The latest Long-Haul Travel Barometer reveals that sentiment for long-haul travel to Europe in 2025, particularly among American tourists, is declining due to increasing travel expenses.

The Long-Haul Travel Barometer (LHTB) 1/2025, published by the European Travel Commission (ETC) and Eurail BV, indicates a drop in long-haul travel sentiment to Europe for 2025, particularly among American travelers.

Respondents from key overseas markets, including Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Japan, South Korea, and the United States, intend to embark on long-haul travel this year. Specifically, 44% plan to visit Europe, a decline from 49% in 2024. This downtrend is most noticeable in the United States, South Korea, Brazil, and Australia. Chinese travelers, however, exhibit increased interest, with 61% intending to visit Europe in 2025.

The most significant obstacle to international travel is affordability, cited by 46% of respondents not planning a European trip. Other factors influencing their plans include interest in visiting other overseas regions and limited vacation time.

Safety is the foremost determinant of destination choice, followed by iconic landmarks and well-developed infrastructure. The report investigates travelers' perceptions of safety for the first time, revealing that low crime rates, clean and well-maintained tourist establishments, visible security, political stability, and friendly locals are the top factors contributing to a destination's perceived safety.

Despite the challenges of affordability, multi-destination travel is gaining popularity. Notably, 94% of respondents planning to visit Europe in early 2025 aim to explore more than one country. On average, long-haul travelers intend to visit 3.4 countries, with South Koreans leading the trend by planning to visit an average of 5.2 countries per trip.

The report also reveals shifts in spending habits. In the initial four months of 2025, 42% of respondents plan to allocate between €100 and €200 per day, a 14% increase compared to last year. At the same time, the percentage of travelers planning to spend over €200 per day has decreased to 30%, reflecting a 13% decline. Food and drinks have emerged as the top spending category for most travelers, although market preferences vary.

While Europe remains a strong travel destination, affordability remains a key barrier, leading to a decline in travel sentiment, especially among American tourists.

Discover more at the European Travel Commission.

by European Travel Commission | HNR Hotel News