Tourism in Europe hit a milestone in 2024, with an estimated total of 2.99 billion overnight stays in tourist accommodation establishments, surpassing the previous year by 53.4 million stays, a growth of 2%, according to preliminary estimates from Eurostat.
Growth Driven by International Guests
The increase in overnight stays was primarily driven by a significant rise in stays by international guests, which grew by 58.7 million, while stays by domestic guests saw a slight decline of 5.3 million. In 2024, overnight stays were fairly balanced between international (48%) and domestic (52%) visitors.
Accommodation Preferences
Hotels and similar accommodations remained the most popular choice, recording 1.9 billion overnight stays and accounting for 63% of the total. They were followed by holiday homes and other short-stay accommodations with 711 million (24%) and camping sites with 396 million (13%).
Widespread Growth Across the EU
Compared to 2023, most EU countries saw an increase in overnight stays. The highest growth rates were recorded in:
- Luxembourg: +22%
- Malta: +13%
- Latvia: +7%
Meanwhile, France and Belgium saw slight decreases (-1% each), and numbers remained stable in Sweden, Finland, and Italy.
More Details in the Full Report
These figures underline the resilience of the tourism sector in the EU, driven by a strong recovery in international travel. For a deeper analysis, refer to the full Statistics Explained article published by Eurostat.
Tourism continues to be a key driver of economic growth across Europe, adapting to evolving traveler preferences and showcasing its strength in 2024.
Source: : EUROSTAT