According to the most recent edition of the "European Tourism Trends & Prospects" quarterly report from European Travel Commission (ETC), overall transatlantic travel is set to pick up in 2022 due to increased vaccination rates and destinations around the world easing travel restrictions.
Driven by strong domestic and intra-European travel, Europe's overall travel demand is projected to be 30 per cent below pre-pandemic levels in 2022. While domestic travel is expected to recover entirely in 2022, international travel recover will be slower is not likely to surpass 2019 levels until 2025, according to the report.
Canadian Travel to Europe on the Rise
Annual average growth from Canadian travel to Europe is expected to be up 36 per cent overall in the five-year period 2020-2025, with the fastest increase expected to be in travel to Southern Europe (42.8 per cent).
“With the ease of restrictions across many European destinations, we are excited to welcome back avid Canadian travellers,” said Pascal Prinz, Chair of ETC’s Chapter in Canada. “Air bookings to Europe are strong. All major carriers are ramping up their transatlantic flight schedule, offering Canadians great deals and direct flights to experience Europe.”
According to the latest ETC Long-Haul Travel Barometer, "good flight connections" between Canada and Europe are a key driver of positive sentiment about European travel. Younger generations are the most likely to travel long-haul during 2022 – 57 per cent of 18-34 year-olds, compared to 46 per cent of 35-49 year-olds, and 32 per cent of the 50+ age group.
The variety of cycling routes in the region as well as rail and road trips also help drive sentiment for visiting Europe, according to the ETC. More than half (54 per cent) of Canadian respondents shared an interest in visiting European metropolitan areas, with France, Italy, the UK, Germany, and Switzerland on top of their destination list. Meanwhile, coastal, and mountainous regions appear to be in equal demand among Canadians (both 27 per cent).
COVID-19 concerns (48 per cent) are the main barrier to international travel for Canadians, with travel costs (12 per cent) and restrictions at destinations (8 per cent) also slightly above the combined average of long-haul markets overall.
Knowing that the country effectively handles the pandemic (30 per cent), flexible cancellation policies (28 per cent), fully lifted travel restrictions (27 per cent), getting vaccinated for Covid-19 (25 per cent) and appropriate health protocols that "secure the safety of locals and travellers" (23 per cent) are the factors listed as most important for boosting Canadian travellers’ confidence.
The ETC's full Long-Haul Travel Barometer report can be found on its web site.
The organization is reminding travel advisors of the available resources to support them. To check for entry requirements for each country, advisors can find the latest information at reopen.europa.eu and contact the National Tourist Board of the respective country.
