Greece a Top 5 Choice for 2020 H2 Intra-European Travel

Greece ranks fourth among the Top 5 destination choices for Europeans seeking to travel in the next six months, according to a European Travel Commission (ETC) study released this week.

More specifically, according to findings of the “Monitoring Sentiment for Domestic and Intra-European Travel – Wave 1” report – Greece is among the Top 5 destinations of choice for intra-Europe travel in the next half of the year.

In first place Spain with 7.8 percent, followed by France (7.3 percent), Italy (7.3 percent), Greece (6.2 percent) and Germany (6 percent).

Despite the coronavirus pandemic, Europeans are still optimistic about travel with 54 percent of those polled indicating that they intend to take a trip in the next six months and 26 percent that they plan to do so by as early as November 2020.

Source: ETC

The main concerns among potential travelers are quarantine measures during a trip (15 percent), rising numbers of Covid-19 cases (12 percent), the possibility of falling ill while on holiday (11 percent), and changing/unpredictable travel restrictions (10 percent).

Travel in Europe is a top choice with 41 percent planning to go on a trip domestically and 39 percent to other European destinations.

Sun & beach holidays are in the lead with 25 percent, followed by city breaks (19 percent) and nature/outdoors trips (16 percent).

Source: ETC

At the same time, however, Europeans are placing priority on health and safety (21 percent), peace of mind and relaxation (14 percent), and affordability (13 percent).

With regard to safety, 20 percent of those polled in the ETC study consider air travel to be the least safe part of a travel journey.

Source: ETC

In terms of factors affecting decision-making, flexible cancelation policies (11 percent), social distancing in flights and transport (9 percent), and fully lifted travel restrictions (9 percent) were the top concerns for short-term travel.

“The report clearly indicates that Europeans’ appetite for travel is robust, but it is also being held back by understandable health worries and a discouraging array of Covid-related rules and restrictions,” said ETC Executive Director Eduardo Santander.

“A harmonized approach and streamlining travel rules at a European level is the only solution for restoring consumer confidence and kick-starting travel recovery.”