uThere was already a good recovery in the summer of 2022, but this year the enthusiasm to travel is even higher and, according to forecasts, it will reach, and probably even exceed, the levels of 2019.
After a pandemic, however, some traveler habits have changed And the new trends and the future intentions reveals them theHoliday Barometer Ipsos-Europ Assistance.
Wanderlust: never higher in Europe since 2011
According to the analysis, 78% of Europeans declare themselves enthusiastic or very happy to travel and 75% (the highest figure since 2011) intend to leave for a summer holiday. In Italy, the percentage is even higher, 83%, 8 people out of 10.
The propensity to book in advance is growing: 34% of those interviewed said they had already booked their holiday, 58% had done so or did so at least 2 months in advance and 31% had booked earlier than in the past.
This year the enthusiasm for traveling is even greater and, according to forecasts, will reach and probably exceed the levels of 2019 (Getty Images)
Inflation doesn’t curb the wanderlust
Inflation and rising prices worry Italians, but they don’t quench their desire to leave. And, in fact, growsalbeit slightly, ithe average budget allocated to holidays reaching around 1,800 euros.
53% of the sample plans to increase it, even if Italians are confirmed among the most attentive to savings in Europe in the choice of destinations closer to home, accommodation, means of transport and in the search for last minute offers.
Concerns related to Covid have drastically decreased, -19% compared to 2022, which has not left significant effects on the travel habits of Italians.
More and more trips abroad
Continues the strong recovery of travel abroadalready observed in 2022. According to the Ipsos-Europ Assistance Holiday Barometer, the number of those planning a trip to a foreign country is increasing, 44%, especially among the youngest: they are 73% in the 18- 24 years.
They decreaseInstead, car travel, -8%, and those by plane are increasing, +5%, to reach the furthest destinations. Despite this, Italians, together with the French and Spanish, are among the most likely to remain within national borders, 59%.
The favorite destination abroad for Italians is Spain indicated by 15% of the sample, followed by France and Greece, 9%. Favorite destinations in Europe are confirmed: Italy, France and Spain.
When choosing destinations, Italians still prefer seaside resorts, 63%, but interest in cities of art is growing, 26%. Hotels remain the main choice of stay, 46%, and Bed&Breakfasts growpreferred by 31% of respondents.
Summer 2023 between relaxation, workation and sustainable tourism
For the majority of Italians, vacation means relaxation, with family or friends. The number of those traveling to discover new cultures is growing, 28%, or to expand their friendships, 12%. There is also an increase in people who claim to travel alone.
Strongly growing, above the European average, the phenomenon of workwith 38% of Italians especially between the ages of 18 and 34, who consider the possibility of working from a holiday destination, to lengthen or bring forward the time spent in the holiday destination.
In the end, Italians are among the most inclined in Europe to adopt forms of sustainable tourism to protect the environment and support local communities.
However, the research shows, in general in Europe, a gap between actions and intentions: in the face of a declared greater attention to the environment, the use of airplanes increases and only 9% of Europeans declare that they take account of environmental impact in the choice of means of transport.
Post pandemic, Italians are increasingly attentive
According to the report, Italians are among the most attentive in Europe to the unexpected that can happen while travelling: 79% are worried about having a bad experience, 75% express fears related to their health and 63% about travel arrangements.
The research also reveals an increase in the propensity to take out insurance and the most requested guarantees concern medical expenses (71%) and trip cancellation (63%).
iO Woman © REPRODUCTION RESERVED