Greece consistently ranks among the top five destinations chosen by Europeans for travel within the Old Continent, despite an environment of economic uncertainty and geopolitical instability.
According to the latest MINDHAUS survey conducted on behalf of the European Travel Commission (ETC), Europeans’ willingness to travel remains strong, with 81% of respondents stating that they are likely or very likely to take a trip within the next 6 months.
This figure represents a 4-percentage-point increase compared to last year’s survey, as 77% of participants had answered affirmatively to the same question at that time. Only 10% say it is unlikely they will travel, while 9% remain undecided.
In fact, 64% of Europeans who plan to travel intend to do so within Europe by fall, 26% plan to travel to a destination within their own country, 9% to a destination outside Europe, and 1% remain undecided.
In any case, however, Southern Europe—including the Mediterranean countries and, of course, Greece—tops the list of travelers’ preferences, accounting for a 61% share, a figure up by 4 percentage points compared to 2025 and by 11 percentage points compared to 2024.
Conversely, interest is declining for Western Europe to 16% from 17% last year and for Eastern Europe to 4% from 5% in 2025. Central Europe remains steady at a 5% share, while Northern Europe gained two percentage points, reaching 14%.
Destination Characteristics
As for destinations, 52% are looking for a less popular or remote destination, with major tourist destinations accounting for 48% of travelers’ preferences, a three-percentage-point increase compared to the 2025 survey.
As for the time of year Europeans expect to travel, 42% plan their first trip during the two-month period of June–July. This percentage is up by 3.2 points compared to last year.
Forty-five percent will travel in August or September—a decrease of 2 percentage points year-over-year—and 10% plan to travel during the two-month period from October - November, representing a drop of one percentage point.
As for the purpose of these trips, 76% plan to travel for leisure, 13% to visit friends and relatives, 4% for business, and 6% to attend a concert or other event.
The traditional “sun and sea” model, however, accounts for 30% of respondents’ preferences, with city breaks and cultural tourism each accounting for a 14% share.
Of particular interest is the finding that half of Europeans are expected to travel two or more times over the next six months, which points to a “strong” tourist season.
Duration and Budget
And while inflationary pressures may be weighing on households in Europe, when it comes to the duration of vacations, 40% say they will travel for 7–12 days—the most popular response—with trips of 4–6 nights following at 36%.
In fact, regarding expenses, 29% plan to spend 1,501–2,500 euros per person, 22% have a budget of 1,001–1,500 euros, and 24% have a budget of 501–1,000 euros. Finally, only 13% estimate that they will spend more than 2,500 euros.
In this context, a particularly significant finding is that air travel remains the most popular mode of transportation for getaways, despite rising fuel prices resulting from the geopolitical crisis, which has led to higher airfares.
More specifically, 53% will choose to fly, 30% will drive, and 11% will take the train. The percentage of those who will travel by bus or ferry is very small, at 3% and 2%, respectively.
Climate Change and Cost Shape Travel Choices
The climate crisis is now a factor in travel decisions, as Europeans seek milder temperatures and shift their vacations to off-peak periods. According to the survey data, the search for destinations with a milder climate is one of the key trends on the rise, while many travelers say they avoid areas with extreme heat.
In line with this trend, an increasing number of visitors are checking weather forecasts before making a reservation in order to minimize the risk of unpleasant experiences due to extreme conditions.
Choosing travel periods outside the traditional peak months is also an adaptation strategy, as travelers seek milder temperatures and greater comfort without the crowds.
The key criteria for choosing a destination remain safety (20%), pleasant and stable weather conditions (15%), and overall cost (24%).
According to the survey, the biggest concern among European travelers is the increase in the total cost of travel due to inflation, cited by 22% of respondents. This is followed by the economic situation and personal finances (17%). In third place is the potential impact of tensions in the Middle East on travel safety (14%), while the war between Russia and Ukraine is a concern for 11% of respondents.
In addition, strikes and staff shortages in transportation concern 10%, overtourism 9%, extreme weather events 7%, booking policies 5%, and the environmental footprint of travel 4%.