Search Travel Market Report

mainlogo
www.travelmarketreport.com
U.S.A.
English
Canada
English
Canada Quebec
Français
  • News
  • Packaged Travel
  • Cruise
  • Hotels & Resorts
  • Destinations
  • Retail Strategies
  • Air
  • Training & Resources
  • Luxury Travel Report

Demand for Europe Expected to Continue Into 2016

by Barbara Peterson  September 21, 2015

Buoyed by the strength of the U.S. dollar and additional airline capacity on the North Atlantic, the summer season was hot: a record 1.74 million Americans crossed the Atlantic in June, up nearly 8% from the same month last year, according to the European Travel Commission’s Trans-Atlantic Report. And the steady stream is expected to continue.

“It looks like this will be a record peak season for U.S. travel to Europe,” said Neil Martin, of Donald N. Martin & Company, which represents the ETC in the United States. “The momentum should continue into this fall, in part because air fares are going down,” with prices on some routes like New York-London down nearly 20% from the same period in 2014.

While air fares rose earlier this year, with peak season fares of nearly $2,000 roundtrip in some markets, “the fares are a relatively small part of the picture,” Martin said. Lodging, meals, and other costs are more attractive, and “when it comes to hotels you have a lot more choices now,” with new types of accommodations like apartment rentals added to the mix.

Agents specializing in European itineraries also saw their business flourish this year.

“My Europe business is definitely very strong this year,” said Diana Hechler, president of D Tours Travel in Larchmont, NY, and bookings for the fall and beyond are looking good. While Italy is a perennial best seller with her clientele, she’s also recently booked trips to Ireland, France, Scotland, and Spain.

Some clients, in fact, may have been put off by the cost of air travel a few months ago, she noted. “People were shocked. I was hearing reactions like, ‘$1,800 for a coach seat to Italy – really?’ People who were thinking of taking the whole family along had a rude awakening.”

But air fares are dropping sharply this fall, said Marzia Bortolin, an official of the Italian Tourist Board based in New York. With fares like Alitalia’s $800 roundtrip fares from the U.S. to Rome. “We’re seeing Americans everywhere.”

Troubles in the news—from Greek bank closings to dry rivers to immigrants at the train stations—have some individual countries experiencing declines in bookings recently. But tourism stalwarts like Great Britain are doing well this year, with North American visits to the U.K. up 15% in June.

The U.K. is also a strong offseason draw, said ETC’s Martin, noting that increased competition from newer players like Norwegian Air have pushed New York-London fall fares to their lowest level since 2011, with discounted roundtrip fares of $781.

The airlines lately have been boosting capacity on the North Atlantic, which is up nearly 3% this summer, encouraged by low fuel prices. One result is that planes are less crowded than they were two years ago, when load factors on transatlantic flights hit a knee-knocking 90%, versus 87% this year.

The ETC promotes tourism to 33 member countries, including EU states plus non-EU nations such as Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and Turkey.

  
  
Related Articles
New Hyatt Inclusive Collection Resort Opens in Bulgaria
New Opening: Kimpton Atlântico Algarve in Portugal
U.S. Consumers Lead in Cruise Spending, Summer Travel Spend Is Up, & Other Travel Trends
Le nombre de voyageurs canadiens à Los Cabos atteint des niveaux record
Retour sur l’événement “le Pérou à Montréal”
Luxury Gold dévoile le tout nouvel itinéraire “Spectacular Scotland” pour 2026 et un FAM exclusif
L’Espagne et le Portugal rétablissent progressivement le courant après une panne majeure ayant perturbé les déplacements
La passe Emirates est maintenant offerte à l’année
New Opening: Fairmont Golden Prague
G Adventures Launches Rail Collection

MOST VIEWED

  1. La Liste Reveals Top 10 Hotels in the World for 2025
  2. Travel Leaders Network President John Lovell to Depart for Cruise Role
  3. Delta Air Lines Clarifies Schedule Change Policy for Travel Agencies
  4. Hilton Rewards Reservations Canceled Amid Transition of Playa Hotels to Hyatt
  5. Certares Takes Full Ownership of Avoya Travel, Andersons Depart
  6. American Airlines Launches First Touchless ID Lanes


  1. Former Virgin Voyages Head of Sales John Diorio Lands New Role at Celestyal
  2. Delta Is Now Requiring Agencies to Acknowledge and Accept Schedule Changes in PNR
  3. 8 Things to Know About Azamara Cruises
  4. Overtourism Backlash Heats Up in Europe as Summer Season Kicks Off
  5. Xanterra Travel Collection Names New CIO & Corporate Director of Sales
  6. Here Are All the New Cruise Ships Coming in 2026, 2027, and Beyond
TMR Subscription

Subscribe today to receive daily in-depth luxury coverage, analysis of luxury news, luxury trends and issues that affect how you do business. Subscribe now for free.

Subscribe to TMR

Top Stories
The Top 11 Hottest Adventure Tours of 2025 (So Far)
The Top 11 Hottest Adventure Tours of 2025 (So Far)

Top tour operators talk their best-selling products for 2025.

U.S. Issues Travel Alerts for Myanmar & Thailand Following Earthquakes
U.S. Issues Travel Alerts for Myanmar & Thailand Following Earthquakes

On Friday, March 28, a 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Burma in Myanmar, with tremors felt in neighboring Thailand and China.

Free Roundtrip Airfare from AmaWaterways for Egypt River Cruises
Free Roundtrip Airfare from AmaWaterways for Egypt River Cruises

Your clients can get free air on select 2025 and 2026 cruise and land journeys.

U.S. Secretary of State Promises to Reevaluate Jamaica Travel Warning
U.S. Secretary of State Promises to Reevaluate Jamaica Travel Warning

The U.S. State Department has told Americans to “reconsider” travel to Jamaica since July 2024.

What to Expect from Celestyal’s Middle East Desert Day Cruises
What to Expect from Celestyal’s Middle East Desert Day Cruises

With its first-ever Arabian Gulf season wrapped up, here’s everything your clients need to know about Celestyal’s offering in the region.

Tahiti Tourisme Appoints New CEO
Tahiti Tourisme Appoints New CEO

The new CEO currently serves as the organization’s CMO.

TMR OUTLOOKS & WHITE PAPERS
View All
industry spotlight
https://img.youtube.com/vi/F3tnroIkhTQ/0.jpg
Mitsui Ocean Cruises, Beautiful Encounters with Japan
Advertiser's Voice
The Collette Premium Experience
About Travel Market Report Mission Meet the Team Advisory Board Advertise Syndication Guidelines
TMR Resources Calendar of Events Outlook/Whitepapers Previous Sponsored Articles Previous This Week Articles
Subscribe to TMR
Select Language
Do You Have an Idea Email
editor@travelmarketreport.com
Give Us a Call
1-(516) 730-3097
Drop Us a Note
Travel Market Report
71 Audrey Ave, Oyster Bay, NY 11771
© 2005 - 2025 Travel Market Report, an American Marketing Group Inc. Company All Rights Reserved | Terms and Conditions
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Manage cookie preferences