European Summer Travel Returns to Pre-Pandemic Levels

The number of U.S. tourists heading to Europe this summer has reached levels not seen since 2019, according to an analysis of travel insurance purchases by Squaremouth.com.

According to the data, trips to Europe outnumber those to other regions, as well. Prior to the pandemic, Europe comprised roughly 50% of all summer trips insured through Squaremouth. This fell to 11% in the summer of 2021. This year, European trips insured through Squaremouth peak at 51% in September, and account for 52% of all trips booked next summer.

As for where travelers are going, data shows that more travelers are insuring trips to Italy and Greece than in pre-pandemic years.  

International travel, in general, is up overall, accounting for 79% of all trips insured on Squaremouth.com. In comparison, 84% of summer trips in 2019 were to international destinations.

And, in keeping with “revenge travel” trends, the average cost of a summer trip to Europe this year is up over pre-pandemic levels, with the average insured trip coming in at $7,819. This is over $1,000 more than prior to the pandemic, when the average costs was $6,709.

Squaremouth isn't the only travel entity reporting a growth in European travel. 

"Overall, Globus, Cosmos and Avalon Waterways are seeing rising demand and in certain destinations -- namely France, Ireland, Spain and Portugal -- we are seeing volume at pre-pandemic levels," Steve Born, CMO for the Globus family of brands told Travel Market Report. "We're also witnessing early healthy demand for 2023 that's currently 15% ahead of where sales were at this time of year in 2019, leading into 2020."