Increasing numbers of visitors are prioritizing cooler climates or off-season travel to avoid spending their time away in stifling heat, which might accelerate a trend that is already emerging among vacationers as a result of the awful weather in southern Europe.
With yet another heat wave predicted to bring temperatures near to record-breaking levels in the coming days, Europe is now experiencing some of the warmest temperatures of the summer thus far.
Parts of Greece, eastern Spain, Sardinia, and Sicily in southern Italy experienced temperatures of exceeding 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit) lately due to a strong and protracted series of heat waves.
Data from the Brussels-based charity European Travel Commission earlier this month revealed that while travel plans between June and November of this year are down 4% from 2022, they are still at a high 69%.
According to the ETC, Spain was the most preferred travel location, with 8% of respondents intending to take a trip there soon. Following closely behind the southern European nation were France (7%), Italy (7%), Greece (5%) and Croatia (5%).
However, compared to previous year, when Europe suffered its warmest summer on record, the attractiveness of Mediterranean holiday spots decreased by 10%.
The ETC attributed the rise in popularity of vacation countries including the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Ireland, and Denmark to travelers looking for less crowded locations and milder climates.
The industry group added that many people trying to stretch their finances were searching for more economical activities or thinking about traveling during off-peak times.
In the ETC survey, 23% of participants stated they were concerned about the general increase in travel expenses, and 8% mentioned potential harsh weather conditions.
Greece, one of the most well-liked tourist destinations in the Mediterranean, has been dealing with destructive wildfires for the past week.
Wildfires also started on the Greek islands of Evia and Corfu on Sunday. Large fires on the Greek island of Rhodes caused an unusual evacuation of about 19,000 residents on Sunday.
Many vacationers are now caught in a bind. According to a Monday BBC story, some who were forced to leave their hotels over the weekend are now sleeping at the airport, as well as in sports arenas, conference centers, and open spaces.
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