The European Union’s tourism sector continued its upward trend in 2024, with the total number of nights spent in tourist accommodation establishments reaching an estimated 2.99 billion. This marked an increase of 53.4 million nights, or 2%, compared to 2023, according to early estimates published by Eurostat today.
The growth was primarily driven by international visitors, who accounted for an additional 58.7 million nights, while domestic guests recorded a slight decline of 5.3 million nights. By the end of 2024, the distribution of tourism nights was nearly balanced between international (48%) and domestic guests (52%).
Hotels and similar accommodations dominated the sector, hosting 1.9 billion nights (63% of the total). Holiday dwellings and other short-stay accommodations accounted for 711 million nights (24%), while campsites contributed 396 million nights (13%).
Most EU countries experienced growth in tourism nights compared to 2023. Luxembourg led the way with a 22% increase, followed by Malta (+13%) and Latvia (+7%). On the other hand, France and Belgium saw slight declines of 1% each, while figures in Sweden, Finland, and Italy remained stable.
This upward trajectory reflects the resilience and appeal of the EU’s tourism industry, with international travel playing an increasingly vital role in the region’s economic recovery and growth.
In contrast to the EU, the Western Balkans region saw an even stronger growth rate in tourism nights, reflecting its increasing popularity as a travel destination. Countries like Albania, Montenegro, and North Macedonia reported double-digit increases, driven by competitive pricing, rich cultural heritage, and improved infrastructure. However, despite this rapid growth, the overall volume of tourist nights in the Western Balkans remains significantly lower than in the EU, highlighting its potential for further expansion and development.