The WTTC expects a strong recovery in the European travel and tourism sector for Easter and summer

In 2022, intra-European tourism seems to be in great recovery. The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has released the data of the partner ForwardKeys, the leading analysis and data company on travel. In fact, they revealed that flight bookings for Easter and summer have increased compared to last year, giving a positive boost to travel and tourism activities throughout Europe. Also according to ForwardKeys, bookings for intra-European travel in the Easter period have increased by more than 250%, while those in the summer are currently 80% above 2021 levels.

“Latest booking data shows Europeans are positive about travelling again. Bookings for Easter and summer are looking strong. Omicron has affected the start of the year, but as infections peak and the symptoms remain mild people are booking again”, says Julia Simpson, President and CEO of the WTTC. “The problems occur when governments react with travel restrictions. The World Health Organisation says that closing borders is pointless when Omicron is already prevalent. According to latest scientific evidence, although more transmissible, Omicron is less severe and leads to less hospitalisations and deaths. Therefore, we are calling on governments to reduce all travel restrictions and allow fully vaccinated travellers to move freely”.

According to booking data, intra-European travel during Easter and summer 2022 is expected to be 38 percent and 45 percent below pre-pandemic levels, respectively. However, as European countries continue to ease travel restrictions, early indications show that the recovery is accelerating and, as we move closer to summer, it could get even closer to 2019 levels. In addition, during the first quarter of 2022, intra-European travel is heading towards an increase in bookings of 275%, while the latest data on bookings show that international arrivals to European destinations could record an increase of more than 280% compared to the same period in 2021.