Record Surge: American Holiday Travel to Europe Peaks in 2023

Allianz Partners, a prominent travel insurance and assistance company, has unveiled data from its 2023 European Holiday Destination Index, indicating a substantial increase in the number of Americans choosing Europe as their holiday destination compared to 2022.
Key findings from the index reveal a notable 21 percent surge in American travel to Europe during this holiday season, with specific destinations such as Barcelona experiencing a remarkable uptick of 61 percent. This follows Allianz Partners’ summer travel survey, which reported a 55 percent increase in trips to Europe in 2023, signaling a robust and ongoing growth trend in American travel to the continent.
Europe continues to capitalize on pent-up travel demand, attracting “revenge” travelers who are now fulfilling their long-awaited bucket list trips to the continent. Allianz Partners USA conducted a comprehensive review of over 1.3 million travel itineraries across the peak holiday travel period, identifying the most popular European destinations for the 2023 holiday season.
London, England, remains an enchanting draw for Americans, securing its top spot since the survey’s inception in 2016. Paris, France, consistently holds second place, expecting a substantial influx of U.S. travelers. The Iberian Peninsula emerges as a focal point for 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), rejoining the Top 20 for the first time since pre-pandemic levels in 2019, and Geneva, Switzerland (12 percent), making a return to the top list of destinations since 2017.
Daniel Durazo, Director of External Communications at Allianz Partners USA, notes, “The continued rise in Americans traveling internationally for the holidays proves there’s still plenty of catching up to do when it comes to checking off their European bucket list.” He emphasizes the importance of travel insurance for international trips, providing protection against unexpected events such as travel delays, cancellations, lost baggage, and medical emergencies. Durazo underscores the value of travel insurance as a vital component of pre-trip planning, offering reimbursements and 24/7 travel assistance to address a range of travel-related challenges.