In many parts of Europe, the summer tourism frenzy has already begun.
The European Travel Commission forecasts strong demand for holidays in Europe in 2023, with nearly half of all destinations on the continent expecting a return of over 80% of 2019 figures, the pre-pandemic period.
According to travel insurer Allianz Partners, the number of Americans traveling to Europe this summer is expected to increase by 55% compared to last year’s already impressive figures, which were 600% higher than in 2021. London, Paris, and Dublin topped the list of the 10 most sought-after destinations, followed by Rome, Reykjavik, Amsterdam, and Lisbon.
Of course, all this demand has driven prices up. According to flight tracking website Hopper, airfare to Europe is at its highest in the last five years. Currently, round-trip tickets to the continent cost an average of over $1,200, about $300 more than in 2022 (and a 26% jump compared to pre-pandemic prices in 2019), according to the company.
Hotel prices have also risen. According to American Express Global Business Travel, hotel prices in Europe will see the largest increases in 2023. Paris (10% compared to the previous year), Stockholm (9%), and Dublin (8.5%) are among the destinations projected by AEGBT to have the highest increases.
Canned Sardine
However, high prices have not diminished the collective desire to travel to Europe. Many European hubs are already being overrun by tourists. Crowded hotels, packed museums, and bustling restaurants are becoming increasingly common, especially in highly sought-after cities like Barcelona, Rome, and Paris.
What is particularly surprising is how early in the season the crowds have arrived.
Plan Ahead
To cope with record crowds and higher costs this summer, many travelers heading to Europe will need to adjust their plans. For example, relying on trains, ferries, and rental cars to move between nearby destinations and avoid high flight costs is one of the most commonly used options.
Another tip is to better select the places you will visit. Since everything will be crowded and consequently demand more visiting time, choose what you really want to see, not just what everyone is talking about.
Source: CNN