American Holiday Travel to Europe Soars: Allianz 2023 Index
According to the latest data from Allianz Partners’ 2023 European Holiday Destination Index, the number of Americans traveling to Europe for the holidays has seen a significant uptick compared to 2022. Allianz Partners, a leading travel insurance and assistance company, reports a remarkable 21 percent increase in American travel to Europe this holiday season, with specific destinations like Barcelona experiencing a notable surge of 61 percent.
This upward trend aligns with Allianz Partners’ summer travel survey, which indicated a 55 percent increase in trips to Europe in 2023 compared to the previous year. The data underscores the sustained and robust growth of American travel to Europe, fueled in part by pent-up demand as “revenge” travelers embark on long-awaited bucket list trips to the continent.
Analyzing over 1.3 million travel itineraries during the peak holiday travel period between November 22, 2023, and January 4, 2024, Allianz Partners USA identified the season’s most popular European destinations for 2023. London, England, retained its top spot as the most enchanting city for Americans, a position it has held since the survey’s initiation in 2016. Paris, France, consistently secured the second spot, anticipating a high influx of U.S. travelers.
The Iberian Peninsula emerged as a focal point of increased visitation, with notable rises in American travel to Madrid, Spain (37 percent), Barcelona, Spain (61 percent), and Lisbon, Portugal (47 percent). Other noteworthy increases include Prague, Czech Republic (51 percent), reentering the Top 20 for the first time since pre-pandemic levels in 2019, and Geneva, Switzerland (12 percent), making a comeback to the top list of destinations since its last appearance in 2017.
Daniel Durazo, Director of External Communications at Allianz Partners USA, commented on the continued surge in Americans traveling internationally for the holidays, emphasizing the importance of travel insurance for international trips. He highlighted that travel insurance can offer protection against unexpected covered events, including travel delays, trip cancellations, lost baggage, and medical emergencies. Durazo emphasized the value of 24/7 travel assistance in addressing various travel-related issues.
