% of international stays, highlighting the strong influence of travel within Europe.
Key destinations for foreign tourists
In 2023, Spain and Croatia were top destinations for foreign tourists in the EU.
The Canary Islands, Balearic Islands, and Croatia’s coastal region attracted 16.4% of all international tourist stays.
These areas are popular for beach tourism, which fits with the broader EU trend, where nearly half of all tourist nights (48%) were spent at coastal accommodations.
Malta, Cyprus, and Greece were also key beach destinations, with most tourism focused along their coastlines.
Other regions, like Cataluña, Andalucia, and Île-de-France, also drew many foreign visitors. Southern European countries remain popular due to their pleasant climates and rich cultural experiences.
(Image courtesy of GoranQ via iStock)
What visitors should expect
The increase in non-European tourists is impacting both short-term and long-term travel to the EU.
Short-term visitors, especially from North America and Asia, are showing more interest in exploring Europe’s cities and natural landscapes.
This shift could lead to more customized travel packages and services for non-European guests, especially in popular cities like Paris, Barcelona, and Venice.
In the long term, rising numbers of visitors from outside Europe may drive changes in visa and travel processes.
The upcoming European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS), launching in 2024, will allow visa-exempt travelers to get authorization before entering the Schengen Area.
This system is expected to simplify travel for tourists from places like North America and Asia, likely boosting their numbers even more.
EU’s growing migration dilemma
The rise in non-European tourism also raises questions about the EU’s immigration policies.
As more visitors from outside Europe show interest in working or studying in the EU, there may be a need to reassess visa and residency rules.
While tourist visas are short-term, increased exposure to EU cities and opportunities could encourage long-term migration.
Countries like Spain, Italy, and Greece, which rely heavily on tourism, might see more foreign nationals seeking temporary or permanent residency, drawn by the appealing lifestyle.
This could lead to changes in national immigration strategies, with a focus on attracting skilled workers, digital nomads, or students from outside Europe.
(Image courtesy of Catalina Carvajal Herrera via Pexels)
Reflecting on tourism’s globalization
The increase in non-European tourists reinforces the EU’s role as a global travel hub.
As European tourism recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic, the growing number of visitors from regions like North America and Asia marks a new phase of international engagement.
This expansion benefits local economies, especially in regions that rely heavily on tourism.
As the travel industry changes, the EU will need to balance its openness to tourists with managing migration and long-term residency requests.
In a more connected world, Europe remains a top destination not only for short-term vacations but also for people seeking new life experiences.
Source link : https://etias.com/articles/eu-sees-surge-in-tourists-from-outside-europe
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Publish date : 2024-10-29 00:59:00
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