The number of European travellers taking international trips rose 1% compared with 2007, against a 2% global increase. This accounted for 418 million of the world’s 934 million trips.
Germany was the biggest outbound market at 76 million trips, followed by the UK at 65 million, France 31 million, the Netherlands 24 million, Italy 23 million and Russia 20 million.
Europe recorded nearly half the world’s tourism income – €396 billion out of €800 billion. It also accounted for close to two-thirds of the world’s six billion room nights.
There was a 9% increase in trips of three nights or fewer in Europe, but no increase in longer trips.
Air travel rose just 1% in Europe compared with an average annual rise of 7% in the three previous years. Europe’s appetite for cruises increased 7% and there was a 6% rise in international rail trips.
Source:IPK International