Money Buzz! Europa

Tag: travel

  • Ryanair to cut winter capacity from 60% to 40%

    Ryanair to cut winter capacity from 60% to 40%

    Ryanair released its revised winter schedule. Due to increased flight restrictions imposed by EU Govts, air travel to/from much of Central Europe, the UK, Ireland, Austria, Belgium and Portugal have been heavily curtailed.

    This has caused forward bookings to weaken slightly in October, but materially in November & December.

    In light of these weaker bookings, and Ryanair’s plan to operate with a 70% load factors, Ryanair has further reduced its winter schedule (Nov – Mar) taking capacity down from 60% to 40% of prior year.

    Ryanair expects to maintain up to 65% of its winter route network, but with reduced frequencies.

    In addition to the winter closure of bases in Cork, Shannon, and Toulouse, Ryanair has announced significant base aircraft cuts in Belgium, Germany, Spain, Portugal and Vienna.  

    With this greatly reduced winter capacity and load factors of approx. 70%, Ryanair now expects full year (FY21) traffic to fall to approx. 38m guests, although this guidance could be further revised downwards.

  • How the Austrians spent their holidays this year

    How the Austrians spent their holidays this year

    According to Statistics Austria, the number of holiday trips of Austrians with at least one overnight stay (including visits to relatives and friends) was nearly halved this year compared to the first six months of 2019 (-42.7% to 5.59 million).

    The decline is mainly due to the second quarter of 2020 (-61.3%), with domestic trips falling by 27.9% and trips abroad by even 91.2% in this quarter.

    The proportion of people with at least one holiday trip decreased in the first quarter of 2020 by 7.4 percentage points to 30.0%, in the second quarter of 2020 by 26.7 percentage points to 19.8%.

    Half of the trips lead to Italy, Croatia and Germany

    In the first half of 2020, people residing in Austria spent more than three quarters of their holiday trips (76.0% or 4.25 million) in Austria, which was a decrease of 21.8% compared to the first half of 2019. For short holiday trips between one and three overnight stays, the domestic share was 81.4%.

    The number of holiday trips abroad decreased by 69% to 1.34 million in the first half of 2020 (short trips: -58.9%; main trips: -75.2%).

    The decline in holiday trips in the first half of 2020 was particularly marked for popular international destinations like Germany (-60.2%), Hungary (-28.9%), Italy (-86.4%) and Croatia (-79.0%).

    The number of long-distance trips (holiday trips outside Europe and Turkey) decreased by 57.6% to 179.000.

    More than one third of holiday trips to visit family and friends

    Due to Easter, the proportion of visits to relatives and friends during this travel period is traditionally very high and was also the most important travel motive in the first six months of 2020: 38.8% of all holiday trips abroad were made for this reason (first half of 2019: 21.9%), for domestic trips this share was 35.1% (first half of 2019: 32.3%).

    The proportion of free accommodation was correspondingly high: 44.1% of all holiday trips were spent with friends or family or at second homes (first half of 2019: 29.8%), for domestic holiday trips the share was even 45.6%. 40.8% of the holiday trips were spent in hotels or similar establishments.

    Furthermore, travel motives differ depending on the destination: For domestic holiday trips, the second most important travel motive after visiting friends and family was sportive activity holidays (33.1%), 14.1% looked for recreation, 4.2% chose wellness and beauty.

    The main reasons for travelling abroad – apart from visits to family and friends – were cultural trips (20.9%) and sportive activity holidays (9.5%).

    Private car most frequently used for travelling

    In the first half of 2020, the private car was still the most frequently used means of transport for travel: 83.3% of domestic trips and 48.9% of holiday trips abroad were made by car.

    The proportion of vacations for which people travelled by car is thus higher than in the same period of the previous year (77.7% of domestic trips and 43.7% of trips abroad).

    The share of air travel abroad decreased from 37.6% to 33.7%, especially in favor of travelling by car (increase from 43.7% to 48.9%). The number of flights abroad fell by almost three quarters (-72.2%).

  • Austrian tourism revenues fell by 31,7% this year

    Austrian tourism revenues fell by 31,7% this year

    From May to August, tourism revenues in Austria fell by 31.7 percent compared to the previous year, Heute reports.

    The corona crisis has caused massive slumps in Austrian tourism. According to an estimate by the Vienna Economic Research Institute (WIFO), tourism revenues fell by a nominal 31.7 percent to EUR 7.22 billion between May and August compared to the same period of the previous year.

    The biggest drop was in Vienna (minus 81.1 percent) and the lowest in Carinthia (minus 13.7 percent). Styria (minus 17.4 percent) and Burgenland (minus 18.4 percent) recorded a relatively low decline in tourism revenues between May and September.

  • 7.3 million tourists were accommodated in Poland in H1 2020

    7.3 million tourists were accommodated in Poland in H1 2020

    In the first half of 2020, 7.3 million tourists were accommodated in tourist accommodation establishments and 19.4 million overnight stays were provided for them, latest Statistics Poland data show.

    Compared to the same period 2019, this was lower by 54.3% and 51.5% respectively.

    Compared to the first half of 2019, the occupancy rate of accommodation establishments also decreased from 37.6% to 23.8%.

    Tourism is one of the sectors directly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The restrictions
    on the movement of people introduced in Poland in mid-March this year and the reduction
    in activities related to the provision of hotel services since the beginning of April resulted
    in a significant decrease in the number of persons accommodated in tourist accommodation
    establishments.

    After the above restrictions were lifted in May, some accommodation establishments did not resume operations and, despite a gradual increase in the number of tourists accommodated in accommodation establishments, the occupancy of establishments did not reach the level of the same periods last year.

  • Almost 70% less tourists arrived in Bulgaria in August 2020

    Almost 70% less tourists arrived in Bulgaria in August 2020

    In August 2020, the number of arrivals of visitors from abroad to Bulgaria was 747.1 thousand or by 67.9% less in comparison with August 2019.

    A collapse in all trips purposes was registered:

    • holiday and recreation – by 81.6%,
    • professional – by 60.6%,
    • others (including as guest and passing transit) – by 47.6%.

    Transit passes through the country were 50.4% (376.4 thousand) of all visits of foreigners to Bulgaria.

    The share of visits of ЕU citizens was 63.1% of the total number of foreigners’ visits to Bulgaria in August 2020 or by 67.4% less in comparison with the same month of the previous year.

    A drop in the visits of citizens from all observed countries was registered. The visits of foreigners in the group ”Other European countries” decreased by 64.1%.

    In August 2020, during the continuing epidemic situation in the country, the number of the trips of Bulgarian residents abroad was 470.9 thousand, or by 37.7% under the registered in August 2019.

  • In June, only 6.3% of total tourists in Poland were foreigners

    In June, only 6.3% of total tourists in Poland were foreigners

    In June this year, 1.3 million tourists were accommodated in tourist accommodation establishments in Poland and 3.6 million overnight stays were provided for them.

    Compared to June 2019, this was lower by 63.6% and 61.1% respectively.

    In the total number of tourists accommodated, domestic tourists accounted for 93.7% (1.2 million) and the foreign ones for 6.3% (0.1 million).

    Compared to June 2019, this was lower by 57.2% and 88.6% respectively.

    The tourist accommodation establishments were most popular among guests from Germany,
    who constituted 45.3% of all foreign tourists. There were also many people from Ukraine
    (10.9%).

    A decrease in the number of tourists was also recorded in July 2020, compared to the corresponding month of the previous year. The number of persons accommodated was lower
    by about 34.7%, according to estimates.

  • Bulgaria: 61.9% less nights spent in accommodation establishments in July

    Bulgaria: 61.9% less nights spent in accommodation establishments in July

    In July 2020, only 2.768 accommodation establishments with more than 10 bed-places were open in Bulgaria, says the National statistical institute.

    The total number of rooms in use was 112.9 thousand and the bed-places were 251.4 thousand.

    In comparison with July 2019, the total number of accommodation establishments (opened during the period) decreased by 18.4%, and the bed-places in use by 22.5%.

    The total number of nights spent in all accommodation establishments registered in July 2020 was 2.265,9 thousand, by 61.9% less in comparison with the same month of the previous year.

    The total revenues from nights spent in July 2020 reached 122.4 million BGN, 64.6% less compared to July 2019.

  • Hungary: 75% less nights spent by international tourists in July 2020

    Hungary: 75% less nights spent by international tourists in July 2020

    In July 2020, as a result of the coronavirus epidemic, international tourists spent 75% and domestic tourists 18% fewer tourism nights in commercial accommodation establishments (hotels, boarding houses, camping sites, bungalow complexes and community hostels) compared to the same period of the previous year.

    82% of all tourism nights were spent by domestic guests.

    Total gross sales revenues declined by 41% at current prices in commercial accommodation establishments.

    Foreign arrivals fell by 76%

    The number of foreign arrivals and tourism nights fell by 76% and 75% respectively, with 166 thousand guests spending 478 thousand tourism nights in accommodation establishments.

    Most guests stayed in hotels or camping sites. The number of hotel nights fell to almost a fifth.

    57-60% declines were seen in camping sites, boarding houses and bungalow complexes, and a 91% fall in community hostels. Budapest recorded the largest, 88%, downturn.

    Domestic guests fell by 12%

    758 thousand domestic guests (12% decrease) spent 2.1 thousand tourism nights (18% decrease). Six out of ten nights were spent in hotels, where the rate of decline was 8.6%.

    Unlike hotels, boarding houses registered 2.5% more nights. The number of campsite arrivals was at two thirds of their last July level. Lake Balaton was the most popular region.

  • The number of nights spent in Austria decreased by 17.4% in July

    The number of nights spent in Austria decreased by 17.4% in July

    In Austria, the number of nights spent in July 2020 decreased by 17.4% to 15.50 million, as preliminary results from Statistics Austria show.

    While the number of nights spent by non-resident guests fell by 28.7% to 9.93 million, that of resident guests rose by 15.2% to the highest value ever recorded for the second most important month of the summer season (5.57 million).

    Apart from the increase in nights spent by residents, the relatively small decline in German nights spent by 4.3% to 6.73 million is remarkable in view of the COVID-19 crisis.

    The overall decrease in nights spent in July is mainly due to the absence of guests from other important countries of origin, including the Netherlands (-21.7%), Belgium (-30.3%), the Czech Republic (-28.1%), Poland (-27.8%), Hungary (-43.5%), France (-55.7%) and Italy (-66.4%).

    Nights spent by tourists from the USA, Sweden and Russia even fell by more than 90%.

    Arrivals in accommodation establishments also decreased by 26.6% to 3.95 million, with the number of non-resident guests falling by 40.9% and that of resident guests rising by 9.4%.

    High declines in Vienna, increases of nights spent in Burgenland, Styria and Carinthia

    With -73.3%, the decline of nights spent in the federal capital Vienna was most pronounced in July. Declines were also registered in Lower Austria (-22.0%), Upper Austria (-16.7%), Salzburg (-21.5%), Tyrol (-14.3%) and Vorarlberg (-10.8%).

    By contrast, the July result developed positively in the federal states of Burgenland (+4.1%), Styria (+2.0%) and Carinthia (+0.1%), with nights spent by domestic guests contributing to this growth (+19.7%, +22.8% and +35.6%, respectively).

    The development of nights spent by foreign guests was negative in all federal states.

  • The average price per hotel room in Athens crash under €100 per night

    The average price per hotel room in Athens crash under €100 per night

    The average price per hotel room in Athens was €78.95 in January-July 2020, from €105.57 in the same period last year, shows ekathimerini.com

    In July, it decreased even more at €69.49, from €121.32 a year ago.

    Earnings per available room fell 62% this year, to €30.99, from €81.56 in January-July 2019. In July 2020, earnings were down 76.7%, from €108.69 in 2019 to €25.36 this year.

    Data was provided by the Athens, Attica and Saronic Gulf Hoteliers’ Association and GBR Consulting.

  • Greece: Travel receipts fell by 97.5% in June 2020

    Greece: Travel receipts fell by 97.5% in June 2020

    Travel receipts in June 2020 fell by 97.5% to €64 million, from €2,558 million in June 2019, while travel payments also decreased by 81.3% (June 2020: €36 million, June 2019: €195 million).

    The fall in travel receipts resulted from a 93.8% decline in inbound traveller flows and a 58.7% decrease in average expenditure per trip.

    Net receipts from travel services offset 2.1% of the goods deficit and accounted for 9.2% of total net receipts from services.

    In January-June 2020, the number of inbound visitors fell by 76.9% to 2,178 thousand (January-June 2019: 9,407 thousand).

    Specifically, visitor flows through airports declined by 84.6% and visitor flows through road border-crossing points fell by 55.4%.

    In the period under review, visitors from within the EU27 dropped by 78.6% year-on-year to 1,131 thousand, while visitors from outside the EU27 decreased by 74.7% to 1,046 thousand.

    The number of visitors from within the euro area fell by 85.5%, while visitors from non-euro area EU27 countries dropped by 64.4%.

    Specifically, the number of visitors from Germany fell by 89.1% to 148 thousand, while visitors from France decreased by 93.4% to 35 thousand.

    Turning to non-EU27 countries, the number of visitors from the United Kingdom fell by 89.4% to 117 thousand, while visitors from the United States dropped by 79.6% to 86 thousand and visitors from Russia decreased by 85.8% to 22 thousand.

  • Accommodation establishments in Slovakia continued the drop in June

    Accommodation establishments in Slovakia continued the drop in June

    In June 2020, accommodation establishments in Slovakia continued to face drop in attendance, the number of guests dropped by more than 68 % year-on-year, number of foreigners by up to 86 %.

    In June 2020, 193.468 persons were accommodated in tourism establishments in the SR, which was by five time more visitors than in May 2020, however, attendance significantly lagged behind the situation in June 2019.

    The number of guests was lower by 68,3 %, year-on-year. The visitors spent 579.610 nights in the establishments which was a lower number by 63,2 %, compared with June 2019.

    The visitors in the whole SR were in particular, domestic visitors, for the third consecutive month, in June their number represented 82,5 % of the total number of accommodated.

    There is still only minimal attendance of foreigners, in hotels, boarding houses and other accommodation establishments only 33,8 thous. foreign visitors were registered. In the corresponding period last year, there were 242,4 thous. foreign visitors.

    Among the regions of Slovakia, the most significant year-on-year decrease of guests was recorded in the region of Bratislava by 82,8 %. For a long time, foreigners make up the majority of visitors, whose number was lower by more than 90 %.

    The most visited regions of Slovakia- Žilina and Prešov regions- recorded a year-on-year drop in the number of the accommodated persons approximately by 60 %.

    In June, on average, visitors spent 3 nights in accommodation establishments in the SR, of which domestic visitors 3,1 and foreign visitors 2,3 nights.