Brussels, 06/03/2013 (Agence Europe) - The tourism sector is one of the very few economic sectors to have recorded growth and created jobs in 2012 despite the crisis, according to the latest Eurobarometer survey published by the European Commission on 6 March. Seven out of 10 Europeans travelled in 2012, as was the case in 2011, and 88% of them went on holiday in a country of the European Union. This performance is set to continue in 2013. “With 75% of Europeans planning to go on vacation in 2013 the outlook of the sector's contribution to the economy is very promising. This is good news, as this important sector with its many small enterprises can send a strong signal to other industry sectors that we can get out of the economic crisis”, said the Commissioner for Industry and Entrepreneurship, Antonio Tajani.
The Eurobarometer survey looks at Europeans' behaviour in terms of travel and tourism (33 European countries were included in the survey). It explores travellers' motivation, the types of travel they prefer, their satisfaction and their travel plans. Here are the main tendencies revealed by the survey:
1) 71% of Europeans travelled in 2012 for professional or leisure reasons. A similar figure was recorded in 2011. The typical traveller is a man or woman aged between 15 and 39 years, or with a high level of qualifications, or living in a city;
2) Europeans who did not travel in 2012 cited financial reasons (46%). This was most often the case in people aged 55 or above, manual workers, the unemployed and people living alone;
3) 88% of the Europeans who travelled for leisure reasons remained in Europe;
4) holidays to the sun and the sea are still the most popular, with 40% of people opting for these, ahead of visiting family or friends (36%);
5) Spain was the most popular destination: 10% of European travellers chose this country for the holidays, ahead of Italy and France (8%), Austria, Germany, Greece and the United Kingdom (4%) and Croatia (3%);
6) most of the respondents said that they had holidayed in their own country (56%). This was particularly the case with the Greeks (87%), Italians (80%), Bulgarians (79%), Spanish (73%) and Croatians (74%);
7) stays in hotels or similar establishments, or with friends or family members, increased in popularity compared to 2011;
8) 92% of travellers said that they were satisfied with the quality of their accommodation. 31% also said that they considered the quality of their accommodation to be the main reason to return to the same holiday location;
9) most of the respondents stated that they were satisfied with price levels in general, which represents another major factor in returning to the same holiday location;
10) 75% of travellers said that they were planning holidays in 2013, mainly the Norwegians (92%), Austrians (91%), Germans and Icelanders (90%). (IL/transl.fl)