The train, preferred by Europeans to go on vacation. The countries where this means of transport is at the top
Europeans travel more and more by train, and tourists from Spain, the Netherlands and Belgium are among those who prefer this means of transport. At the same time, Paris is experiencing the fastest growth.
PHOTO: About Spain
According to the report “Trends in tourism 2026“, prepared by the Mastercard Economic Institute, at the European level, the data on reservations for the period June – September show that the preference for European destinations continues to grow compared to last year, writes Agerpres.
Thus, six of the top ten global destinations are European, with Paris recording the fastest growth and confirming its position as an important international hub for travelers.
Amsterdam and Brussels are next, while Barcelona, Madrid and Frankfurt are also seeing significant increases in international tourist flows.
“Spending patterns show how diverse Europe remains as travel destinationwith many types of experiences. Swiss tourists going to France tend to spend more in retail, with Paris being a major destination in its own right.
British and Dutch visitors put more emphasis on dining experiences, while German tourists spend more money on food shopping. In Spain, nightlife remains a defining element of the tourism economy, particularly for Brits, who spend 32% more in bars than the average international visitor”the report states.
Rising costs for transportation and accommodation are causing tourists to be more cost-conscious when choosing their vacations. At the same time, currency fluctuations and income differences influence the choice of destinations and reduce demand for certain regions.
“Globally, however, demand remains strong, supported by stable labor markets and high interest in experiences. Europeans continue to prioritize travel, but are more attentive to value, timing and quality of experience”say the specialists.
The report shows that the train is becoming increasingly popular in Europe for travel, with tourist spending on rail transport rising steadily between 2022 and 2025. The Spanish use the train the most, followed by the Dutch, Belgians and the British.
The trend is also supported by the EU strategy for sustainable mobility, which promotes the expansion of high-speed rail transport. At the same time, luxury train travel is also increasing, very popular especially among tourists from Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom.
The Mastercard Economics Institute was established in 2020 and supports companies, governments and decision-makers through economic monitoring services and relevant analyzes on topics such as consumer spending, trade, tourism and other local and global indicators of economic performance.
