(15 April 2013) – According to the latest figures provided by Eurostat, Spain was the top foreign destination of EU27 residents in 2011 (13% of all outbound trips), followed by Italy and France (both 9%).
The highest numbers of outbound holiday trips in 2011 were recorded by residents of Germany (73 million or 34% of holiday trips made by residents), the United Kingdom (44 mn or 38%), France (22 mn or 11%) and the Netherlands (16 mn or 52%). These four Member States accounted for almost two thirds of all outbound holiday trips made by EU27 residents.
In a majority of Member States, most holiday trips were made within the country of residence, while half or more than half of all trips made by residents of Luxembourg (nearly100% of all holiday trips), Belgium (74%), Slovenia (56%), the Netherlands (52%) and Austria (50%) were trips to a foreign country.
In all EU27 Member States, the top destination of outbound holiday trips made by residents in 2011 was a neighboring or nearby country, except for residents of Romania (Italy was the top destination of outbound trips), Sweden (Greece) and the United Kingdom (Spain).