European cities have seen a surge in year-on-year demand for the Christmas period, according to hotel booking data from RateGain.
The travel and hotel software company found that Paris and London continue to top the list of popular European city breaks for the festive season, with bookings up 22 per cent and 31 per cent respectively.
Spanish cities lead the growth in hotel bookings for the period this year, with Madrid up by 75 per cent and Barcelona 46 per cent placing them in third and fourth spot in RateGain’s list of top destinations.
Italian capital Rome ranks fifth, with a 49 per cent increase in bookings. Warsaw, in Poland, has seen a 51 per cent rise.
RateGain’s data covers stays booked from December 20 to January 4.
It indicates a shift in trends, with travellers booking further in advance (almost three months ahead) and typically opting for longer stays.
Of the bookings analysed, 18% are for 3-4 days, 22% for 7-10 days, and 29% for more than 10 days.
International arrivals grew by 42 per cent compared to the same period last year, while long-haul destinations fell by 62%, suggesting a shift toward closer-to-home destinations among Europeans.
Fritz Müller, senior vice president of revenue and head of Europe at RateGain, said: “This shift in trend can be explained by a combination of different factors.
“First of all, economic pressure caused by inflation and geopolitical instability in some long-haul destinations are leading many travellers to prioritise closer and more predictable destinations.
“Added to this is the effort made by European cities to strengthen their cultural and leisure offerings during the Christmas season, positioning themselves as safe, accessible alternatives with high added value.
“The result is clear: travellers are seeking enriching experiences without straying too far, and European capitals are meeting that demand better than ever.”
