Brussels, 12/05/2011 (Agence Europe) - On 12 May, on the occasion of the European conference on tourism (12-13 May) in Budapest, the European Commission published the new edition of the annual Eurobarometer survey on Europeans' tourist behaviour. Survey findings show that an increasing number of Europeans have left or plan to leave on holiday this year (96% compared to 80% in 2010) and, generally speaking, the sector is beginning to come out of crisis. The survey also confirms that the preferred holiday destinations remain the traditional European destinations (58%), with 28% wishing to discover the hidden treasures of Europe. “These positive results highlight the fact that, generally, the tourism industry is on its way to recovery and becoming a growth industry once again”, European Commissioner Antonio Tajani, responsible for industry and entrepreneurship, was pleased to state.
The most striking characteristics of the Eurobarometer survey are: 1) Traditional tourist destinations remain the top choice for the summer holidays 2011. Italy is the most frequently mentioned holiday destination for 2011 (11.5% compared to 9.2% in 2010). Spain comes next with 8.6% (10.4% in 2010), then France (8.2% compared to 9.9% in 2010). Respondents not yet decided where to go in 2011 make up 23%. 2) Growing and continuing trend towards discovering Europe and the home country: 61% of Europeans intend to spend their vacation in their home countries or in another European country in 2011, compared to 50% in 2010. 3) Increasing appetite for travel: 7 Europeans out of 10 (i.e. 68%) travelled for leisure in 2010. They were mainly Finns (89%), Danes (87%), Dutch (87%), Luxembourg nationals (85%) and Norwegians (84%). 4) Mostly, “local attractiveness” matters: 32% of Europeans give this reason for their choice, after that of cultural heritage (27% compared to 25% in 2010) and entertainment possibilities (14%). 5) Seeking rest and recreation: the main reason for the choice of holiday destination of over one third of respondents is “rest and recreation”, followed by “sun and beach” and visits to family and friends. 6) Personal planning of holidays. Over half of Europeans organised their holidays themselves in 2010 (57%), mainly Turkish tourists (80%), Icelandic (79%) and Croatian (78%).
The Eurobarometer survey was carried out among 30,000 European citizens in February 2011 in the 27 EU member states plus Norway, Iceland, Croatia, Turkey and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. This was the fourth annual survey by the Commission on this subject. The Commission plans to conduct this kind of survey each year in order to closely follow the development of tourist practice in Europe to allow its policy in this respect to react to changes in demand.
The central theme of the Budapest conference, which is along the lines of the communication on tourism from the European Commission drawing up a new framework for tourism in Europe, is on sustainable and responsible tourism to contribute to improving the quality of life. Items on the agenda of the participants include: the new kinds of tourist offers focused on health and wellbeing, examples of best practice in member states, more responsible and ethical practice on the part of the tourism industry, and the need to ensure that tourists learn rules of behaviour that are more respectful of the environment and the inhabitants therein. (I.L./transl.jl)