Europeans took more outbound international trips as compared to the last year. However, the annualized pace of growth for international travel was lower as per the World Travel Monitor survey. The survey was conducted by IPK International and commissioned by ITB Berlin, the trade show.
European outbound trips rose by 5 per cent in first eight months in 2018. However, it is less than the growth rate of last year – 7 per cent.
Trips to Asia grew by 8 per cent. The international trips to U.S. and Canada recorded a growth of 4 per cent.
The survey takers predict 5 per cent international outbound tourism growth in Europe and 6 per cent worldwide in 2019. The biggest gainers in Europe was Turkey.
Since 2007, Europeans have tripled the number of international city trips they have taken. The role of low-cost airlines played a critical role.
The survey showed that the outbound travel sales were softer. Several reasons attributed are World Cup, unusual warmer weather in many Northern European countries or oil price rise.
The survey results combine reports from major online travel companies, such as Booking.com, Amadeus, and Travelport, and from major suppliers, such as Lufthansa Group and International Airlines Group.
