Allianz Partners’ annual Top 10 Summer European Destinations report, which analyzes flight itineraries for the summer travel season (May 26, 2023, to Sept. 5, 2023) shows a 55% year-over-year increase in bookings for flights to Europe. This spike in interest is especially significant when considering that 2022’s Europe bookings were 600% higher than 2021’s. Allianz’s report looked at trips ranging from five to eight days in length.
Our Analysis: Perennial Favorites — Including London, Paris and Rome — Are Top of Mind for Travelers
For the second year in a row, London takes the top spot for Europe bookings, followed by Paris (No. 2) and Dublin (No. 3). Rome edged out Reykjavik, Iceland, for the fourth spot on the list, and Barcelona, Spain, was knocked out of the top 10 for the first time in the report’s history (Amsterdam and Athens, meanwhile, moved up on the list). The impressive surge in demand for the continent sheds light on travelers’ current mindset: Although bucket-list destinations remain popular, old-time favorites haven’t lost their charm.
Fast Facts: More Findings From the Report
- London will welcome 25% of this year’s bookings to Europe.
- The rest of the top 10 include Paris; Dublin; Rome; Reykjavik, Iceland; Edinburgh, Scotland; Athens; Amsterdam; Lisbon, Portugal; and Milan, Italy.
- Barcelona, No. 9 on 2022’s list, was knocked out of the top 10 this year.
- Data was gathered by analyzing the number of travelers who booked airfare online through Allianz’s airline partners.
- In regard to trip length, Allianz’s data found that 80% of Americans will spend seven days in Europe, and 11% will plan for eight days away.
- If clients are considering travel insurance for their trips, advisors can receive the latest, up-to-date Allianz brochures through a new digital portal, found in its AgentMax Online advisor platform. The new tool allows advisors to download the most current Allianz information, available as PDF files in a two-page format.
- Clients also have a range of new covered events for Allianz trip cancellation and interruption coverage, including new employment, adoption, theft of travel documents, visa refusal, first responder (call to duty), vehicle theft or breakdown, school-year extension, illness/injury/death of a caregiver, veterinary emergencies, denied boarding (for a medical reason), inability to receive vaccinations and the covered illness or injury of a business partner.
What They Are Saying: Be Prepared and Plan Ahead for a Busier-Than-Ever Summer Travel Season
“Last year, we saw a major increase in American travel to Europe, and this summer indicates an even higher demand, so it’s more important than ever to plan for a busy summer travel season,” said Daniel Durazo, director of external communications at Allianz Partners USA. “From booking your dream hotel room with incredible views, to locking down flight schedules, planning ahead is key, and so is considering travel insurance to protect your travel investment from covered trip cancellations, interruptions, delays and medical emergencies.”
