Travellers from Brazil, Australia, and Canada are changing their travel plans, avoiding Europe due to high costs, and seeking more budget-friendly destinations, according to the latest Long-Haul Barometer 3/2023 by the European Travel Commission (ETC).
The Long-Haul Travel Barometer evaluates the travel plans of long-distance travellers through 1,000 online interviews in six significant markets, comprising Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Japan, and the United States.
When it comes to travelling to Europe, the survey revealed that the highest percentage of travellers opting not to go due to high costs came from Brazil, with 45 per cent. Australia followed closely at 40 per cent, and Canada was just one percentage point behind Australia, with 39 per cent.
The survey revealed that 12 per cent of Canadians are interested in exploring different regions. Additionally, ten per cent face time constraints for vacation and the same percentage intend to take short-haul trips.
Among Brazilians surveyed, 13 per cent are planning short-haul journeys, while 11 per cent express interest in exploring other regions.
In the case of Australians, 16 per cent expressed a desire to explore other regions, and nine per cent reported having previous travel experience in Europe.
According to Statista, various interconnected factors have driven up prices in Europe. After the COVID-19 pandemic, prices started to climb, and the surge was further intensified by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
In June 2023, the inflation rate in the European Union stood at 6.4 per cent, which is lower than the highest recorded inflation rate in October 2022, which was 11.5 per cent.
Eastern European countries offer significantly more budget-friendly travel options compared to their Western and Northern European counterparts. Among the most economical destinations are Albania, Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Montenegro, and Hungary.
Additionally, Greece and Croatia, while popular tourist spots, still offer more affordable experiences compared to Western European nations.
On the other end of the spectrum, some of the priciest countries in Europe include France, England, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Switzerland, and Germany.
Europe’s Average Stands at Nearly €80 Per Night
Diverse pricing structures are observed in hostels across European cities, with more costly destinations setting their rates at approximately €30 per night, while budget-friendly locales offer prices as low as €10.
In terms of hotel accommodations, Europe’s average stands at €79.60 per night. However, considerable disparities exist among different countries.
Switzerland ranks as the most expensive for hotel stays, with an average nightly rate of €145.48, closely followed by Norway at €116.13, Iceland at €114.65, and Denmark at €112.57.
In addition, restaurant meals in Western Europe can range from € 20 to €40, whereas Eastern Europe offers more affordable options, often at €15 or less per meal. Street food and takeaway choices are available at approximately €10.
