A more considered traveler
“Broadly confident, but more considered,” is how Debra Fox, managing director at Abercrombie & Kent, describes the general traveler mindset right now. “Clients are still booking and still traveling, but they’re asking more questions before they commit,” she says. “The research phase is longer; the conversations with our specialists are more detailed.”
That doesn’t mean hesitation—quite the opposite. “Despite the longer research phase, average spend per trip is up,” Fox notes. “When clients do commit, they’re committing fully.”
For all of the specialists I spoke with, cancellations remain rare. “We haven’t had a single cancellation to Europe,” says Barber. “In fact, we’ve seen a rise in popularity.”
“Outright cancellations are relatively rare,” Fox agrees. “People still want to travel, they’re just more open to where.”
Instead, travelers are building in buffers, with flexibility becoming a defining priority. “Clients want as much flexibility as possible on what they are booking,” Barber says, pointing to an increased desire for protection and adaptability amongst travelers.
Skyscanner data reflects this shift, with a 66% increase in use of its layover filter as travelers take a more hands-on approach to navigating disrupted airspace. “Comparing dates, providers, departure airports and destinations will always enable you to find the best deal,” Lindsay adds. “For travelers looking to plan ahead, the key is to remain flexible, stay informed and follow travel advisories.”
And it seems this desire for more control is impacting the types of accommodation people are booking. “We’ve experienced an increase of 50% in villa bookings across Greece, Italy, France and Spain,” says Davidson. “And a 178% increase in demand for serviced villas since the pandemic.”
“Private villas offer a value-driven proposition,” she says, “while also giving travelers privacy and independence.” Fox is seeing a similar trend at the luxury end. “The level of interest in private travel has been notable,” she says. “Not just private jets, but private villa rentals, private guiding, experiences that put distance between a client and unpredictability.”
Unsurprisingly, perhaps, there’s also been a rising interest in on-the-ground support: “Having clued-up local concierges gives clients huge reassurance,” Barber notes.
Perception versus reality
Across parts of Europe, the story is less about dramatic change and more about shifting perception. Recent reporting has highlighted a softening in demand for destinations in eastern Europe closer to areas of geopolitical tension, with Cyprus, Turkey, and Greece spotlighted due to their comparative proximity to countries such as Iran, Iraq, and Syria. While official travel advice has not changed, the news cycle is shaping traveler sentiment.
The specialists describe this as a slowdown rather than a drop-off. “Enquiries for Turkey are down 27% year on year and bookings down 11%” Davidson says. Meanwhile, Fox characterizes the region as more nuanced: “Greece, Turkey, and Cyprus aren’t seeing dramatic drops, but the rate of growth has slowed compared to the last couple of years.”
“There have been no cancellation requests for travel to Europe to date,” Davidson adds. “A small number of clients traveling to Turkey have enquired about the situation, but all are currently content to wait and see how events evolve.”