European Tourism 2021 – Trends & Prospects (Q2/2021)

TOURISM REBOUND FEELS WITHIN SIGHT AHEAD OF THE SUMMER SEASON

European travel demand remained weak in early 2021 as international tourist arrivals dropped 83% in the first quarter of the year compared to the same period in 2020[1]. The gradual easing of restrictions, the ramp-up in vaccinations in Europe, and the reopening of the EU to fully vaccinated travellers from third countries provide some momentum ahead of the peak summer months. Down-side risks remain following the surge in infections of the new and more transmissible Covid-19 Deltavariant, which could force the return of travel restrictions.

Mass vaccinations have been essential to kickstart travel sentiment with 54% of surveyed Europeans intending to book a trip once they have been vaccinated against Covid-19[2]. This sentiment is in line with a recent EU survey which shows that 75% of respondents believe that Covid-19 vaccines are the only way to end the pandemic, and 49% agree that getting a vaccine is very important to allow them to resume travel[3]. However, uneven vaccination rates, will lead to an uneven recovery across Europe.

[1] UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO)

[2] “Monitoring Sentiment for Domestic and Intra-European Travel – Wave 7”

[3] Flash Eurobarometer 494 – Attitudes on vaccination against Covid-19