Knowledge documents
30 March 2026
European Tourism Set to Soar with Strategic Airport Expansions
Knowledge documents
30 March 2026
Adventure tourism
Coastal, maritime and inland water tourism
Cultural tourism
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Colliers' latest report, "EMEA Airport Expansion Supports Demand Growth," highlights the pivotal role of airport capacity expansion in shaping the future of tourism in Europe, as air passenger volumes hit new highs and prepare for continued growth.
Collier
Colliers
Topics
EU-27
Academic / Research and VET Institutions
Business Support Organisation
Company with 250 or more employees
Cluster Organisations
Consumer Organisations
Cultural and Heritage Organisations
Destination Management & Marketing Organisations
EU Institutions
Financial Institutions and Investors
Industry Associations and Chambers of Commerce
International Organisations
Local Authorities
Media / Journalist Organisations
National authorities
Networks and Federations / Confederations
NGOs / Non-profits
Notified Bodies
Regional Authorities
SMEs (a company with less than 250 employees)
Social Economy Entity
Trade Unions
Other
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Specific types of tourism
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Adventure tourism
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Coastal, maritime and inland water tourism
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Cultural tourism
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Ecotourism
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Education tourism
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Festival tourism
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Gastronomy tourism
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Health and medical tourism
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MICE tourism
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Mountain tourism
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Religious tourism
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Rural tourism
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Sports tourism
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Urban/city tourism
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Wellness tourism
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Transition Pathway Strategic Areas
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Changes in tourism demand and opportunities
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Cross-border travelling
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Sustainable mobility
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Tourism strategies
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Business activities
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Activities of amusement parks and theme parks
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Activities of associations and other organisations supporting tourism
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Air passenger transport
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Camping grounds, recreational vehicle parks and trailer parks
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Events catering and other food services
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Festivals, cultural and entertainment activities
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Gardens and nature reserves activities
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Holiday Housing / Apartments and other short stay accommodation
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Hotel and similar accommodation
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Mobile beverage services
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Mobile food services
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Museums
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Operation of historical sites
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Other
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Other accommodation
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Other amusement and recreation activities
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Other food and beverage services
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Other holiday reservation services
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Other tourism transportation activities
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Rail Passenger transport
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Recreational and sport activities
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Restaurants, cafes and bars (Food and Beverage serving activities)
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Road passenger transport
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Tour operator activities
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Travel agency activities
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Water (sea, coastal and inland) passenger transport
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Share
As European airports reached a record 2.6 billion passengers in 2025, there is significant optimism surrounding the region's tourism sector. The report forecasts a 4% annual growth in air arrivals over the next decade, driven primarily by increasing demand from the Asia-Pacific region, which is expected to grow by 7% annually. This surge in passenger volumes is prompting major capacity expansions at Europe’s largest airports, including London Heathrow’s third runway, as well as enhancements at Istanbul International and Paris Charles de Gaulle.
These infrastructure developments are set to profoundly affect European tourism, offering a broader range of opportunities for hoteliers and hospitality operators to cater to diverse tourist demographics and budgets. The expanded capacity will allow Europe to better accommodate the expected influx of international tourists, benefiting retail and leisure markets by increasing foot traffic and consumer spending. Though promising, these expansions must navigate potential challenges such as aircraft delivery delays and geopolitical uncertainties.
Colliers' report provides a comprehensive roadmap for stakeholders, highlighting the strategic importance of adapting to growing demand and capitalizing on the opportunities presented by these expansions. The full report is available for download, offering in-depth insights into the future trajectory of European tourism and its reliance on evolving airport infrastructure.
The comprehensive "Expanding airport capacity & Tourism, EMEA" report can be downloaded at the link provided on the left-hand side of the platform.
#Tourism development #Destination management #Strategies and actions #EU Tourism Strategy #Mobility #Cross-regional cooperation
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