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Exploring Europe's Off-Season: A New Era of Purpose-Driven Travel

News

03 December 2025

Exploring Europe's Off-Season: A New Era of Purpose-Driven Travel

Adventure tourism

Coastal, maritime and inland water tourism

Cultural tourism

+15 more

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A view of a city with a bridge

As Europe embraces a shift in travel trends, a growing number of adventurers are inspired to explore Southern Europe and the Mediterranean during the off-season. Discover how resilient budgets and cultural aspirations are redefining the way Europeans travel.

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Authors

Editorial team

Related Organisation(s)

European Travel Commission

Topics
Geographical descriptors

EU-27

Organisation Type

Destination Management & Marketing Organisations

  • Specific types of tourism

    • Adventure tourism

    • Coastal, maritime and inland water tourism

    • Cultural tourism

    • Ecotourism

    • Education tourism

    • Festival tourism

    • Gastronomy tourism

    • Health and medical tourism

    • MICE tourism

    • Mountain tourism

    • Religious tourism

    • Rural tourism

    • Sports tourism

    • Urban/city tourism

    • Wellness tourism

  • Transition Pathway Strategic Areas

    • Changes in tourism demand and opportunities

    • Governance of tourism destinations

  • Business activities

    • Activities of associations and other organisations supporting tourism

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Europe stands at the brink of a travel renaissance, with seasonal patterns shifting towards off-season exploration from October 2025 to March 2026. Driven by an evolving sense of adventure, 73% of Europeans remain committed to traveling beyond their borders, focusing on fewer, more meaningful journeys with resilient budgets. Southern Europe and the Mediterranean are preferred destinations, attracting travelers with their enticing climates and rich cultural experiences. Supported by data from the "Monitoring Sentiment for Intra-European Travel" initiative, co-funded by the European Union and MINDHAUS, important insights into travel motivations and behaviors are uncovered. Monthly reports from this initiative guide destinations and tourism authorities in adapting to these emerging trends.

Dive into more details on the report "Monitoring Sentiment for Intra-European Travel Autumn ’25/Winter 2026," for a deeper understanding of this transformative season in European travel, by following the link provided.

#Sustainable tourism #Climate-friendly tourism practices #Responsible travel #Destination management #Tourism development #Cross-regional cooperation #Travel trends #Report

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Data

11 Dec 2024

Eurostat article: Seasonality in EU tourism
Coastal regions in the EU experience the highest seasonality, with peak tourism in August, while capital regions maintain a steady flow of tourists year-round.
Categories
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