Turkey was one of the three most preferred destinations outside the European Union for tourism trips taken by EU residents in 2024. The United Kingdom and Switzerland were the other two destinations on the list.
According to Eurostat data, EU residents took approximately 1.2 billion tourism trips in 2024. The number of nights spent away from home during these trips reached approximately 6 billion, while total tourism spending was recorded at €618 billion.
Most international trips took place within the EU
Approximately 73% of EU residents’ international trips were made between EU member states. Trips to destinations outside the bloc accounted for a smaller share of total international travel.
Destinations outside Europe accounted for 13.1% of all international trips by EU residents. Africa’s share was 4.5%, followed by Asia at 4.2% and the Americas at 4.1%.
Nearby destinations were preferred
Proximity was one of the important factors influencing EU residents’ choice of destinations for international travel. Neighboring countries or countries close to Europe were generally preferred more often.
Italy was the most preferred international destination overall among EU residents. Italy accounted for 10.7% of all international trips, while Spain ranked second with 10.4%.