World Economic Forum – 19 July 2022
  • A new survey shows resurgent interest in travel across Europe this summer.
  • COVID-19 is no longer the primary worry for travellers, with inflation and family/personal concerns having taken over.
  • The World Economic Forum’s latest Travel and Tourism Development Index highlights the vital economic role of tourism.

The Northern Hemisphere summer holiday season is in full swing and as pandemic-related travel restrictions are lifted a new survey shows just how many Europeans are planning to take advantage.

Ipsos, in partnership with Europ Assistance, spoke to 15,000 people across 15 countries and found that 71% of Europeans plan to travel this summer – a 14 percentage point increase on last year.

A rebound following the COVID-19 pandemic

Most of those surveyed (72%) are ‘really excited’ or ‘happy to’ travel and travel habits have continued to return to some pre-COVID-19 norms. Foreign travel, city breaks, and air travel have all gained popularity this year after pandemic-induced slumps.

Interest in travel is up this year. Image: Ipsos

Indeed, COVID-19 is no longer the primary concern for travellers this year, inflation and personal/family concerns have overtaken it.

The survey shows that the proportion of holidaymakers in Europe this year is even higher than before the pandemic.

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