France and Different Nations See Travel Surge as 76% of Europeans Plan Winter Trips

France and different destinations across Europe are attracting strong interest as travellers prepare for autumn and winter holidays, creating fresh opportunities for international tourism, airlines, hotels and regional transport networks. European travel intentions remain strong, with demand extending beyond traditional tourist centres towards cultural attractions, coastal escapes and lesser-known locations. Spain, Italy, Germany and the United Kingdom also feature prominently in travel preferences. The European Travel Commission’s research indicates that more Europeans are considering winter trips and shorter holidays. This growing interest could benefit cross-border connectivity, accommodation businesses and local economies, although planned journeys do not necessarily translate into actual visitor growth.

European Winter Travel Trends Highlight Strong Demand Across Major Tourism Markets

European winter tourism is entering the 2026–2027 season with a strong base of consumer interest. The European Travel Commission’s latest monitoring report, published in November 2026, finds that 76% of surveyed Europeans intend to take an overnight trip between October 2026 and March 2027. This represents a three-percentage-point increase compared with the previous year’s survey. France, Spain, Italy, Germany and the United Kingdom are among the leading destinations attracting interest. However, these findings describe travel intentions, rather than completed journeys. The distinction matters for airlines, tourism businesses and destinations planning services around expected seasonal demand.

• 76% intend to take an overnight trip during the six-month travel period.
• Poland records the highest travel intention among the surveyed countries.
• Southern Europe remains the most attractive regional destination.
• City breaks and cultural heritage holidays are important motivations.
• Financial pressures and safety considerations remain important when choosing destinations.

Where Europeans Want to Travel During Autumn and Winter 2026–2027

The destination preferences of European travellers show how neighbouring countries and established tourism markets remain closely connected. France attracts particularly strong interest from Belgium, Spain, Italy and Switzerland. Spain leads preferences among British and Dutch respondents, while Italy performs strongly among French and Polish travellers. Austria is the leading foreign destination for German respondents. These patterns highlight the importance of European cross-border travel, but they do not independently establish why travellers choose particular countries. Transport convenience, holiday prices, seasonal attractions and available accommodation may all influence final decisions.

• France leads the foreign destination preferences of Belgian, Italian and Spanish respondents.
• Spain is the first choice among British and Dutch respondents.
• Italy ranks first among French and Polish respondents.
• Germany leads among Austrian respondents.
• Austria ranks first among German respondents.

France Strengthens Its Appeal Among Belgian, Italian, Spanish and Swiss Travellers

France occupies a prominent position in European winter travel preferences. It ranks first among respondents in Belgium, Italy and Spain, while sharing the leading position with Italy among Swiss travellers. The findings suggest that France remains attractive across several neighbouring markets. Its range of cultural destinations, regional towns, coastal attractions and urban experiences gives travellers different options throughout the year. Official Eurostat figures also identify France among the countries contributing to growth in EU accommodation nights during the second quarter of 2026.

• 20% of Belgian respondents select France.
• 17% of Spanish respondents prefer France.
• 14% of Italian respondents choose France.
• 14% of Swiss respondents identify France.
• France also attracts 11% of British respondents.

Spain Attracts British and Dutch Holidaymakers Seeking European Getaways

Spain remains one of Europe’s strongest international holiday destinations. It ranks first among both British and Dutch respondents and appears among the five preferred foreign destinations for every surveyed source market. This broad geographic appeal gives Spain a strong position in the autumn and winter tourism landscape. Cultural cities, Mediterranean coastal destinations and the Canary Islands offer different seasonal experiences. Eurostat recorded approximately 141.9 million tourist accommodation nights in Spain during the second quarter of 2026, showing the scale of its established tourism sector. For airlines and travel organisers, the reported destination preferences offer a signal of potential demand rather than confirmed increases in passenger numbers.

• Spain leads British destination preferences at 12%.
• Dutch respondents show a stronger preference at 16%.
• Spain attracts 12% of Italian respondents.
• French respondents place Spain second at 11%.
• Spain ranks among the top five foreign destinations across all ten surveyed markets.

Italy Emerges as a Leading Choice for French and Polish Winter Travellers

Italy maintains a powerful position in Europe’s international tourism market, particularly among travellers interested in culture, heritage and urban holidays. It ranks first among French and Polish respondents and holds a joint leading position among Swiss respondents. Its appeal spans historic cities, cultural attractions, mountain regions and coastal destinations. Rome, Florence, Venice and Milan offer different travel experiences, while the Italian Alps support winter tourism. Eurostat recorded approximately 148 million accommodation nights in Italy during the second quarter of 2026. This established tourism activity, combined with positive winter travel intentions, points towards continuing opportunities for hotels, cultural attractions and transport operators.

• Italy is the first choice for French respondents at 15%.
• Polish respondents place Italy first at 13%.
• Switzerland records a 14% preference for Italy.
• Austria records a 14% preference.
• Spain records a 13% preference.

Germany Maintains Strong Cross-Border Appeal for Austria and the Netherlands

Germany continues to occupy an important position in European tourism because of its cities, cultural heritage and transport connections. It is the preferred foreign destination for Austrian respondents and the second choice among Dutch travellers. Berlin, Munich, Hamburg and other German cities offer urban tourism opportunities, while seasonal markets and regional attractions contribute to the country’s winter holiday appeal. Germany also serves as a significant source market for other European destinations. The ETC survey places German travel intention at 79%, showing strong interest in future journeys. Nevertheless, the survey does not demonstrate that these intentions have already produced additional airline bookings, rail passengers or hotel arrivals.

• Germany leads Austrian preferences at 16%.
• The Netherlands records a 14% preference.
• Switzerland records a 12% preference.
• Poland records a 9% preference.
• Spain records an 8% preference.

United Kingdom Draws Interest from Spain, Italy and France During the Winter Season

The United Kingdom continues to attract travellers from important European source markets. It ranks third among Spanish and Italian respondents and fifth among French respondents. London remains an established destination for international city breaks, while Edinburgh, Manchester, Bath and other locations offer additional cultural and leisure experiences. Museums, historic buildings, theatre and shopping provide opportunities for year-round tourism. For airlines operating between the UK and continental Europe, the survey reveals potential demand across several country pairs. However, actual passenger growth will depend on fares, transport capacity, travel requirements and the conversion of holiday intentions into bookings.

• 10% of Spanish respondents select the UK.
• 7% of Italian respondents favour the UK.
• 6% of French respondents select the UK.
• The UK remains an important European travel source market.
• Spain, France and Italy are the leading foreign preferences among British respondents.

Netherlands Combines Strong Outbound Travel Intentions with Regional Tourism Opportunities

The Netherlands plays two important roles in European tourism. It is a major source market for international holidays and a destination attracting visitors from neighbouring countries. Dutch travel intention reaches 79% in the ETC findings, while Spain is the leading foreign destination among Dutch respondents. Germany follows closely, indicating continuing interest in nearby European markets. Amsterdam and other Dutch cities offer cultural attractions and short-break opportunities throughout the year. Regional tourism also provides alternatives to established urban centres. The survey suggests that outbound travel will remain important, but does not establish future visitor growth within the Netherlands itself.

• 16% of Dutch respondents prefer Spain.
• Germany follows at 14%.
• France and Belgium each attract 9%.
• Italy receives 7%.
• The Netherlands is also a preferred destination for 8% of Belgian respondents.

Belgium Retains Strong Tourism Links with France, Spain and Neighbouring Markets

Belgian travellers show a clear preference for France, followed by Spain and the Netherlands. This distribution illustrates the importance of both nearby destinations and established leisure markets. France’s leading position suggests substantial interest in cross-border holidays, while Spain remains a prominent choice for travellers considering destinations farther from home. Belgium also attracts interest from Dutch respondents, highlighting two-way tourism potential. Brussels, Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp provide cultural and urban travel opportunities. The combination of short-break preferences and neighbouring tourism markets is relevant for rail services, airlines, accommodation providers and city attractions. However, survey intentions cannot be used as evidence of actual increases in visitor arrivals.

• France dominates Belgian foreign destination preferences at 20%.
• Spain ranks second at 11%.
• The Netherlands and Italy each receive 8%.
• Germany ranks fifth at 6%.
• Belgium attracts 9% of Dutch respondents.

Switzerland Keeps France and Italy at the Centre of Cross-Border Holiday Planning

Swiss travellers show a balanced preference for neighbouring European tourism markets. France and Italy share first place, followed by Germany. Austria and Spain also appear among the leading foreign destinations. This pattern highlights the relevance of both nearby countries and traditional holiday destinations. Switzerland itself offers alpine scenery, mountain resorts, lakes and cultural cities, making it relevant to seasonal tourism. However, its domestic attractions should not be confused with the outbound preferences reported in the survey. The findings primarily demonstrate where Swiss respondents intend to travel. For tourism businesses across neighbouring countries, these preferences can inform marketing and transport planning without establishing confirmed future visitor volumes.

• France and Italy share the lead at 14% each.
• Germany follows at 12%.
• Austria attracts 7%.
• Spain also attracts 7%.
• Switzerland is among the countries associated with interest in less conventional European destinations.

Poland Records Europe’s Strongest Travel Intention as Italy Leads Holiday Preferences

Poland stands out because its respondents record the highest overall intention to travel among the ten surveyed countries. The ETC places this figure at 87%, reflecting particularly strong interest in future holidays. Italy is the leading foreign destination among Polish respondents, followed by Germany, Spain, Czechia and Austria. This distribution covers southern European leisure destinations and neighbouring markets. Poland’s cultural cities and regional attractions also make it relevant to inbound tourism, although the outbound survey does not measure incoming visitor numbers. For international airlines, travel agents and destination marketers, the findings identify Poland as a potentially important market for autumn and winter holiday demand.

• Poland has the highest overall travel intention at 87%.
• Italy leads outbound destination preferences at 13%.
• Germany ranks second at 9%.
• Spain follows at 8%.
• Czechia and Austria attract 7% and 4%, respectively.

Austria Connects Alpine Winter Tourism with Strong German and Italian Travel Demand

Austria remains significant to European tourism both as a destination and as a source of outbound travellers. German respondents place Austria first among foreign destinations, while Austrian respondents favour Germany, Italy and Spain. This relationship indicates strong interest between neighbouring tourism markets. Austria’s alpine resorts, cultural cities and seasonal attractions provide different options for winter visitors. Vienna and Salzburg support urban and cultural tourism, while mountain regions attract travellers seeking winter recreation. The ETC findings show potential demand for travel involving Austria, but do not quantify ski bookings, airline ticket sales or additional hotel arrivals for the upcoming season.

• Germany leads Austrian outbound preferences at 16%.
• Italy ranks second at 14%.
• Spain follows at 9%.
• Croatia attracts 6%.
• Greece attracts 4%, while Austria is the preferred foreign destination for 11% of German respondents.

European Airline Travel and Rail Connectivity Could Benefit from Winter Holiday Demand

Strong interest in international holidays creates opportunities for European airlines, rail operators and other transport businesses. The preference for visiting one destination may support point-to-point journeys, while interest in several trips within a single season could generate repeat bookings. France–Spain, Germany–Austria, Britain–Spain and France–Italy are among the relevant international travel markets highlighted by the survey. Nevertheless, destination preferences are not equivalent to scheduled airline capacity or passenger demand. Airlines must assess actual bookings, costs and operating conditions before changing routes. Travellers should also distinguish convenient direct journeys from connections requiring additional travel time.

• Repeated holiday intentions could create opportunities for additional transport bookings.
• Single-destination trips remain the preferred travel format.
• Neighbouring European markets remain important for international tourism.
• Advance travel arrangements indicate interest in securing accommodation and transport earlier.
• The ETC figures do not confirm new airline routes, cheaper tickets or additional flight frequencies.

European Cultural Tourism and Winter City Breaks Create Opportunities Beyond Summer

Winter holiday preferences are not limited to snow sports or beach resorts. The ETC identifies city breaks, cultural heritage and sun-and-beach holidays as leading travel motivations. This gives European cities, museums, historic sites and local attractions opportunities to attract visitors outside traditional summer travel periods. Nature and gastronomy also feature among the experiences travellers want to enjoy. Interest in these activities may encourage spending beyond accommodation and transport. Meanwhile, the rise in travel intentions for February and March could help destinations promote seasonal experiences during quieter months. These changes suggest opportunities for tourism businesses, although actual visitor spending remains uncertain.

• City breaks account for 19% of holiday-type preferences.
• Cultural heritage trips represent 18%.
• Sun-and-beach holidays also account for 18%.
• Southern Europe attracts 53% of regional destination interest.
• Western Europe attracts 23%, with interest increasing year on year.

Rising European Accommodation Demand Highlights Opportunities for Hotels and Short-Term Rentals

European accommodation data provide an important factual backdrop to the winter travel outlook. According to Eurostat, tourist accommodation establishments across the European Union registered approximately 1.321 billion overnight stays during the first six months of 2026. International visitors accounted for nearly half of those nights, while their accommodation demand grew faster than domestic demand. Separately, short-term rentals booked through major online platforms recorded 258.8 million guest nights during the second quarter of 2026, increasing by 5.3% year on year. These official figures demonstrate recent market activity but cannot establish accommodation demand for the forthcoming winter season.

• EU tourist accommodation nights increased in the first half of 2026.
• International guest nights grew faster than domestic guest nights.
• Online short-term rental accommodation recorded year-on-year growth.
• Spain, France and Italy featured prominently among leading short-term rental regions.
• Winter survey intentions provide a forward-looking indicator, not an accommodation forecast.

Travel Costs and Safety Remain Central to European Winter Holiday Decisions

Despite strong holiday interest, many Europeans remain sensitive to the cost and reliability of travel. Financial concerns are the leading source of uncertainty in the ETC survey, followed by geopolitical instability. Safety, seasonal weather and attractive prices influence destination selection. These factors may affect whether intended journeys become confirmed bookings. They also matter to airlines, hotels and travel organisers that depend on advance reservations. Cost-conscious travellers may compare destinations, accommodation categories and transport options before committing. For tourism businesses, transparent information and clear booking conditions are especially relevant when customers face uncertainty about household finances or international developments.

• Financial pressure concerns 37% of respondents.
• Geopolitical instability concerns 23%.
• Safety is the leading destination-selection criterion, at 20%.
• Pleasant and stable weather matters to 15%.
• Attractive deals influence 14% of destination choices.

Digital Booking and AI Travel Planning Shape How Europeans Discover Their Next Holiday

Digital services are becoming increasingly relevant to European holiday planning. The ETC reports that 40% of intending travellers use artificial intelligence tools during travel inspiration, planning or booking. The proportion is higher among younger adults, illustrating changing approaches to researching destinations and comparing holiday options. Traditional online search engines and travel websites remain widely used. This creates opportunities for airlines, hotels and tourism boards to provide clear digital information about transport, accommodation and visitor experiences. However, the growing use of AI does not mean that travellers rely exclusively on automated recommendations or complete their purchases through these tools.

• 40% of intending travellers use AI during some stage of travel planning.
• The figure reaches 56% among travellers aged 18–34.
• Online search engines remain widely used.
• Travel websites are another major source of information.
• Accurate prices, availability and booking conditions remain important for informed decisions.

What Rising Winter Travel Intentions Mean for European Tourism and Global Connectivity

Europe’s winter travel outlook carries implications beyond individual holiday destinations. Greater interest in international trips could support aviation, rail transport, accommodation, cultural attractions and local tourism services. Multiple holidays may generate demand throughout the season rather than concentrating all travel around Christmas. Interest in lesser-known destinations could also spread economic activity across regional communities. However, stronger intentions do not automatically produce a tourism surge. Final results will depend on confirmed bookings, transport availability, household budgets and destination conditions. For international tourism businesses, the survey is best understood as a demand indicator that can inform planning rather than a guarantee of future growth.

• Established European destinations may retain strong international interest.
• Regional destinations could benefit from travellers seeking less crowded experiences.
• Airlines and railway operators may see opportunities on popular travel corridors.
• Hotels and other accommodation providers can use seasonal preferences to inform planning.
• Financial conditions and destination safety may determine how much intended demand materialises.

Conclusion

France and different destinations across Europe are well positioned to attract travellers seeking cultural experiences, convenient international connections and memorable seasonal holidays. The strong interest in winter trips reflects the continuing importance of leisure travel, even as household budgets and safety concerns influence decisions. Spain, Italy, Germany and the United Kingdom remain prominent within the European tourism landscape, while smaller destinations may gain opportunities through changing visitor preferences. For airlines, accommodation providers and local businesses, these developments offer potential for future growth. Nevertheless, the reported tourism surge should be assessed through actual bookings and arrivals rather than travel intentions alone.

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