The report, published on Wednesday, highlights a sharp rise in travel bookings via online platforms such as Airbnb, Booking, Expedia Group, and Tripadvisor during the summer of 2024.
- 366.2 million nights were booked across the EU between July and September 2024—an 18% increase compared to the same period in 2023.
- August 2024 saw the greatest activity, with 152.2 million arrivals—up 21.6% year-on-year.
- Malta recorded the strongest surge in August (+41%), followed by Germany, France, and Lithuania.
- Poland took fifth place, experiencing a 27% rise in short-term bookings in August.
While Croatia, Bulgaria, and Slovenia posted more modest increases (+9.7%, +12.2%, and +13.6% respectively), Croatia’s Adriatic coastline still drew substantial tourist numbers earlier in the season. Analysts note that the overall figures demonstrate widespread recovery in Europe’s travel sector, as many destinations bounce back from recent travel disruptions.
Across the whole of 2023, nearly 719 million overnight stays were booked via short-term rental platforms in the EU. Paris was the most visited city, with close to 20 million nights booked, followed by Rome, Barcelona, and Lisbon. In Poland, the southern city of Kraków attracted 3.7 million online reservations, making it the nation’s top destination.
Experts say the data underscores a resilient summer tourism season in Europe, aided by pent-up demand for travel. With Poland securing a higher position among Europe’s favorite holiday spots, the country’s tourism authorities are optimistic about maintaining this momentum going forward.
(jh)
Source: PAP