In a significant rebound for the European tourism sector, the number of nights spent in EU tourist accommodations surged by 6.1% in 2023 compared to the previous year, reaching a remarkable total of 2.9 billion nights. This promising data, released by Eurostat, underscores a notable recovery from the pandemic-induced slump and even surpasses the pre-pandemic levels of 2019 by 1.4%. Eurostat’s monthly data on tourist accommodations up to December 2023 highlights several key findings, shedding light on the resurgence of tourism across the European Union. Among the 25 EU countries with available data, 24 witnessed a surge in nights spent, indicating a widespread revival of the tourism sector. Particularly noteworthy were the standout performances of Malta and Cyprus, which experienced a remarkable 20% increase in nights spent compared to 2022. Slovakia closely followed with a notable 16% increase.
The growth in international tourism was particularly striking in Slovakia and Czechia, with both countries recording a staggering 29% increase in nights spent by international guests in 2023 compared to the previous year. The Netherlands and Romania also witnessed substantial growth, each boasting a 23% increase. Conversely, Luxembourg saw a stabilization in the number of nights spent by international guests, while Croatia registered a modest 2% growth.
Domestic tourism also played a pivotal role in the sector’s resurgence, with Greece leading the charge with a notable 13% increase in nights spent compared to 2022. Slovakia and Bulgaria followed closely with 11% and 9% increases, respectively. However, some countries experienced declines in domestic tourism, with Slovenia, Hungary, and Luxembourg witnessing drops of 17%, 5%, and 4%, respectively. Despite intermittent declines in specific months, the overall trend for 2023 indicated a robust increase in total nights spent, with only March, June, July, and November seeing marginal declines compared to 2019. This resurgence paints a promising picture for the European tourism sector, with the number of nights spent approaching the coveted milestone of 3 billion annual nights.
The data underscores the resilience of the European tourism industry and its remarkable ability to rebound from the challenges posed by the pandemic. As countries continue to navigate the uncertainties of the global landscape, the resurgence of tourism in the EU provides a beacon of hope for recovery and revitalization in the post-pandemic era.
