Published on
October 16, 2025
In 2024, Luxembourg, Belgium, and Malta are opting for global escapes, driven by a combination of increased international connectivity and a rising demand for new cultural experiences beyond Europe. Meanwhile, Spain, Romania, France, and Greece are focusing on domestic travel, influenced by strong economic growth and a deeper appreciation for their own rich cultural heritage. This contrast reflects the European Union’s powerful growth and diverse travel preferences, as citizens seek both international adventure and local exploration, shaping the continent’s evolving tourism trends.
In 2024, residents of the European Union took 1.19 billion trips, which included both personal and business travel, marking an increase of 4.4% compared to the previous year, according to Eurostat. Despite this growth, the majority of Europeans continue to prefer destinations within the EU, with 92% of all trips being intra-European. This trend highlights a consistent preference for staying within familiar borders and close geographic proximity, which has remained largely unchanged even as travel numbers have risen.
Of the total number of trips made, 850 million (71%) were domestic, while 250 million (21%) were to other EU countries. This suggests that Europeans are primarily opting for domestic destinations, with international travel accounting for a smaller but still significant portion of overall trips. The preference for domestic travel reflects a tendency to visit well-known or nearby locations, which might offer greater convenience, affordability, and comfort compared to more distant or unfamiliar destinations.
Certain EU countries see particularly high rates of domestic travel. For example, Romania reported that 90% of its residents’ trips were domestic, making it the leader in domestic travel among EU countries. Other countries with high shares of domestic travel include Spain (88%), and France, Portugal, and Greece (85%). These figures underscore a strong attachment to local destinations and the cultural and recreational attractions available within their own borders. It also reflects a sense of stability and comfort that domestic travel offers, especially after the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Conversely, some EU countries see lower domestic travel rates, particularly smaller markets that are more oriented toward international travel. Luxembourg, for instance, had only 5% of its trips classified as domestic. Similarly, Belgium (23%) and Malta (35%) also reported lower domestic travel shares. The lower rates of domestic travel in these regions are partly due to their smaller geographic size, which leads many residents to travel abroad, often to other EU countries, for work or leisure. The trend suggests that for these smaller nations, international travel is an essential part of life and offers a broader range of opportunities and experiences.
Although the majority of travel occurs within national borders, spending patterns reveal that international travel tends to involve higher financial outlays. In 2024, EU residents collectively spent €257.2 billion on domestic travel, while spending on international travel amounted to €360.7 billion. This disparity indicates that when Europeans venture beyond their own borders, they are typically committing to more expensive trips. The costs associated with international travel are often higher due to longer stays, greater distances, and the need for accommodations and transportation options that cater to more diverse and international needs.
Accommodation and transportation constitute the largest share of travel expenses, both domestically and internationally. For domestic trips, 33.9% of total spending (€87.2 billion) went toward accommodation, while 21.3% (€54.8 billion) was spent on transport. On the other hand, international travel saw a larger share of spending on accommodation (35.4% or €127.7 billion) and transport (31.9% or €115.1 billion). The higher spending on accommodation and transport for international trips is likely due to the need for longer stays, more elaborate travel arrangements, and the associated costs of traveling to more distant locations.
The data suggests that international travel generally involves longer vacations or more complex business trips, whereas domestic trips tend to be shorter in duration and often involve private means of transport, such as cars or trains. Domestic travel can be more flexible and spontaneous, with fewer logistical barriers to overcome, which may explain why it remains so prevalent in the EU.
Eurostat attributes the ongoing preference for nearby destinations to several factors, many of which have been shaped by the events of the past few years. Post-pandemic trends, for example, show that many Europeans now prioritize cheaper, easily accessible options for travel. With many facing financial uncertainties and a desire for stability, intra-European travel has become increasingly attractive. It is easier and often cheaper to travel within the EU, where currency, language, and travel regulations are familiar and convenient. Additionally, the free movement of people within the EU encourages such trends, as citizens can travel without requiring visas or complex documentation, making it easier to move between countries.
The EU’s single market and its policy of free movement continue to play a critical role in supporting this dynamic. The ability to travel freely within member states not only enhances the sense of unity and interconnectedness across the region but also supports tourism-related businesses in sectors such as hospitality, transportation, and retail. The EU’s large internal market allows companies in these industries to benefit from a steady stream of both domestic and international customers, providing them with the stability to grow and innovate.
In 2024, Luxembourg, Belgium, and Malta are embracing global escapes due to a growing desire for international adventure and better connectivity, while Spain, Romania, France, and Greece prioritize domestic getaways, driven by economic growth and a focus on local heritage. This reflects the EU’s diverse travel preferences, fueled by both global exploration and regional pride.
As the EU continues to experience a steady volume of 1.19 billion trips annually, it remains one of the most active and interconnected tourism regions in the world. The data points to a robust travel economy that supports thousands of businesses across a wide range of sectors. In many ways, the EU’s tourism market exemplifies the success of regional integration, where citizens can travel easily across borders and support a diverse array of industries that rely on tourism and mobility. This interconnectedness positions Europe as a major player in the global tourism landscape, with a long-standing tradition of welcoming travelers from within and beyond its borders.
