MADRID 30 Nov. (EUORPA PRESS) –
European tourism will face significant growth in 2025, but with a focus increasingly oriented towards sustainability, according to a report prepared by Accor that highlights a change of mentality in tourists who are increasingly aware and responsible.
As the European tourism sector prepares for a 2025 marked by increased spending and travel, travelers demand responsible options that balance growth and environmental impact.
The report ‘Travel of Europeans: balance between growth and impact’, presented by the hotel company Accor, shows how eight out of ten Spaniards consider sustainability important when traveling, reflecting a change in mentality towards more conscious and responsible tourism.
The report, based on a survey of 8,000 travelers from seven European countries, reveals that 53% of respondents expect to spend more on travel next year. Spain is no exception: 55% of Spanish travelers anticipate an increase in their travel budget, while only 9% plan to reduce it.
This growth also translates into a greater volume of trips, since 88% of Europeans plan to make at least one international leisure trip in 2025.
CHALLENGES IN SUSTAINABILITY.
Despite the optimism, the report emphasizes that the sector must redouble its efforts to promote sustainable practices. European travelers identify climate change as a growing concern: 73% consider it an important factor in planning their trips, a percentage that rises to 78% in Spain.
The most common sustainable actions among Spaniards include avoiding destinations affected by extreme weather events (20%), flying less (13%) and looking for sustainable accommodation (14%).
Furthermore, 30% of Spaniards say they will avoid traveling during high season, while 23% will opt for less-known destinations to minimize the impact of overtourism. At European level, 90% of travelers consider that mass tourism will influence their travel decisions.
ECONOMIC OBSTACLES AND PROPOSALS FOR CHANGE.
Cost is the main obstacle to implementing sustainable travel, followed by lack of options and information. 46% of those surveyed indicate that lower prices would make these alternatives more accessible.
In Spain, the lack of information (38%) and sustainable options (29%) are the most mentioned barriers. Measures such as the reduction of railway fares or the restriction of short-distance flights are mentioned as proposals to promote more ecological tourism.
The report highlights workations and long-distance trips as emerging trends. The concept of ‘workation’, which combines work and leisure, continues to rise. 24% of Spaniards plan to take at least one trip of this type in 2025.
On the other hand, although interest in traveling within Europe has decreased slightly, distant destinations such as Asia, North America and Africa are gaining prominence.
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