(06 March 2013) – The tourism sector is one of the few sectors that have continued to grow and create jobs, despite the crisis, according to the latest Flash Eurobarometer survey on the attitudes of Europeans towards tourism published today.
Seven out of ten Europeans travelled in 2012 (the same proportion as in 2011). And of EU holiday makers, as many as 88% spent their vacations somewhere within the EU, either in their own country or in another Member State.
The industry’s robust and resilient performance is expected to continue in 2013: three quarters of respondents to a recent EU survey (75%) are planning to go on holiday this year, although 34% will adapt their holiday plans to take the economic situation into account. Holiday plans for 2013 closely resembled the destinations chosen in 2012. Spain (12%), Italy (8%) and France (7%) are still the most preferred destinations, and 51% plan to take a holiday in their own country.
Staying in paid accommodation or staying with friends or relatives increased in popularity compared to 2011. 92% of EU respondents were satisfied with the quality of accommodation in 2012. 31% of respondents consider the quality of accommodation as main factor for a decision to return to the same holiday destination. Most EU citizens were satisfied with the general level of prices (83%), which represents another key reason to go back to the same holiday destination.