In a promising sign for the tourism industry's recovery, the European Union saw a significant uptick in the number of nights spent in tourist accommodation during 2023. According to data released by Eurostat today, a total of 2.9 billion nights were logged, marking a notable 6.1% surge from 2022 and a steady 1.4% climb from the pre-pandemic levels of 2019.
The report, based on monthly data tracking tourist accommodation until December 2023, provides insight into the sector's revival amidst ongoing challenges. Here are some key highlights gleaned from the detailed Statistics Explained article:
Strong Performance Across EU Countries
Almost all EU nations demonstrated positive growth in nights spent, with 24 out of 25 countries surpassing their 2022 levels. Malta and Cyprus emerged as frontrunners, boasting a remarkable 20% increase each, trailed closely by Slovakia with a robust 16% upturn. The only outlier, Luxembourg, reported a slight dip of 1% in the number of nights.
International Guests Fuel Growth in Slovakia and Czechia
Slovakia and Czechia showcased the highest surge in nights spent by international visitors, soaring by 29% in 2023 compared to the previous year. Following suit were the Netherlands and Romania, each witnessing a substantial 23% boost. Conversely, Luxembourg maintained stability with no change, while Croatia recorded a modest 2% uptick.
Domestic Tourism Flourishes in Greece and Slovakia
Greece led the pack in domestic tourism growth, experiencing a notable 13% rise in nights spent in 2023 compared to 2022. Slovakia and Bulgaria followed suit with increases of 11% and 9%, respectively. However, Slovenia, Hungary, and Luxembourg faced declines, with drops of 17%, 5%, and 4% in domestic nights spent, respectively.
Surpassing Pre-Pandemic Levels
The data reveals a steady rebound in tourism since spring 2022, with tourist accommodation nights approaching pre-pandemic levels by May of that year. Throughout 2023, only March, June, July, and November witnessed marginal declines compared to 2019 figures. Despite these fluctuations, the overall trend indicates a robust increase in the total number of nights spent, reaching a record high and nearing the milestone of 3 billion annual nights.
As the tourism industry continues to navigate uncertainties, these numbers offer a glimmer of hope for a resilient recovery in the years ahead, particularly for destinations like Croatia poised for growth.
