Travelers from Europe seeking alternative destinations and off-peak travel amid growing worries about overcrowded tourist hotspots
## European Travel Trends for 2025: A Shift Towards Offbeat Destinations
A new wave of travel preferences is emerging among European tourists for the year 2025, as reported by the European Travel Commission (ETC). The data reveals a significant increase in the number of travellers seeking out lesser-known, quieter, and off-the-beaten-path destinations, marking a shift away from traditional hotspots.
According to the ETC, 55% of European travelers are now drawn to less conventional locations, a notable increase from the previous year. This trend reflects growing concerns about overtourism and a desire for more authentic, less crowded experiences. The traditional hotspots are losing some appeal, drawing only 45% of travelers, while off-season travel, especially September, is gaining popularity for its milder weather, fewer crowds, and better value.
## Key Trends
The ETC's research highlights several key trends in European travel preferences for 2025:
- **Interest in Offbeat Destinations:** 55% of European travelers are now seeking out lesser-known destinations, a notable increase from the previous year. - **Off-Season Travel:** Early autumn (September) is emerging as a preferred time for travel, with 22% of Europeans planning trips during this month. - **Regional Preferences:** 91% plan to travel within Europe, with a strong preference for the Mediterranean—Spain, Italy, France, and Greece—while also showing increased interest in more distant European destinations. - **Demographic Insights:** Older travelers (55+) are the most enthusiastic, with 82% planning trips; younger travelers (18–24) are also keen but face more financial constraints.
## Destinations Gaining Attention
While the ETC does not publish an official list of specific offbeat destinations, the trends clearly point towards quieter regions in France, Italy, and Spain, as well as a rise in "slow travel" destinations that promote a gentler, more sustainable approach to tourism. Examples of such destinations, highlighted in other travel indices, include Cornwall in the UK, the Algarve in Portugal, Provence in France, Lanzarote in Spain, County Mayo in Ireland, Dubrovnik in Croatia, Oslo in Norway, and Montenegro.
A significant portion of travelers (32%) are looking to explore destinations further afield within Europe, not just the usual nearby options.
## How Destinations Are Responding
The ETC urges destinations to promote less crowded activities and sustainable projects to capitalize on this trend. There is a clear opportunity for regions with underdeveloped tourism infrastructure to attract a new wave of visitors seeking authenticity and tranquility.
## Conclusion
European tourists in 2025 are increasingly eschewing crowded hotspots in favor of quieter, less conventional destinations—especially in France, Italy, and Spain, but also farther afield in places promoting slow travel and sustainable tourism. The ETC highlights this "quiet revolution" in travel behavior, with destinations that can offer authenticity, sustainability, and a respite from overtourism poised to benefit the most.
The research surveyed travellers across the UK, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Switzerland, Belgium, Austria, France, and Spain.
- Despite the rise of conventional hotspots, the appeal is dwindling as more travelers gravitate towards cooking local cuisines and adopting a sustainable living approach in lesser-known European destinations in 2025.
- With a growing interest in outdoor-living, the Mediterranean, such as the Algarve in Portugal and Provence in France, are becoming popular destinations for travelers seeking a fusion of fashion-and-beauty, food-and-drink, and home-and-garden experiences.
- As European travelers favor healthier cooking methods and budget-conscious vacations, adventure-travel enthusiasts explore untouched regions on their cars and focus on affordable car-maintenance, with off-beaten paths of Lanzarote in Spain and Montenegro gaining significant attention.
- In the spirit of global-cuisines, an increasing number of travelers prefer experiencing regional preferences, with older travelers planning trips to Italy, France, Spain, and Greece, while younger travelers seek out more affordable options in quieter, off-the-beaten-path destinations like Dubrovnik in Croatia and County Mayo in Ireland.
- The European Travel Commission encourages destinations to offer off-season travel opportunities, especially in September, to cater to the preferences of travelers seeking milder weather, fewer crowds, and better value, as Europe's quiet revolution in travel behavior continues.
- Amid this shift towards authentic and sustainable experiences, European travel trends for 2025 will also acknowledge the importance of promoting and supporting local food producers, organic farming, and eco-friendly practices that align with the ethos of healthy cooking and environmentally friendly living.
- As travelers prioritize creating meaningful, immersive experiences, they are not only looking to experiment with different travel styles and a variety of global cuisines but also to develop a more nuanced understanding of various cultures and their lifestyles in the hope of making lasting connections and memories in lesser-known European destinations.
