Europe recorded a marginal dip in tourism activity during the first quarter of 2025, driven more by Easter’s timing than by travel trends.
But within the broader picture, several countries showed clear signs of growth, especially among international visitors.
Tourism dips but remains strong
European Union (EU) countries reported a total of 452.4 million nights spent in tourist accommodations from January to March 2025.
That figure was down by just 0.2% compared with the same period in 2024, equal to about 1.1 million fewer nights.
This modest decline wasn’t due to a drop in travel demand but rather a calendar effect. In 2024, Easter holidays occurred in March, boosting tourism in Q1.
In 2025, Easter moved into April, shifting many school holidays and bookings into the second quarter, which the current analysis does not cover.
Spain, Poland, Malta lead surge
Despite the slight overall drop, some countries posted notable gains. Spain led with an increase of 3.5 million nights, followed by Poland with 1.7 million more nights than in Q1 2024.
Malta stood out in terms of growth rate, surging by 17.5%, the largest percentage jump in the bloc.
Other countries with strong year-over-year increases included:
- Latvia (+10.8%)
- Lithuania (+9.9%)
- Poland (+9.6%)
- Albania (+33.3%)
Conversely, Germany saw the sharpest drop, losing 3.5 million nights, followed by Austria (-1.4 million) and Ireland (-1.2 million).
Foreign visitors lift international tourism
International travelers accounted for 206.3 million nights, a 1.1% increase from Q1 2024. Domestic tourism, however, slipped by 1.3%, shedding 3.3 million nights.
Spain remained the EU’s top international destination, hosting 53.2 million foreign nights, or one in every four nights spent by foreign tourists in the EU. Italy (31.8 million) and Austria (29.6 million) followed.
Standout countries for international tourism growth included:
- Latvia: +18.5%
- Malta: +17.2%
- Finland: +10.6%
Still, domestic tourism remained the backbone, comprising over 246 million nights, with Germany and France contributing the most—57.4 million and 46.8 million respectively.
Hotel nights dominate market share
Hotels and similar accommodations made up the bulk of bookings in Q1 2025, accounting for 72.2% of all nights, despite a slight 0.3% decrease from 2024. Holiday homes and short-stay rentals, which made up nearly 25% of the market, also saw a 0.4% drop.
Campsites represented a tiny share (less than 3%) of Q1 stays. However, methodological changes in France disrupted year-over-year comparisons for this segment.
School holidays, carnival skew monthly trends
Timing matters in tourism, especially around holidays. In 2024, school breaks and Easter occurred earlier, boosting travel in February and March.
In 2025, those breaks largely shifted into April. The report notes a visible dip in February 2025 compared to the previous year, caused by this calendar displacement.
March followed with subdued growth, unable to offset the lag.
This distortion will likely balance out in Q2 reporting when the impact of April’s Easter holidays becomes visible.
Regional outliers show tourism momentum
Some of Europe’s smaller or less traditionally dominant tourist markets showed surprising strength. Albania led with a 33.3% jump in total nights, with international bookings growing 26.1% and domestic stays rising 52.4%.
Kosovo, while much smaller in total numbers, also logged a solid 4% increase, underscoring growing regional interest.
Meanwhile, North Macedonia and Montenegro reported more modest growth, with increases of 8.2% and -3.5%, respectively, suggesting a mixed performance in the Western Balkans.
Looking ahead to April and Q2 2025
With Easter falling in April this year, experts expect a rebound in Q2 numbers, especially in countries where tourism centers around school breaks and spring travel.
The Q1 report closes before this shift is reflected, giving an incomplete picture of seasonal performance.
The next data release in September 2025 is likely to provide a clearer view of trends, especially how countries performed once the holiday displacement smoothed out.
Tourism remains key to EU economy
Tourism continues to play a vital role in the EU economy. The industry contributes an estimated 4.5% to the EU’s gross value added, with six EU countries ranked among the world’s top 10 destinations.
The data underscores tourism’s resilience, even when calendar quirks affect reporting. As the EU continues to monitor travel patterns, regional trends, and emerging destinations, the demand for harmonized, real-time statistics remains high.
Travel pattern shifts as Europe prepares for new system
While calendar effects played a role in the slight fluctuations of international tourism nights, these trends hint at a growing interest ahead of the late-2026 launch of the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS).
Short-term visitors may benefit from streamlined travel once ETIAS is live, though requirements like advance applications and strict entry conditions could deter spontaneous trips.
For long-term visitors relying on repeated short stays under the 90/180 rule, ETIAS formalizes an additional layer of monitoring, potentially aligning with broader Schengen policy shifts.
Raising concerns for resident mobility
For migrants, especially those awaiting residency or citizenship, the drop in domestic tourism in the EU signals increased vulnerability.
These communities often rely on local travel for seasonal work or family reunification.
A tightening of movement due to economic pressures or stricter travel documentation (as seen with the upcoming ETIAS protocols) may further strain migrant integration and regional access, especially in countries where domestic tourism plays a role in informal labor networks.
A data-driven path toward unified entry oversight
The EU’s real-time tracking of tourism nights across 30 countries provides policymakers with granular insight into mobility flows.
Combined with ETIAS’ digital vetting of visa-exempt travelers, this surveillance-driven approach signals a pivot toward more controlled and data-integrated immigration governance.
Nations like Spain and Poland, currently absorbing the highest increases in tourism nights, may leverage this information to calibrate border security and labor needs, while countries experiencing declines could press for more flexible entry policies or increased EU-level support to balance visitor loads.
Despite dip, EU tourism remains strong
Despite a slight dip in total nights spent, driven largely by shifting holiday calendars, Europe’s tourism sector remains resilient, with Spain leading the pack and international travel showing steady growth.
As the calendar evens out in the coming quarters, the tourism outlook signals a promising rebound across the continent.