Europe Haberleri - Son Dakika Europe Haber Güncel Gelişmeler

US dominates global travel and tourism market

The 2024 Economic Impact Trends Report launched by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) reveals that the United States continues to be the world's most powerful travel and tourism market. The US holds the top position in terms of both overall travel and tourism contribution to GDP and international visitor spend. Last year, the US travel and tourism sector contributed nearly $2.36 trillion to the national economy, reinforcing its status as a global leader. The latest report from the global tourism body also reveals China as the world’s second most powerful market with a GDP contribution of $1.3 trillion in 2023, underscoring its impressive rebound, despite the late reopening of its borders. While Germany secured the third spot with a $487.6 billion economic contribution, while Japan, which in 2022 was in fifth place, jumped up to fourth position, contributing $297 billion. The United Kingdom completes the top five, contributing $295.2 billion. France, the world’s most popular destination retained its sixth position with a contribution of $264.7 billion, followed closely by Mexico at $261.6 billion, showcasing its continued appeal as a major tourist destination. India came in eighth, rising from a previous 10th position, with $231.6 billion, marking a notable improvement and highlighting its growing influence in the sector. Italy and Spain complete the top 10, contributing $231.3 billion and $227.9 billion, respectively. Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said, "As we look forward to a record-breaking 2024, it's clear that Travel & Tourism is not only back on track, but also set to achieve unprecedented growth. We will continue to prioritise sustainability and inclusivity, ensuring that this growth benefits everyone and protects our planet for future generations. The sector's resilience and potential for innovation continues to drive us forward.” Globally, international visitor spending is set to grow by nearly 16 per cent to reach $1.9 trillion, while domestic tourists are projected to spend more than ever before, reaching $5.4 trillion, an increase of 10.3 per cent over 2019 levels. Travel & Tourism investment grew 13 per cent in 2023 and is set to reach more than $1 trillion, with a return to pre-pandemic levels anticipated by 2025. The report also highlights the sector's commitment to sustainability, showcasing the decoupling of growth from greenhouse gas emissions and the increasing opportunities for women, young people, and marginalised communities. Technological advancements, particularly in AI, are expected to further enhance the travel experience and drive future growth. Source: BW Hotelier

Turkey ranks 4th in hotel investments

New Hotel Investments Continue in Europe and Turkey As of the first half of this year, 418 new hotels with a total capacity of 64,835 rooms are being constructed across Europe. Turkey ranks fourth among the countries in Europe with the highest number of new hotel projects. According to data from Lodging Econometrics' (LE) Q2 2024 European Hotel Construction Pipeline Trend Report, the UK leads in new hotel investments with 306 projects. Germany follows with 178 projects, France with 120, and Turkey is in fourth place with 117 projects. It is expected that 354 new hotel and tourism investment projects will be completed in Turkey by 2026. Istanbul Ranks 2nd In terms of the distribution of new hotel investments by city, London ranks first with 76 projects, followed by Istanbul, which is second among European cities with 50 new hotel investment projects. The report also notes that last year, there were 755 hotel projects with a total capacity of 115,300 rooms across Europe. In the first half of this year, there were 418 new hotel investment projects with a total capacity of 64,835 rooms. 21% of New Hotel Investments are in the Luxury Category The report highlights that, in addition to new hotel investment projects, renovation investments in hotels are also being accelerated. A total of 825 facilities with a capacity of 95,519 rooms across Europe are undergoing renovations. Meanwhile, 128 new hotels were opened across Europe in the first half of the year, with an additional 202 hotels expected to open in the second half, bringing the total number of new hotels opened in 2024 to 330. 100 New Hotels in Turkey It is anticipated that between 2025 and 2026, 100 new 4- and 5-star hotels will open across Turkey, with a total of 354 new hotel and tourism investment projects expected to be completed by 2026. Top 5 Countries in Europe with the Most New Hotel Investments: United Kingdom: 306 projects / 43,515 rooms Germany: 178 projects / 28,637 rooms France: 120 projects / 12,831 rooms Turkey: 117 projects / 17,856 rooms Portugal: 114 projects / 14,247 rooms Top 5 Cities in Europe with the Most New Hotel Investments: London, UK: 76 projects / 14,954 rooms Istanbul, Turkey: 50 projects / 8,397 rooms Lisbon, Portugal: 36 projects / 4,425 rooms Dublin, Ireland: 26 projects / 5,012 rooms Düsseldorf, Germany: 24 projects / 4,448 rooms

European Cities Tested by Influx of Tourists

Measures Taken by European Cities to Combat Overtourism Barcelona, Spain: In Catalonia, the proliferation of short-term rentals has significantly impacted the local housing market. Barcelona's Mayor, Jaume Collboni, announced plans to completely phase out short-term rental homes within five years. The city administration hopes to reintegrate over 10,000 currently legal holiday rental homes into the long-term rental market. Residents of Barcelona have been protesting, arguing that tourism-driven rent increases have exacerbated the cost of living. Collboni noted that rents in Barcelona have risen by more than 70% over the past decade. Catalonia attracted the most tourists in Spain last year, with 18 million visitors. Mallorca: The Spanish island of Mallorca has also seen anti-tourism protests in recent months. High rents are a major source of discontent, similar to Catalonia. Local council members in Mallorca are considering allowing property sales only to island residents, though how this would comply with European Union (EU) laws remains uncertain. Controls on the holiday rental sector have been tightened recently. For example, Palma, the island's capital, has implemented an action plan to identify and penalize illegal accommodation. Last year, Mallorca set a new record with approximately 12.5 million tourists, but the number is expected to decrease in 2024 due to limits on the number of cruise ships docking in Palma. Canary Islands: The Canary Islands also broke their record with about 14 million tourists. However, local dissatisfaction has grown alongside the increasing number of tourists. The first major protest against mass tourism in Spain took place in the Canary Islands last April, with thousands demanding a fairer distribution of tourism income. Despite the rising number of tourists, average wages remain low. Unlike many other tourist centers, the Canary Islands do not currently charge tourists an accommodation tax, but Tenerife will start imposing an "environmental tax" on tourists from the new year. Paris, France: Ahead of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Paris tripled the tourist tax charged per night of stay. Depending on the hotel category, this tax can now reach up to 14.95 euros per night. France also limits the number of days a property can be rented out on short-term rental platforms like Airbnb to 120 days per year. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Amsterdam has taken some of the strictest measures in Europe to limit mass tourism. The city has capped its maximum tourist capacity at 20 million overnight stays per year. This policy was adopted in 2021 as part of Amsterdam's "balanced tourism" strategy, following protests by tens of thousands of residents calling for stricter controls on the tourism sector. New hotel constructions are now permitted only if another hotel closes, and these new hotels are encouraged to be built outside the city center. Amsterdam will also limit the number of cruise ships docking in its port. Greece: Greece might also implement restrictions on cruise ships. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis mentioned that Santorini and Mykonos are facing issues due to overtourism, and a cap on cruise ship arrivals might be introduced next year. According to official Greek data, the South Aegean, one of Greece’s 13 administrative regions, and composed of islands, hosts the highest ratio of tourists to residents in the EU, with over 100 tourists per island resident. A new regulation now requires all accommodation facilities, including Airbnb, to charge a Climate Crisis Resilience Fee, which can reach up to 10 euros depending on the hotel category. The Greek government states that this fee will help tourism officials manage situations such as fires or earthquakes more effectively. Venice, Italy: Since this year, Venice has been charging all day-trippers who do not stay overnight in the historic city center a fee of 5 euros on certain days. This measure aims to reduce the number of tourists who only visit for a few hours and do not contribute significantly to the local economy. The city collected this fee approximately 485,000 times between April 25 and July 14, raising 2.2 million euros. According to Italian media, this pilot scheme might become permanent, and the fee could double next year. Venice attracts around 20 million tourists annually.

The Times wrote: "Tourism anger sweeps across Europe"

Lauterbrunnen, a Swiss village overlooking the Bernese Alps, blames TikTok for overtourism. Along the valley's crowded paths, selfie sticks are raised as if going into battle, and long lines form in front of waterfalls. A drone buzzes overhead. According to local resident Alexis Heuser, the area has become overcrowded and commercialized in recent years. This is a familiar story across Europe. Tourists, many of whom are Americans with strong dollars, are flocking to the continent at surprising rates: the number of US visitors to the EU is 65% higher than a decade ago. But it's not just Americans; the wealthy middle classes of China, India, and Brazil are also flooding in. Last year, there were 709 million overseas visitors, a 22% increase from a decade ago. As the share of global wealth shifts from Europe to China, India, and the Gulf, the allure of Europe's beaches, museums, churches, designer shops, and deep cultural heritage has proven irresistible, especially after the lifting of pandemic restrictions. Despite economic and geopolitical setbacks, Europe's appeal continues to grow. Mallorca will break its tourist record for the third consecutive year. In 2022, the island had 17 million visitors. This year, 20 million visitors are expected, which is about 22 times the population of Mallorca. Measures have been taken across the continent There has been a strong backlash against overtourism in Europe for years. Venice has taken measures to ban cruise ships and, this year, began charging a €5 entry fee on the busiest days. Last spring, Amsterdam announced that "overtourism would be completely banned" by 2035, which means banning cruise ships, new hotels, and more than 20 million overnight stays by tourists per year, according to local government. Similar anti-tourism movements exist in Athens, Lisbon, Venice, and Barcelona, as well as much of Spain, including Mallorca and Tenerife. But what is the reason behind this opposition movement? Are those protesting against tourism self-sabotaging or honest citizens trying to protect themselves? Social media tourism The real game-changer has been the emergence of cheap air travel. It has been 30 years since the EasyJet revolution opened Europe up to all kinds of vacations. In 1955, a one-way ticket from New York to London on Trans World Airlines cost £222, or £2,561 in today's money. Now, the same journey costs around £390. Thanks to Airbnb, accommodation is often more flexible and affordable. Add to this social media tourism. With the prevalence of Instagram and TikTok, many more people are eager to visit the same places, eat at the same restaurants, or take photos at the same waterfall. Lauterbrunnen stands out. During the peak season, the village's population of 2,400 can rise to 6,000. It's hard to reach Venice levels, but it still struggles under the load. In some parts of the road, there is no sidewalk, forcing people to walk alongside traffic. Signs on houses are filled with warnings like "BE CAREFUL" and "NO PHOTOGRAPHY." Last month, restless villagers considered introducing a "day-tripper tax." As summer temperatures regularly exceed 40C in Southern Europe, Instagram-worthy Alpine valleys in Switzerland and Austria are becoming more popular. Yet there is a discrepancy here. Lauterbrunnen is one of many places that both court and oppose mass tourism. Cost of living and housing crisis The loud anti-tourism movements in Europe have a populist tone, reflecting frustrations over the cost of living and especially housing. Young Europeans, in particular, do not seem pleased with their continent turning into a giant museum. The Less Tourism, More Life campaign group in Mallorca follows a similar movement in the Canary Islands, the center of Spanish anti-tourism. Pere Joan, a 25-year-old student from Mallorca, says the group has increased protests this summer because the situation is no longer sustainable. Joan said they unfurled banners on beaches for beach occupation, surprising tourists. While Mallorca survives on tourism, Joan said the wealth is unequally distributed and does not benefit the island's residents.

Istanbul Airport is once again at the top of Europe

Istanbul Airport became the busiest airport in Europe with an average of 1296 flights per day between December 4th and 10th. The European Aviation Report for the period of December 4th to 10th was published by the European Organization for the Safety of Air Navigation (Eurocontrol). According to the report, Istanbul Airport ranked first among the busiest airports in Europe during this period with an average of 1296 flights per day. Istanbul Airport was followed by London Heathrow with an average of 1286 flights per day, Amsterdam Schiphol with 1251 flights, and Paris Charles de Gaulle with 1217 flights.

On-time departure rates remained at 66 percent

Bad weather conditions are shown as the main reason for the delay in flights in Europe this summer. 66 percent of the flights operated in Europe from June to August were on time. While bad weather conditions in July are cited as the main reason for the increase in flight delays, according to the European Organization for the Safety of Air Navigation (EUROCONTROL), delays due to weather in July 2023 are 2.5 times more than in the same period of 2022. According to the German Air Transport Association (BDL), the number of on-time departures at Germany's 10 busiest airports increased by 8 percent this summer compared to summer 2022. BDL says weather is responsible for many flight delays. Storms in summer and snow and icing in winter may cause planes to take off late. According to the information in Turizmgüncel, it is stated that in addition to weather conditions, technical problems on the aircraft such as baggage unloading regulations may also cause delays. Passengers who have checked in and put their luggage in the baggage are let off again if they arrive on the plane too late or at all. Because for security reasons, luggage is not allowed to fly without passengers. It is stated that another problem is strikes and protests at airports.

Short-term rentals in Europe broke a record

The European Statistical Office (Eurostat) published accommodation data on short-term rentals other than hotels through online platforms in the second quarter of 2023 in EU countries. According to the data, in the second quarter, stays at short-term rentals booked through Airbnb, Booking, Expedia Group or TripAdvisor increased by 15.8 percent compared to the previous year, reaching approximately 153 million nights. Thus, in the said period, new monthly records were broken in short-term accommodations through platforms, exceeding the levels before the Covid-19 outbreak. Accommodations made through online platforms increased by 19.5 percent to 46.7 million in April, 22.6 percent to 47.6 million in May, and 8.4 percent to 58.7 million in June, compared to the same period last year. In the first half of this year, short-term rentals via platforms increased by 18.8 percent compared to the first half of last year, reaching 237 million nights, exceeding the data of 2019, before Covid-19, by 22.6 percent. On the other hand, tourism in EU countries came to a halt in 2020 due to the Covid-19 epidemic and the strict measures implemented.

Tourism in Europe exceeded pre-Covid-19 levels

The European Statistical Office (Eurostat) published nightly tourist accommodation data in EU member countries in the first half of 2023. Accordingly, the EU tourism sector, which was negatively affected by the epidemic, recovered this year. In the first half of this year, the number of accommodations in tourist facilities in EU countries reached the highest level in the first half of the last 10 years. The number of overnight stays in tourist facilities, which was 1 billion 182 million in the first 6 months of 2019, the pre-pandemic period, reached 1 billion 193 million in the same period of 2023. Thus, the total number of overnight stays in tourist facilities in EU countries in the first half of this year was 11 million more than the 2019 period before the epidemic. In the first 6 months of this year, overnight stays increased by 12.9 percent compared to last year. On the other hand, tourism in EU countries came to a halt in 2020 due to the Covid-19 epidemic and the strict measures implemented.

Forbes Selected: Here Are The 10 Most Touristic Towns In Europe

Europe is full of amazing little towns to explore, beyond the capitals. Forbes magazine has selected the 10 most beautiful tourist towns in Europe to draw attention to them. Bonifacio, which is among the selections of Forbes magazine, is located on the French island of Corsica. This town is known for its famous marina and castle, which has been in place since the 12th century. Travelers can enjoy impressive views and explore the history of the Corsican town at the Bastion de l'Étendard castle. The town of Bolsena in Italy is included in the Forbes selection. This town in the Viterbo region is located very close to the Bolsena lake, the largest volcanic lake in Europe, and retains its authentic character. Spain was also included in the list with the Andalusian town of Ronda. Perched on top of a mountain, Ronda's history dates back to the Moorish occupation, while the Puento Nuevo bridge crossing the El Tajo gorge offers very scenic views. Forbes also named the town of Cochem in Germany. This colorful town, with its 11th-century castle, is ideal for visiting, especially in the fall. In England, Bibury offers a journey into traditional England with its typical houses and bars. Not to forget Ericeira, a former fishing village in Portugal, located in the heart of an ideal area for surfing and relaxing in the beach. Forbes' selection also highlights four smaller towns further east. Cesky Krumlov in the Czech Republic ranks first in Central Europe. A UNESCO heritage town, this town boasts one of the largest castles in Central Europe and well-preserved architecture. In Austria, the Tyrol Hall features a restored medieval town center and a beautiful Christmas market. Stara Lubovna in Slovakia will delight those seeking a blend of history, nature and culture with its enriching walks. In Romania, Sibiu, the former European Capital of Culture, continues to shine with its medieval city center, a UNESCO heritage site. Gorgeous fishing village in Northern Europe, located in the heart of the Reine (Norway) fjords.