Panorama on tourism.
Date: 2008-09-19
Institutions: Eurostat
Subjects: EU Member State, hotel industry, tourism, tourism statistics, travel

Panorama_tourism_2007_Preface_Contents.qxp  17/07/2008  10:27  Page 1

S t a t i s t i c a l   b o o k s

Panorama on tourism

2008 edition

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Panorama_tourism_2007_Preface_Contents.qxp  17/07/2008  10:27  Page 1

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Panorama_tourism_2007_Preface_Contents.qxp  17/07/2008  10:27  Page 2

Panorama_tourism_2007_Preface_Contents.qxp  17/07/2008  10:27  Page I

CCONTENTS

1. TTHE TTOURISM SSECTOR IIN EEUROPE: MMAIN FFEATURES  .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..3
Recent trends, 2000-2006  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Tourism in Europe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Inbound tourism  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Tourism receipts and expenditure  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Leading generators of international tourism  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Leading destinations of international tourism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Key drivers  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

1.1
1.1.1 
1.1.2 
1.1.3 
1.1.4 
1.1.5
1.2  

2. TTOURIST AACCOMMODATION  .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..21

3. TTHE TRAVEL PPATTERNS OF EUROPEAN TOURISTS  .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..31

4.1 
4.2 

4. CCOUNTRY DDESCRIPTION  .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..43
Introduction  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43
Tourism performance in the EU-27 area in 2000 and 2006:
country profiles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44
4.2.1 
Belgium  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45
4.2.2 
Bulgaria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46
4.2.3 
Czech Republic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47
4.2.4 
Denmark  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48
4.2.5 
Germany  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49
4.2.6 
Estonia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50
4.2.7
Ireland  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51
4.2.8 
Greece  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52
4.2.9
Spain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53
4.2.10 
France  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54
Italy  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55
4.2.11 
4.2.12  Cyprus  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56
Latvia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57
4.2.13 
4.2.14
Lithuania  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58
Luxembourg  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59
4.2.15 
4.2.16 Hungary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60
4.2.17 Malta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61
The Netherlands  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62
4.2.18
Austria  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63
4.2.19
Poland  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64
4.2.20
Portugal  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65
4.2.21
Romania  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66
4.2.22
Slovenia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67
4.2.23
Slovakia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68
4.2.24
Finland  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69
4.2.25
4.2.26
Sweden  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70
4.2.27 United Kingdom  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71

5. TTECHNICAL NNOTES .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..75
General information  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75
Terms and definitions  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75
Symbols and abbreviations  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .78
Data sources  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .79
List of tables  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80
List of graphs  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .81
List of maps  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .81

5.1
5.2
5.3 
5.4
5.5
5.6
5.7

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I

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AACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This publication has been produced by the Information Society and Tourism Statistics Unit (F-6) of Eurostat, under the
Head of Unit, Mr Micha l  Skaliotis.

i

Coordinator

Ulrich Spörel (Eurostat, Unit F-6)

Production

Data processing, statistical analysis, design and desktop publishing for this pocketbook has been carried out by the fol-
lowing  team  at  Artemis  Information  Management  S.A.  together  with  consultants  from  CISET  (International  Center  of
Studies on the Tourist Economy).

Mario Colantonio (Artemis Informatiom Management S.A.)
Christiane Gengler (Artemis Informatiom Management S.A.)
Mara Manente (CISET)
Valeria Minghetti (CISET)
Volker Stabernak (Artemis Informatiom Management S.A.)

Data eextraction

Date of data extraction: 29 February 2008

II

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CHAPTER 1 - THE TOURISM SECTOR IN EUROPE
MAIN FEATURES

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TTHHEE TTOOUURRIISSMM SSEECCTTOORR IINN EEUURROOPPEE:: MMAAIINN FFEEAATTUURREESS

1. TTHE TOURISM SSECTOR IN EUROPE: MMAIN FEATURES

1.1 RRecent ttrends, 22000-22006

Europe  is  the  most  important  tourism  region,  both  as  a
destination and as a source. In spite of the steady fall in its
market share over the last ten years, as a consequence of
the  dramatic  growth  of  very  dynamic  regions  like  Asia
(especially  South  Asia),  Europe’s  tourism  flows  still
increased in absolute terms from 1995 to 2000 and then
fluctuated  in  the  following  six  years.  Europe  nonetheless
continues  to  play  a  central  role  in  the  global  tourism
market.

Looking  within  Europe,  however,  shows  a  different  trend
between western and southern countries and northern and

1.1.1 TTourism iin EEurope 

The number of tourism nights spent by residents and non-
residents  is  the  major  indicator  of  the  development  of
tourism  (Figure  1.1).  The  two  groups  of  countries
considered, the EU-27 and the EU-15, showed an overall
increase in the period from 2000 to 2006 of +1.3% and
+1.1%  respectively  on  average  each  year.  However,  the
general picture is two-sided. Between 2000 and 2003 each
of  the  two  groups  recorded  a  small  but  steady  decrease
each year, with the absolute number of nights falling from
2 146  million  to  2  116  million  in  the  EU-27  and  from
1 967 million to 1 935 million in the EU-15. Between 2003

Figure 1.1 - Evolution of nights spent, 2000 to 2006 (million)

eastern Europe over the period analysed. The first group of
countries still lead the market, but have generally seen a fall
in  international  demand.  The  second  group,  on  the  other
hand, has shown a significant growth in both incoming and
outgoing flows, much of it to and from the rest of Europe.

This  section  discusses  the  overall  trends  in  tourism  in
Europe, in terms of flows and economic transactions.

1

and 2006 both groups showed a recovery, with an average
growth of +2.9% each year. In 2004, the total number of
nights in the EU-27 surpassed the value recorded in 2000.
In the EU-15, the same happened in 2005, meaning that
the  recovery  in  the  EU-27  was  led  by  the  new  Member
States. 

During the whole period, the "old" Member States’ share in
total nights decreased only slightly whereas in general the
new  Member  States  showed  the  highest  growth  rates,
especially in the years 2004, 2005 and 2006.

Note: EU-27 includes estimates for RO for the period 2002 to 2005.

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TTHHEE TTOOUURRIISSMM SSEECCTTOORR IINN EEUURROOPPEE:: MMAAIINN FFEEAATTUURREESS

In  2006,  hotels  and  similar  establishments  hosted  about
1 525 million nights in the EU-27 area (66% of total nights
in  all  collective  accommodation  establishments),  with  an
average  growth  rate  of  +1.1%  between  2000  and  2006
(Table 1.1). About 34% of tourist nights were spent in other
collective accommodation, which are composed of 15.5%
in tourist campsites, 8.6% in holiday dwellings and 9.8% in
other  collective  accommodation  not  elsewhere  classified
(n.e.c.).  Amongst  these  three  groups  of  non-hotel
establishments,  other  collective  accommodation  (n.e.c.)
recorded the highest increase in nights between 2000 and
2006  (+2.6%  on  average  each  year),  followed  by
campsites 
types  of
accommodation,  holiday  dwellings  stagnated  over  the
same period (-0.3% on average each year).

(+1.8%).  Unlike 

these 

two 

Table 1.1 - Tourist nights by type of accommodation in the
EU-27, 2006

1

OOtthheerr ccoolllleeccttiivvee aaccccoommmmooddaattiioonn

779 509

33.8

TTyyppee ooff aaccccoommmmooddaattiioonn

TToottaall

HHootteellss

- TToouurriisstt ccaammppssiitteess11

- HHoolliiddaayy ddwweelllliinnggss22

11 000000 
nniigghhttss

SShhaarree
ooff ttoottaall

AAvveerraaggee aannnnuuaall
ggrroowwtthh rraattee 
22000000-22000066

2 304 499 100.0

1 524 990

66.2

356 564

15.5

197 074

8.6

9.8

1.2

1.1

1.4

1.8

-0.3

2.6

- OOtthheerr ccoolllleeccttiivvee aaccccoommmmooddaattiioonn nn..ee..cc..

225 871

1) No data available for MT. 2) No data available for IE, EL, FR, MT, PT, RO and UK. 

Looking at the distribution of tourist nights by country (Table
1.2), in 2006, five countries (Spain, Italy, Germany, France
and the United Kingdom) together accounted for 72.0% of
total nights in the EU-27. All new Member States together
recorded less than ten percent of the EU-27 total, with the
highest values registered for Poland (2.2%) and the Czech
Republic (1.8%). 

Although  lower  in  absolute  terms,  tourist  nights  spent  in
Bulgaria and the Baltic States recorded the highest growth
between  2000  and  2006  (Bulgaria  +12.5%  on  average
each year, Estonia +17.7%, Latvia and Lithuania +13.1%).
Other  European  countries  where  the  average  annual
increase in nights was higher than the EU-27 average were
Iceland  (+5.6%),  Croatia  (+3.2%),  Sweden  (+3.1%),
Germany (+2.7%), Slovenia (+2.3%), Ireland, Finland and
Norway (+2.1% each), Spain (+1.6%), Portugal (+1.4%),
Denmark,  Italy  and  Austria  (+1.3%  each).  On  the  other
hand, a decline in nights was recorded in Cyprus (-3.1% on
average each year), Liechtenstein (-1.5%), Greece (-1.2%),
the  Czech  Republic  (-1.1%),  the  United  Kingdom  (-1.0%)
and Hungary (-0.6%). 

Table  1.2  -  Tourist  nights  in  European  countries, 
2006 (1 000)

NNiigghhttss ssppeenntt
22000066 ((11 000000))

%% sshhaarree iinn 
EEUU-2277

AAvveerraaggee aannnnuuaall ggrroowwtthh
rraattee 22000000-22000066

EEUU-2277

2 304 499

100.0

BBEE

BBGG

CCZZ 

DDKK

DDEE

EEEE

IIEE

EELL

EESS

FFRR

IITT

CCYY

LLVV

LLTT

LLUU

HHUU

MMTT

NNLL

AATT

PPLL

PPTT

RROO

SSII

SSKK 

FFII

SSEE

UUKK

HHRR

MMKK11

TTRR

IISS

LLII

NNOO

CCHH

29 371

17 355

41 448

27 267

351 224

4 543

33 655

57 797

379 276

297 482

366 764

14 438

3 114

2 936

2 611

19 652

7 407

83 943

98 130

51 235

45 521

18 992

7 448

11 012

18 168

47 697

266 013

37 345

:

:

2 411

170

27 489

:

1.3

0.8

1.8

1.2

15.2

0.2

1.5

2.5

16.4

12.9

15.9

0.6

0.1

0.1

0.1

0.9

0.3

3.6

4.3

2.2

2.0

0.8

0.3

0.5

0.8

2.1

11.5

1.6

:

:

0.1

0.0

1.2

:

1.2

0.1

12.5

-1.1

1.3

2.7

17.7

2.1

-1.2

1.6

0.7

1.3

-3.1

13.1

13.1

0.1

-0.6

:

0.5

1.3

0.8

1.4

1.2

2.3

0.9

2.1

3.1

-1.0

3.2

:

:

5.6

-1.5

2.1

:

1) Provisional code which does not prejudge in any way the definitive nomenclature for this
country, which will be agreed following the conclusion of negotiations currently taking place
on this subject at the United Nations.

Scandinavian  countries  performed  well,  together  with
Slovenia,  Ireland,  the  countries  of  the  Iberian  Peninsula,
Italy  and  Austria  between  2000  and  2006.  In  Sweden,
Finland, Slovenia, Italy and Austria the increase was driven
by  international  tourism,  in  Norway,  Ireland,  Spain  and
Portugal  by  domestic  tourism.  The  decrease  in  Greece,
Cyprus  and  Hungary  was  mainly  due  to  a  fall  in  non-
resident tourist nights (Map 1.1).

4

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TTHHEE TTOOUURRIISSMM SSEECCTTOORR IINN EEUURROOPPEE:: MMAAIINN FFEEAATTUURREESS

Map 1.1 - Evolution of tourist nights in collective accommodation between 2000 and 2006 (%)

Average annual growth rate
2000/2006

< 0.0

0.0 - < 2.5

2.5 - < 5.0

= > 5.0

Data not available

Data source: Eurostat 
© EuroGeographics Association, for the administrative boundaries
Cartography: Eurostat - GISCO, 08/2008

0

600 km

1

Malta

0

10

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TTHHEE TTOOUURRIISSMM SSEECCTTOORR IINN EEUURROOPPEE:: MMAAIINN FFEEAATTUURREESS

Map 1.2 - Tourism intensity in European countries, 2006

1

Tourist nights per resident

< 3.0

3.0 - < 5.0

5.0 - < 10.0

= > 10.0

Data not available

Data source: Eurostat 
© EuroGeographics Association, for the administrative boundaries
Cartography: Eurostat - GISCO, 08/2008

0

600 km

Malta

0

10

6

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TTHHEE TTOOUURRIISSMM SSEECCTTOORR IINN EEUURROOPPEE:: MMAAIINN FFEEAATTUURREESS

Looking at the intensity of tourism in European countries in
2006 (Map 1.2), measured by the number of total nights
per  resident,  values  above  7.5  are  recorded  by  countries
where tourism demand is very high in relation to population
(such as the islands of Cyprus and Malta) and where long-
stay tourism is prevalent (e.g. holiday tourism either at the
beaches  or  in  the  mountains).  In  Cyprus  and  Malta,  the
nights/resident  ratio  in  2006  was  18.8  and  18.3
respectively, in Austria 11.9. On the other hand, very low
values  were  recorded  in  emerging  tourism  destinations
(new  Member  States)  and  in  countries  where  short-stay
tourism  prevails  (city  breaks,  business  tourism,  etc.).  For
example,  the  nights/resident  ratio  was  below  3.0  in
Belgium,  Bulgaria,  Hungary,  Slovakia,  Latvia,  Poland,
Lithuania  and  Romania.  In  the  most  popular  tourism
destinations in Europe, the figures were 8.7 in Spain, 6.2 in
Italy,  5.2  in  Greece  and  4.7  in  France.  These  differences
are the result of a varied population size, on the one hand,
and preferences of the tourists, on the other.

Comparing  2006  and  2000  data  (Table  1.3),  Cyprus
showed the strongest decrease in the number of nights per
resident  over  the  whole  period  (from  25.2  to  18.8),
followed by Liechtenstein (from 5.8 to 4.9) and the United
Kingdom  (from  4.8  to  4.4).  In  contrast,  Iceland  recorded
good growth in the same period (from 6.2 to 8.0), along
with  Croatia  (from  6.9  to  8.4),  Germany,  Austria  and
Sweden  (with  an  increase  of  between  0.6  and  0.8
percentage  points  each).  Among  the  new  Member  States,
the  highest  growth  in  tourism  intensity  was  recorded  by
Bulgaria  (from  1.0  to  2.2),  Estonia  (from  1.2  to  3.4)  and
Latvia  (from  0.6  to  1.4).  In  the  most  popular  tourism
destinations  (Spain,  France  and  Italy),  the  ratio  was
relatively stable over the period analysed.

1.1.2 IInbound ttourism 

Focusing  on  international  tourism,  Table  1.4  shows  the
evolution of nights spent by non-residents in the EU-27 and
the EU-15 from 2000 to 2006, in terms of both absolute
values and annual rates of change. With about 955 million
nights in 2006, international tourism in the EU-27 recorded
good  growth  over  the  whole  period  (+1.2%  on  average
each year), which was headed by the new Member States.
Although only accounting for about 10% of nights spent by
non-residents  in  the  EU-27,  these  countries  recorded
annual average growth of +5.3% for international tourism
between 2000 and 2006, against +0.8% in the EU-15.

Table  1.3  -  Tourism  intensity  in  European  countries  -
Tourist nights per resident, 2000 and 2006

TToouurriissmm iinntteennssiittyy

TToouurriisstt nniigghhttss ppeerr rreessiiddeenntt

22000000

22000066

EEUU-227711

EEUU-1155

BBEE

BBGG

CCZZ 

DDKK

DDEE

EEEE

IIEE

EELL

EESS

FFRR

IITT

CCYY

LLVV

LLTT

LLUU

HHUU

MMTT

NNLL

AATT

PPLL

PPTT

RROO

SSII

SSKK 

FFII

SSEE

UUKK

HHRR

MMKK22

TTRR

IISS

LLII

NNOO

CCHH

4.4

5.2

2.9

1.0

4.3

4.7

3.6

1.2

7.9

5.7

8.6

4.7

6.0

25.2

0.6

0.4

6.0

2.0

:

5.1

11.3

1.3

4.1

0.8

3.3

1.9

3.1

4.5

4.8

6.9

0.7

:

6.2

5.8

5.4

9.6

4.7

5.4

2.8

2.2

4.0

5.0

4.3

3.4

8.0

5.2

8.7

4.7

6.2

18.8

1.4

0.9

5.6

2.0

18.3

5.1

11.9

1.3

4.3

0.9

3.7

2.0

3.5

5.3

4.4

8.4

:

:

8.0

4.9

5.9

:

1)  Excludes  MT  for  2000.  2)  Provisional  code  which  does  not  prejudge  in  any  way  the
definitive  nomenclature  for  this  country,  which  will  be  agreed  following  the  conclusion  of
negotiations currently taking place on this subject at the United Nations.

Table 1.4 - Evolution of non-resident tourist nights in the EU-27, in total and by area, 2000 to 2006

NNiigghhttss ssppeenntt ooff nnoonn-rreessiiddeennttss ((11 000000))

22000000

22000011

22000022

22000033

22000044

22000055

22000066

EEUU-227711

EEUU-1155

891 931

891 427

877 963

871 733

879 703

910 221

955 303

824 531

818 624

807 578

791 666

792 706

818 259

863 224

AAnnnnuuaall cchhaannggee rraattee %%

22000000

22000011

22000022

22000033

22000044

22000055

22000066

EEUU-2277

EEUU-1155

-0.1

-0.7

-1.5

-1.3

-0.7

-2.0

0.9

0.1

3.5

3.2

5.0

5.5

MMaarrkkeett sshhaarree %%

22000000

22000011

22000022

22000033

22000044

22000055

22000066

EEUU-2277

EEUU-1155

100.0

92.4

100.0

91.8

100.0

92.0

100.0

90.8

100.0

90.1

100.0

89.9

100.0

90.4

1) Includes estimates for RO for the period 2002 to 2005.

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1

7

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Figure 1.2 - Evolution of non-resident tourist nights, 2000 to 2006 (million)

1

Note: EU-27 includes estimates for RO for the period 2002 to 2005.

Looking  at  the  annual  trend  (Table  1.4  and  Figure  1.2),
international nights in the EU-27 grew by +5.0% in 2006,
strengthening  the  recovery  shown  in  2004  and  2005
(+0.9% and 3.5%, respectively) after a three-year negative
trend.  Compared  with  the  trend  in  EU-15  non-resident
nights over the same period, it can be seen that the positive
performance of new Member States partially compensated
for  the  decline  of  international  nights  in  the  “old”  ones
between  2000  and  2004  (from  824.5  million  to  792.7
million).  From  2003  to  2004  and  from  2004  to  2005,
international tourism in the EU-15 rose at a lower rate than
in  the  EU-27  (+0.1%  versus  +0.9%  in  2004,  +3.2%
versus +3.5% in 2005). The only exception is 2006, when
EU-15  countries  performed  slightly  better  than  the  EU-27
average (+5.5% versus +5.0%).

Table  1.5  -  Non-resident  tourist  nights  by  type  of
accommodation in the EU-27, 2006

TTyyppee ooff aaccccoommmmooddaattiioonn

TToottaall

HHootteellss

11 000000 
nniigghhttss

SShhaarree ooff
ttoottaall

955 303

100.0

705 287

73.8

OOtthheerr ccoolllleeccttiivvee aaccccoommmmooddaattiioonn

250 016

26.2

- TToouurriisstt ccaammppssiitteess11

- HHoolliiddaayy ddwweelllliinnggss22

- OOtthheerr ccoolllleeccttiivvee aaccccoommmmooddaattiioonn nn..ee..cc..

50 244

1) Excludes MT. 2) Excludes IE, MT, PT and RO.

108 882

11.4

90 890

9.5

5.3

AAvveerraaggee aannnnuuaall
ggrroowwtthh rraattee 
22000000-22000066

1.2

1.3

0.2

1.3

-2.9

5.0

In 2006, 73.8% of total international tourism nights in the
EU-27  were  spent  in  hotels,  with  an  average  annual
increase of +1.3% from 2000 to 2006 (Table 1.5). Other
collective  accommodation  accounted  for  26.2%  of  these
nights, with tourist campsites and holiday dwellings showing
shares of 11.4% and 9.5% respectively. Taking into account
the  dynamics  of  non-hotel  establishments,  other  collective
accommodation n.e.c., which accounted for about 5.3% of
total international nights, recorded the highest increase in
nights between 2000 and 2006 (+5.0% on average each
year), followed by campsites and hotels (each +1.3%). On
the  other  hand,  holiday  dwellings  showed  an  average
decrease of -2.9% per year from 2000 to 2006.

Table 1.6 - Non-resident tourist nights in European
countries, 2006 (1 000)

NNiigghhttss ssppeenntt ooff nnoonn-
rreessiiddeennttss 22000066

%% sshhaarree iinn 
EEUU-2277

AAvveerraaggee aannnnuuaall ggrroowwtthh
rraattee 22000000-22000066

EEUU-2277

955 303

100.0

BBEE

BBGG

CCZZ 

DDKK

DDEE

EEEE

IIEE

EELL

EESS

FFRR

IITT

CCYY

LLVV

LLTT

LLUU

HHUU

MMTT

NNLL

AATT

PPLL

PPTT

RROO

SSII

SSKK 

FFII

SSEE

UUKK

HHRR

MMKK11

TTRR

IISS

LLII

NNOO

CCHH

16 039

11 945

20 090

9 453

52 947

3 020

21 652

43 055

224 518

105 865

156 861

13 310

1 872

1 514

2 400

10 046

7 092

26 887

70 017

10 555

26 842

3 242

4 332

5 058

5 004

10 943

90 741

32 858

:

:

1 688

155

7 921

:

1.7

1.2

2.1

1.0

5.5

0.3

2.3

4.5

23.4

11.1

16.4

1.4

0.2

0.2

0.3

1.0

0.7

2.8

7.3

1.1

2.8

0.3

0.5

0.5

0.5

1.1

9.5

3.4

:

:

0.2

0.0

0.8

:

1.2

0.5

15.0

4.3

-0.9

3.8

15.8

0.9

-1.5

-0.7

-0.6

1.9

-3.8

17.9

15.6

0.1

-1.8

:

0.6

1.4

7.4

0.7

7.1

4.8

5.3

3.5

4.0

3.5

3.6

:

:

6.7

-1.3

1.0

:

1) Provisional code which does not prejudge in any way the definitive nomenclature for this
country, which will be agreed following the conclusion of negotiations currently taking place
on this subject at the United Nations.

8

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TTHHEE TTOOUURRIISSMM SSEECCTTOORR IINN EEUURROOPPEE:: MMAAIINN FFEEAATTUURREESS

Looking at the distribution of non-resident tourist nights by
country  (Table  1.6),  in  2006,  only  three  countries  (Spain,
Italy and France) together accounted for slightly more than
half  (50.9%)  of  total  international  nights  in  the  EU-27.
Adding  the  United  Kingdom  and  Austria  to  the  previous
country  group,  more  than  two-thirds  (67.7)  of  all  non-
resident tourist nights in the EU-27 are recorded for these
five  countries.  Although  lower  in  absolute  terms,  Bulgaria
and the Baltic States recorded the highest average annual
growth  rates  between  2000  and  2006  (Latvia  +17.9%,
Estonia  +15.8%,  Lithuania  +15.6%,  Bulgaria  +15.0%).
Other  countries  where  the  average  annual  increase  in

1.1.3 TTourism rreceipts aand eexpenditure 

nights  spent  by  non-residents  was  higher  than  the  EU-27
average were Poland (+7.4%), Romania (+7.1%), Iceland
(+6.7%), Slovakia (+5.3%), Slovenia (+4.8%), the Czech
Republic (+4.3%) and, of the "old" Member States, Sweden
(+4.0%), Germany (+3.8%) and Finland (+3.5%). With the
exception  of  Italy  (+1.9%)  the  other  popular  tourist
destinations  recorded  a  decline  in  the  number  of  non-
resident nights (Greece -1.5% on average each year, Spain
-0.7%, France -0.6%). Negative values were also recorded
by Cyprus (-3.8% on average each year), Hungary (-1.8%),
Liechtenstein (-1.3%) and Denmark (-0.9%).

1

Table 1.7 - Evolution of tourism receipts in the EU-27, in total and by area, 2000 to 2006

RReecceeiippttss ((EEUURR bbiilllliioonn))

22000000

22000011

22000022

22000033

22000044

22000055

22000066

EEUU-227711

EEUU-115511

215.3

194.8

217.2

196.3

218.1

199.1

213.5

195.5

224.7

205.1

235.3

213.5

243.2

219.5

AAnnnnuuaall cchhaannggee rraattee %%

22000000

22000011

22000022

22000033

22000044

22000055

22000066

EEUU-2277

EEUU-1155

0.9

0.7

0.4

1.4

-2.1

-1.8

5.2

4.9

4.7

4.1

3.3

2.8

MMaarrkkeett sshhaarree %%

22000000

22000011

22000022

22000033

22000044

22000055

22000066

EEUU-2277

EEUU-1155

1) Excludes EL for 2006.

100.0

90.5

100.0

90.3

100.0

91.3

100.0

91.6

100.0

91.3

100.0

90.7

100.0

90.2

Turning  to  the  economic  transactions  generated  by
international  tourism,  tourism  receipts  in  the  EU-27
performed well from 2000 to 2006 (+2.0% on average per
year - Table 1.7). 

values, was seen in the new Member States, whose receipts
rose by +8.6% in 2004, +11.5% in 2005 and +8.7% in
2006, compensating for the losses of -9.3% in 2002 and 
-5.3% in 2003.

The EU-27 area as a whole earned about EUR 243.2 bn in
2006, an increase of +3.3% in comparison to the previous
year.  This  growth  followed  the  good  results  of  2004  and
2005  (+5.2%  and  +4.7%  respectively),  offsetting  the
decrease  in  2003  (-2.1%),  which  was  mainly  due  to
increased pressure on prices along with the strength of the
euro. The EU-15 area, which accounted for about 90% of
total  international  receipts  in  the  EU-27  area  as  a  whole,
showed the same trend, recording EUR 219.5 bn in 2006
(+2.8%  in  comparison  to  2005).  However,  the  best
performance of the last two years, albeit at lower absolute

Tourism  expenditure  of  European  residents  (Table  1.8),
unlike  receipts,  showed  steady  growth  throughout  the
period  analysed,  with  an  average  annual  growth  rate  of
+2.4% between 2000 and 2006. 

Expenditure by tourists from EU-27 countries on their trips
abroad  amounted  to  EUR  244.4  bn  in  2006  (+2.0%  in
comparison  to  2005),  consolidating  the  steady  increase
recorded  in  2005  (+6.0%)  and  2004  (+3.6%),  after
relative stability in 2002 and 2003. 

Table 1.8 - Evolution of tourism expenditure in the EU-27, in total and by area, 2000 to 2006

EExxppeennddiittuurree ((EEUURR bbiilllliioonn))

22000000

22000011

22000022

22000033

22000044

22000055

22000066

EEUU-227711

EEUU-115511

211.4

201.2

216.3

205.1

218.0

207.1

218.1

207.6

226.0

213.9

239.5

226.0

244.4

228.9

AAnnnnuuaall cchhaannggee rraattee %%

22000000

22000011

22000022

22000033

22000044

22000055

22000066

EEUU-2277

EEUU-1155

2.3

1.9

0.8

1.0

0.0

0.3

3.6

3.0

6.0

5.7

2.0

1.3

MMaarrkkeett sshhaarree %%

22000000

22000011

22000022

22000033

22000044

22000055

22000066

EEUU-2277

EEUU-1155

1) Excludes EL for 2006.

100.0

95.2

100.0

94.8

100.0

95.0

100.0

95.2

100.0

94.6

100.0

94.4

100.0

93.7

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TTHHEE TTOOUURRIISSMM SSEECCTTOORR IINN EEUURROOPPEE:: MMAAIINN FFEEAATTUURREESS

From  2004  to  2006,  the  good  performance  was  mainly
driven  by  the  boom  in  outbound  tourism  from  the  new
Member States. Expenditure by residents in these countries
increased  by  +15.1%  in  2004,  +11.7%  in  2005  and
+14.4%  in  2006.  Expenditure  by  residents  in  EU-15
countries,  which  accounted  for  about  94%  of  the  total
expenditure of the EU-27 area as a whole, grew by +3.0%,
+5.7% and +1.3% respectively in those same years. 

1

An  analysis  of  economic  transactions  to  and  from  each
major area of Europe reveals those areas where the tourism
balance  is  positive  (i.e.  tourism  receipts  exceeds  tourism
expenditure)  compared  with  those  where  the  balance  is

negative (i.e. tourism expenditure exceeds tourism receipts).
Looking at the EU-27 as a whole, the balance was negative
from  2003  to  2006  (Figure  1.3).  In  the  EU-15  countries,
which  accounted  for  about  90%  of  international  receipts
and around 94% of expenditure in 2006, the balance was
negative  over  the  entire  period  examined.  On  the  other
hand,  the  new  Member  States  recorded  a  high  volume  of
receipts  (about  1.4  times  higher  than  expenditure),
generated  by  inbound  tourism.  The  balance  between
receipts  and  expenditure  in  these  countries  was  strongly
positive,  but  it  showed  a  slight  decrease  from  2000  to
2006, due to the dynamic growth of outbound tourism. 

Figure 1.3 - Balance of tourism receipts and expenditure in the EU-27, 2000 to 2006 (EUR billion)

Note: Excludes EL for 2006.

1.1.4 LLeading ggenerators oof iinternational ttourism

Table 1.9 - Top 10 generators of outbound tourism in the
EU-27, 2000 and 2006 (nights spent)

RRaannkk

CCoouunnttrryy

NNiigghhttss ssppeenntt -
oouuttbboouunndd
((11 000000))

AAvveerraaggee
aannnnuuaall
ggrroowwtthh
rraattee %%
22000000-
22000066

MMaarrkkeett sshhaarree
((%%))

22000000 22000066

22000000

22000066

22000000

22000066

TTOOTTAALL EEUU-2277 1 924 547 2 247 512

2.6 100.0 100.0

TToottaall ttoopp 1100

1 862 598 2 019 026

1.3

96.8

89.8

4 NNLL

126 417

139 313

1

2

3

DDEE

UUKK

FFRR

5

6

7

8

9

IITT

EESS

BBEE

AATT

PPLL11

1

2

3

4

5

8

6

7

9

908 925

748 809

-3.2

47.2

33.4

386 258

568 904

141 136

151 044

20.1

25.4

6.7

1.1

1.6

3.1

7.3

6.6

4.9

1.9

4.1

2.9

:

6.7

6.2

5.1

3.2

3.1

2.6

2.4

1.9

94 915

113 836

36 275

72 232

12.2

79 767

69 853

55 730

58 285

:

53 777

-2.2

0.7

:

10 DDKK

33 175

42 973

4.4

1.7

1) For 2000 no data available.

Turning to the most important countries of origin, Table 1.9
presents the leading generators of international tourism in
the EU-27 in 2000 and 2006, in terms of nights spent on
outbound trips of at least one night. The ranking is based
on the data for 2006. A comparison with 2000 shows how
the  ranking  has  changed  over  time  and  reveals  which
countries have strengthened their position and which have
lost ground over the last six years.

In  terms  of  nights  spent  abroad,  the  top  10  countries  of
origin accounted for more than 2.0 billion nights in 2006,
which  corresponds  to  about  90%  of  total  nights  abroad
within the EU-27. This resulted in average annual growth in
the top 10 countries between 2000 and 2006 of +1.4%,
which is lower than the EU-27 average (+2.6% per year).
This  means  that  the  increase  of  outbound  tourism  from
other  EU  countries,  and  particular  from  the  new  Member
States, was growing at a higher rate. 

Germany  ranked  first,  with  about  749  million  nights  in
2006 (33.3% of the EU-27 total), as against 909 million in
2000.  This  is  an  average  annual  decrease  of  -3.2%.  The
United Kingdom held second place with strong expansion
in the number of nights abroad (+6.7% on average each
year).

10

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Overnight  stays  rose  from  386  million  in  2000  to  569
million in 2006 (25.3% of the EU-27 total). France came
third,  some  way  behind,  with  151  million  nights  spent  on
outbound  trips  in  2006  (6.7%  of  the  EU-27  total),  as
against 141 million in 2000. That is an increase of +1.1%
on average per year. The Netherlands ranked fourth, with
139 million nights in 2006, which represented an average
annual growth of +1.6% since 2000 and a market share
of  6.2%  in  2006.    Italy  and  Spain  followed,  showing  a
higher  average  yearly  growth  of  nights  abroad  in
comparison with the top 10 average (+3.1% and +12.2%
respectively).  Spain  in  particular  climbed  to  sixth  in  2006
and, among the "old" Member States, recorded the highest
growth  of  outbound  tourism,  with  nights  abroad  doubling
between 2000 and 2006 (from 36 million to 72 million).
Belgium  ranked  seventh  in  2006,  showing  a  decrease  in
nights  spent  abroad,  from  79.8  million  to  69.9  million 
(-2.2% on average each year), accounting for 3.1% market
share in 2006. Austria followed, with 58.3 million nights in
2006  (+0.7%  on  average  each  year  since  2000)  and  a
market share of +2.6%. In 2006, Poland climbed to ninth
spot with about 53.8 million nights spent abroad (2.4% of
the EU-27 total). 

(from  88.6%  in  2000  to  87.4%  in  2006),  meaning  that
expenditure by visitors from other EU countries was growing
at a higher rate. 

Germany  ranked  first,  with  nearly  EUR  59.6  bn  in  2006
(24.1% of the EU-27 total), against EUR 57.4 bn in 2000
(26.9%). The United Kingdom came second with a steady
rise in expenditure abroad (+3.2% on average each year).
Its  international  expenditure  rose  from  EUR  41.6  bn  in
2000 to EUR 50.3 bn in 2006, and its share in the EU-27
total  from  19.5%  to  20.4%.  France  held  third  place,  with
EUR 24.8 bn (10.1% of the EU-27 total), against EUR 19.2
bn in 2000 (9.0%), an increase of +4.4% on average per
year.  Italy  came  fourth,  followed  by  Belgium,  the
Netherlands  and  Spain.  It  is  interesting  to  note  that
expenditure by Spanish tourists abroad boomed. In 2006,
they spent EUR 13.3 bn (5.4% of the EU-27 total) against
6.4  bn  in  2000  (3.0%).  This  meant  an  annual  average
growth rate of +12.8%. Among the top 10 spenders, only
Austria  recorded  a  decrease  in  international  tourism
expenditure between 2000 and 2006 (from 9.2 bn to 7.4
bn, -3.6% on average each year), and fell from the seventh
to ninth in the ranking, being passed by Spain and Sweden.

1

Table 1.10 - Top 10 tourism spenders of the EU-27, 2000
and 2006 (tourism expenditure, excluding transport)

1.1.5 LLeading ddestinations oof iinternational ttourism

RRaannkk

CCoouunnttrryy

IInntteerrnnaattiioonnaall
ttoouurriissmm eexxppeennddiittuurree
((EEUURR mmiilllliioonn))

AAvveerraaggee
aannnnuuaall
ggrroowwtthh
rraattee %%
22000000-
22000066

MMaarrkkeett sshhaarree
((%%))

22000000 22000066

22000000

22000066

22000000

22000066

TTOOTTAALL EEUU-227711 213 131 246 815

2.5

100.0

100.0

TToottaall ttoopp 1100

188 760 215 633

1

2

3

4

5

DDEE

UUKK

FFRR

IITT

BBEE22

57 427

59 596

41 641

50 305

19 227

24 840

17 010

18 229

10 736

13 687

6 NNLL

13 241

13 592

2.2

0.6

3.2

4.4

1.2

6.3

0.4

7

8

9

EESS

SSEE

AATT

6 454

13 265

12.8

8 733

9 181

9 216

7 407

0.8

-3.6

1.4

10

10 DDKK

5 075

5 531

1

2

3

4

6

5

9

8

7

88.6

87.4

26.9

24.1

19.5

20.4

9.0

8.0

5.0

6.2

3.0

4.1

4.3

2.4

10.1

7.4

5.5

5.5

5.4

3.7

3.0

2.2

Table  1.11  -  Top  10  tourism  destinations  in  the  EU-27
(domestic and inbound), 2000 and 2006

RRaannkk

CCoouunnttrryy

NNiigghhttss ssppeenntt bbyy
rreessiiddeennttss aanndd nnoonn-
rreessiiddeennttss
((11 000000))

AAvveerraaggee
aannnnuuaall
ggrroowwtthh
rraattee %%
22000000-
22000066

MMaarrkkeett sshhaarree
((%%))

22000000 22000066

22000000

22000066

22000000

22000066

TTOOTTAALL EEUU-2277 2 145 658 2 304 499

1.2 100.0 100.0

TToottaall ttoopp 1100

1 871 202 1 999 562

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

1

2

3

4

5

6

EESS

IITT

DDEE

FFRR

UUKK

AATT

7 NNLL

8

9

EELL

PPLL

344 664

379 276

338 885

366 765

298 488

351 224

284 646

297 482

1.1

1.6

1.3

2.7

0.7

87.2

86.8

16.1

16.4

15.8

15.9

13.9

15.2

13.3

12.9

281 756

266 013

-1.0

13.1

11.5

90 711

98 130

81 263

83 943

1.3

0.5

62 186

57 797

-1.2

48 794

51 235

0.8

3.1

4.2

3.8

2.9

2.3

1.9

4.3

3.6

2.5

2.2

2.1

1) 2006 includes 2005 data for EL. 2) 2002 data used for 2000, average annual growth rate
2002-2006.

12

10 SSEE

39 809

47 697

Looking at the top 10 countries of origin in terms of total
international expenditure (Table 1.10), the ranking is almost
the same as for nights spent. In 2006, the leading countries
accounted  for  about  87%  of  total  expenditure  abroad  by
visitors  from  EU-27  countries.  Although  the  amount  of
money  spent  by  these  top  10  countries  increased  from
2000 to 2006 (from EUR 188.8 bn to 215.6 bn, +2.2%
on  average  each  year),  their  share  in  the  total  declined

Turning  to  the  most  important  tourism  destinations,  Table
1.11  classifies  the  top  10  countries  of  the  EU-27  area
according  to  the  total  number  of  nights  spent  by  resident
and  non-resident  tourists  in  each  country  in  2000  and
2006.  The  ranking  is  based  on  the  data  for  2006.
Compared with 2000, positions one to nine did not change
but  Sweden  joined  the  top  10,  overtaking  the  Czech
Republic. 

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TTHHEE TTOOUURRIISSMM SSEECCTTOORR IINN EEUURROOPPEE:: MMAAIINN FFEEAATTUURREESS

1

The  market  share  of  the  top  10  in  all  nights  spent  in  the 
EU-27 decreased slightly from 87.2% in 2000 to 86.8% in
2006.  Five  countries  showed  slight  increases  (Germany,
with  1.3  percentage  points,  recorded  the  highest  value,
followed  by  Spain,  Austria,  Sweden  and  Italy)  while  five
countries registered small decreases (the United Kingdom,
with  -1.6  percentage  points,  showing  the  biggest  drop,
followed by France, Greece, the Netherlands and Poland). 

Table 1.12 - Top 10 destinations of international tourism
in  the  EU-27,  2000  and  2006  (nights  spent  by  non-
residents)

RRaannkk

CCoouunnttrryy

NNiigghhttss ssppeenntt bbyy nnoonn-
rreessiiddeennttss
((11 000000))

AAvveerraaggee
aannnnuuaall
ggrroowwtthh
rraattee %%
22000000-
22000066

MMaarrkkeett sshhaarree
((%%))

22000000 22000066

22000000

22000066

22000000

22000066

TTOOTTAALL EEUU-2277 891 931 955 303

1.2

100.0

100.0

TToottaall ttoopp 1100

783 900 819 385

0.7

87.9

85.8

1

2

3

4

5

7

6

8

9

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

EESS

IITT

FFRR

UUKK

AATT

DDEE

EELL

8 NNLL

9

PPTT

233 901 224 518

-0.7

26.2

23.5

140 357 156 861

1.9

15.7

16.4

109 664 105 865

-0.6

12.3

11.1

73 816

90 741

64 469

70 017

42 420

52 947

3.5

1.4

3.8

47 024

43 055

-1.5

25 955

26 887

25 785

26 842

0.6

0.7

0.9

8.3

7.2

4.8

5.3

2.9

2.9

2.3

9.5

7.3

5.5

4.5

2.8

2.8

2.3

10

10 IIEE

20 509

21 652

Table 1.12 shows the top 10 countries of the EU-27 area
according to the number of nights spent by non-residents in
2000 and 2006. The ranking is based, as for Table 1.11,
on the data for 2006. 

In 2006, the ten leading tourism destinations accounted for
819.4  million  nights  spent  by  non–residents  in  the  EU-27
(85.8%  of  all  nights  spent  by  non-residents  in  EU-27),  as
against 783.9 million in 2000 (87.9%), an average annual
growth  rate  of  +0.7%.  Spain  was  still  the  most  popular
destination in the EU-27 area in 2006, with 224.5 million
nights, but its market share showed a decline in comparison
to  2000  (23.5%  in  2006  versus  26.2%  in  2000).  Italy
ranked  second,  with  155.9  million  nights  (+1.9%  on
average  over  the  period)  and  a  share  of  16.4%  in  the 
EU-27.  France  held  third  place  with  105.9  million  nights
(11.1%), as against 109.7 million in 2000 (12.3%), a slight
decrease  of  -0.6%  on  average  each  year.  In  2006,  the
United  Kingdom  was  fourth  with  90.7  million  inbound
nights, increasing its market share compared to 2000 (from
8.3% to 9.5%), also owing to an average annual increase
in inbound nights in the previous six years (+3.5%).

Austria ranked fifth with 70.0 million nights (64.5 million in
2000, +1.4% on average each year) and a market share
of 7.3%. The other top 10 countries were Germany (52.9
million  international  nights  in  2006),  followed  by  Greece
(43.1  million),  the  Netherlands  (26.9  million),  Portugal
(26.8  million)  and  Ireland  (21.7  million).  Among  the  last
group, the best results were recorded for Germany, where
nights  spent  by  non-residents  increased  by  +3.8%  on
average each year. In contrast, Greece showed a decrease
in  international  nights  from  2000  to  2006  (-1.5%  on
average  each  year)  and  consequently  a  reduction  in  its
market  share  over  the  period  analysed  (from  5.3%  to
4.5%).

Looking  at  international  tourism  receipts  (Table  1.13),  the
ranking changes slightly. In terms of percentage share, the
top 10 destinations are also somewhat less dominant: their
share of receipts is below their share of nights, accounting
in  2006  for  about  82.9%  of  total  receipts  in  the  EU-27
(versus  85.7%  in  2000).  This  decline  in  market  share  is
mirrored  by  growth  in  international  receipts  in  other  EU
countries. 

Table  1.13  -  Top  10  tourism  earners  in  the  EU-27,  2000
and 2006 (tourism receipts, excluding transport)

RRaannkk

CCoouunnttrryy

IInntteerrnnaattiioonnaall
ttoouurriissmm rreecceeiippttss
((EEUURR mmiilllliioonn)) 

AAvveerraaggee
aannnnuuaall
ggrroowwtthh
rraattee %%
22000000-
22000066

MMaarrkkeett sshhaarree
((%%))

22000000 22000066

22000000

22000066

22000000

22000066

TTOOTTAALL EEUU-2277 217 106 254 203

2.7

100.0

100.0

TToottaall ttoopp 1100

186 115 210 631

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

EESS

FFRR

IITT

UUKK

DDEE

AATT

EELL11

8 NNLL

9

BBEE22

36 377

40 710

32 833

36 905

28 625

30 281

22 742

26 883

22 243

26 091

12 327

13 267

10 348

11 037

8 307

9 172

7 318

9 034

11

10 SSEE

4 995

7 251

2.1

1.9

2.0

0.9

2.8

2.7

1.2

1.3

1.7

5.4

6.4

85.7

82.9

16.8

16.0

15.1

14.5

13.2

11.9

10.5

10.6

10.2

10.3

5.7

4.8

3.8

3.4

2.3

5.2

4.3

3.6

3.6

2.9

1) 2005 data used for 2006, average annual growth rate 2000-2005. 2) 2002 data used for
2000, average annual growth rate 2002-2006.

Spain ranked first, with about EUR 40.7 bn, as against EUR
36.4 bn in 2000 (+1.9% annual average growth rate). Its
market  share,  however,  declined  slightly  over  the  same
period  (from  16.8%  to  16.0%).  It  lies  ahead  of  France,
where  receipts  grew  from  EUR  32.8  to  EUR  36.9  bn,  an
increase of +2.0% on average each year. Comparing the
results for international tourism receipts, on the one hand,
with  nights  spent  in  collective  accommodation,  on  the
other, shows that the volume of receipts is also influenced
to  a  certain  extent  by  the  development  of  cross-border

12

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• Market and accessibility factors

• Technology factors

Besides cyclical trends, it is also worth looking at a number
of structural factors that influence the demand for tourism
in the medium and long term.

In 2006, the population in the EU-27 amounted to almost
493  million  people,  corresponding  to  about  114.7
inhabitants per km2. 79% of this population were living in
EU-15 countries, where the ratio is 120.5 people per km2
(Table 1.14). 

1

Table 1.14 - Population and area in the EU-27, 2006

PPooppuullaattiioonn

((11 000000))

AArreeaa11

((kkmm22))

IInnhhaabbiittaannttss ppeerr
kkmm22

EEUU-2277

EEUU-1155

492 975

4 299 342

389 555

3 231 776

114.7

120.5

1) 2004 data for UK and 2005 data for BE and BG.

The  demographic  trend  in  Europe  is  characterised  by  a
steady  growth  in  the  number  of  elderly  people  (65  years
and over), who will account for more than a fifth of the total
population  in  2020  (16.5%  in  the  EU-25  area  in  2005  -
Eurostat  Yearbook  2006-2007),  and  by  an  increase  in
singles and young couples without children. Elderly tourists
of  today  are  normally  more  interested  in  travel  than  past
generations of the same age. They are usually more active
and  have  money  and  time  available  for  travel,  including
off-season.  This  not  only  implies  a  propensity  to  spend
longer  periods  at  tourism  destinations  that  they  consider
provide  pleasant  living  conditions  (“residential  tourism”),
but  also  a  higher  holiday  frequency  per  year.  This  partly
applies  also  to  singles  and  “empty  nesters”,  i.e.  couples
whose  children  have  left  home.  Although  their  travel
decisions are affected by working time, they can plan their
holidays  more  freely  during  the  year  than  families  who
depend on school holidays.   

Comparing  different  European  sub-regions,  the  new
Member States have a younger population than the “old”
Member States. In 2005, residents up to 24 years of age
accounted  for  about  32%  of  the  total  population  on
average, as against 28% in EU-15 area (Eurostat Yearbook,
2006-2007).  Although  the  new  Member  States  are
basically  destinations  of  tourism  flows,  the  effect  of  the
population  structure  will  probably  be  seen  in  the  travel
behaviour of these countries in the not too distant future.

same-day  trips  and  nights  in  private  accommodation  and
by the increase in prices in the destination country.

trips  or  nights 

Although Italy came second in terms of international nights,
it only ranked third in receipts (EUR 30.3 bn in 2006 versus
EUR 28.6 bn in 2000, +0.9% on average each year), with
a  market  share  of  11.9%  in  2006  (13.2%  in  2000).  This
means  that  Italy  recorded  lower  receipts  per  night  in
collective accommodation than France, or registered more
cross-border  same-day 
in  private
accommodation.  For  the  United  Kingdom,  receipts
continued to increase (from EUR 22.7 bn to EUR 26.9 bn,
+2.8%  on  average  each  year),  although  at  a  lower  rate
than  international  tourism  nights.  This  shows  that
international  tourists  who  chose  to  go  there  spent  less  in
2006  than  in  2000.  However,  it  should  be  remembered
that inflation and, in the case of non-euro-zone countries,
exchange  rates  may  influence  the  absolute  values  of
tourism receipts. The same trend applies to Germany and
Austria.

On  the  other  hand,  in  Greece  and  the  Netherlands
international  tourism  receipts  rose  compared  to  overnight
stays. In Greece, for example, international receipts grew by
+1.3% each year (2000-2005 data), while nights declined
by -1.5% on average over the same period. This means that
international  tourists  who  chose  to  go  there  either  spent
more  in  2005  than  in  2000,  or  the  number  of  same-day
trips increased between 2000 and 2005. The same applies
for the Netherlands.

As  for  Belgium  and  Sweden,  they  are  among  the  top  10
countries for international tourism receipts, but not for the
number  of  nights  spent  by  non-residents.  This  means  that
these countries recorded a higher average receipt per night
in comparison to other countries. In Belgium, this trend may
be explained by the prevalence of business tourism. 

1.2 KKey ddrivers 

The  evolution  of  international  tourism  discussed  in  the
previous section is affected by a number of factors whose
impact  is  in  some  cases  difficult  to  understand  merely  by
looking  at  the  statistical  data  on  nights  spent,  tourism
income  and  expenditure.  In  recent  years,  the  extreme
volatility  of  the  international  socio-economic  and  political
scene and a number of significant events in many countries
have had a major impact on tourists’ decisions regarding
holidays.  

In  this  section,  a  summary  is  given  of  the  most  important
positive  and  negative  factors  that  have  shaped  the
development of international tourism in Europe since 2004.
These factors are grouped into five main categories:

• Political factors

• Economic factors

• Social, health and weather factors

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1

TTHHEE TTOOUURRIISSMM SSEECCTTOORR IINN EEUURROOPPEE:: MMAAIINN FFEEAATTUURREESS

PPoolliittiiccaall ffaaccttoorrss 

Policy  and  security  issues  continue  to  be  relevant  for  the
evolution  of  tourism  flows  and  travel  behaviour.  In  2004
and  2005,  the  persistence  of  conflicts  in  the  Middle  East,
the spread of terrorism in Egypt, Asia (Istanbul, Indonesia,
etc.)  and  Europe  and  particularly  the  attacks  on  the
countries  involved  in  the  war  in  Iraq  (Madrid,  2004;
London,  2005)  contributed  to  an  ongoing  high  degree  of
uncertainty  and  tension.  The  perception  of  risk  influenced
travel  decisions  to  a  significant  extent.  Intra-regional
to  play  a
tourism 
considerable  role  in  comparison  to  inter-regional  tourism
(to and from Europe). In 2006, the failed terrorist attack at
Heathrow airport in August and the bomb that exploded at
Madrid  airport  in  December  resulted  in  stricter  safety  and
security controls in airports. However, experience shows that
in recent years the impact of these events on travel tends to
be  limited  and  short-lived.  Travellers  seem  to  have
developed a sort of “immunity” to such threats.

(i.e.  within  Europe)  continued 

Looking at the European continent, the enlargement of the
European Union in 2004 to include ten new countries (the
Czech  Republic,  Estonia,  Cyprus,  Latvia,  Lithuania,
Hungary, Malta, Poland, Slovenia and Slovakia) gave new
impetus to tourism to and from these areas. The future will
see increased cross-border trade and cooperation between
the  new  and  “old”  Member  States  and  the  further
development  of 
tourism.  The  new
enlargement with Bulgaria and Romania at the beginning of
2007 and accession negotiations currently under way with
other  countries  (Croatia,  the  former  Yugoslav  Republic  of
Macedonia and Turkey) should support this trend.

intra-regional 

to  be
Migration  and  visa  controls  also  continue 
impediments  to  travel  growth  in  Europe,  in  particular
between  eastern  countries  (e.g.  Russia  and  Poland)  and
from  Russia  to  central/western  European  countries  (e.g.
Italy). The abolition or easing of visa requirements, reducing
the length of bureaucratic procedures and high associated
costs,  would  have  a  positive  impact  on  travel  demand,
without necessarily generating increased security risks.

Another  aspect  to  be  taken  into  account  is  the  regional
“devolution”  (i.e.  decentralisation)  in  both  “old”  and  new
Member  States  (e.g.  Italy,  Portugal,  Greece,  Czech
Republic,  etc.),  with  the  transfer  of  power  from  central  to
local  government  in,  for  example,  the  tourism  sector.
Although  decentralisation  has  allowed  regions  within
countries  to  develop  their  own  tourism  plans,  it  has  also
increased the fragmentation of roles and duties and led to
a lack of coordination in key areas such as communication,
marketing  and  promotion.  The  main  consequence  is  the
somewhat  mixed  promotion  of  the  country’s  image  as  a
tourism  destination  and  often  a  duplication  or  overlap  of
initiatives  at  regional  level,  which  can  have  the  effect  of
puzzling potential tourists.

EEccoonnoommiicc ffaaccttoorrss

In  the  last  three  years  of  the  period  under  review,  the
evolution  of  economic  markets  was  characterised  by  a
“two-speed  Europe”.  In  particular,  in  2004  and  2005  the
persisting weak economic situation in the euro area had a
dampening effect on expenditure on tourism, for example,
and  changed  the  consumption  behaviour  of  western
Europeans. The recession in Germany and the stagnation in
other  neighbouring  economies  (e.g.  Italy  and  France)
persisted  into  2005.  An  improvement  in  the  economic
trends in these countries was recorded in 2006. 

On  the  other  hand,  in  2004  and  2005  the  emerging
European countries enjoyed their strongest growth since the
beginning of the transition phase. This expansion was led by
the  Baltic  States  (Estonia,  Latvia  and  Lithuania)  and
southern/south-eastern  Europe  (Bulgaria,  Cyprus,  Malta
and Romania). As regards the Baltic States, even if their per
capita GDP is still relatively low compared to that of western
Europe, some economists predict that these countries could
overtake  most  of  eastern  Europe  and  raise  the  living
standards  of  their  citizens  in  the  coming  decade.  This  will
also  lead  to  an  expansion  in  outbound  tourism,  which  is
currently  driven  by  visits  to  friends  and  relatives  within  the
same area of Europe.

Table 1.15 - Recent trends in GDP in the EU-27, in total and by area, 2000 to 2006

GGDDPP ((EEUURR bbiilllliioonn)) ((aatt ccuurrrreenntt pprriicceess))

22000000

22000011

22000022

22000033

22000044

22000055

22000066

EEUU-2277

EEUU-1155

9 171.7

8 733.9

9 550.1

9 058.2

9 907.6

10 073.1

10 572.0

11 008.3

11 602.2

9 383.7

9 549.6

9 999.8

10 343.6

10 857.4

AAnnnnuuaall cchhaannggee rraattee  %% ((aatt ccoonnssttaanntt pprriicceess))

22000000

22000011

22000022

22000033

22000044

22000055

22000066

EEUU-2277

EEUU-1155

1.9

1.9

1.1

1.0

1.2

1.0

2.4

2.2

1.7

1.6

3.0

2.8

MMaarrkkeett sshhaarree %% ((aatt ccuurrrreenntt pprriicceess))

22000000

22000011

22000022

22000033

22000044

22000055

22000066

EEUU-2277

EEUU-1155

14

100.0

95.2

100.0

94.8

100.0

94.7

100.0

94.8

100.0

94.6

100.0

94.0

100.0

93.6

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TTHHEE TTOOUURRIISSMM SSEECCTTOORR IINN EEUURROOPPEE:: MMAAIINN FFEEAATTUURREESS

Looking  at  the  figures,  GDP  at  current  prices  rose  in  the 
EU-27 from about EUR 9 172 bn in 2000 to EUR 11 602
bn  in  2006  (annual  average  change  of  +4.0%  -  Table
1.15). The largest proportion of GDP is concentrated in the
“old” Member States, where it increased from EUR 8 734
bn to 10 857 bn over the same period (+3.7% on average
each  year).  The  higher  dynamics  of  GDP  in  the  EU-27  in
comparison  to  the  EU-15  is  explained  by  the  better
economic  performance  of  the  new  Member  States.
Consequently, the share of EU-15 GDP in the EU-27 total
declined slightly, from 95.2% in 2000 to 93.6% in 2006. 

In real terms (i.e. corrected for inflation effects), GDP in the
EU-27 rose on average by +1.9% per year from 2000 to
2006. This data hid a steady growth throughout the period,
with a peak of +3.0% in 2006. As stated above, the rapid
increases  in  2004,  2005  and  2006  (+2.4%,  +1.7%  and
+3.0%  respectively)  are  mainly  the  result  of  the  strong
expansion in the new Member States (+5.5%, +4.7% and
+6.2% in those same years). 

The  steady  GDP  growth  in  2006  compared  to  2005,
together  with  the  improvement  of  consumer  and  business
confidence  in  industrialised  countries,  had  positive  effects

on  the  local  labour  markets  (Table  1.16).  The  number  of
people  employed  in  the  EU-27  area  grew  by  +2.0%  in
2006, against +1.8% in 2005. Looking at the period as a
whole,  employment  in  the  EU-27  showed  an  average
annual increase of +1.0% between 2000 and 2006, led by
the EU-15 countries (+1.3% on average each year), which
accounted  for  80.0%  of  all  people  employed  in  Europe
(78.6% in 2000). However, 2006 revealed a change in the
trend.  For  the  first  time  since  the  beginning  of  the  21st
century, the number of people employed in the EU-27 grew
at a higher rate than people employed in EU-15 countries,
highlighting the more dynamic growth in employment in the
new Member States (+2.7%). 

Exchange  rates 
(US$/Euro  British  Pound/Euro  and
Yen/Euro) have also influenced tourism flows within Europe.
Euro-zone  countries  have  lost  comparative  advantages  to
other parts of the world as tourism destinations for tourists
coming from the USA, due to the continuous appreciation
of  the  euro.  Similarly,  the  strength  of  the  euro  against  the
yen increased in 2006, making euro-zone destinations less
attractive for Japanese tourists. 

1

Table 1.16 - Recent trends in employment in the EU-27, in total and by area, 2000 to 2006

EEmmppllooyymmeenntt ((11 000000))

22000000

22000011

22000022

22000033

22000044

22000055

22000066

EEUU-227711

EEUU-115511

201 871

204 161

204 213

205 289

205 957

209 740

213 848

158 759

161 408

162 737

164 156

164 814

168 089

171 044

AAnnnnuuaall cchhaannggee rraattee %%

22000000

22000011

22000022

22000033

22000044

22000055

22000066

EEUU-2277

EEUU-1155

1.1

1.7

0.0

0.8

0.5

0.9

0.3

0.4

1.8

2.0

2.0

1.8

MMaarrkkeett sshhaarree %%

22000000

22000011

22000022

22000033

22000044

22000055

22000066

EEUU-2277

EEUU-1155

100.0

78.6

100.0

79.1

100.0

79.7

100.0

80.0

100.0

80.0

100.0

80.1

100.0

80.0

1) First quarter data is used  for FR from 2000 to 2002. 

SSoocciiaall,, hheeaalltthh aanndd wweeaatthheerr ffaaccttoorrss

Although market globalisation has reduced the physical and
psychological distance between North and South, East and
West, it has also led to the strong defence of local identities
and values (ethnical, religious, cultural, etc.) against foreign
influence. Ethnic conflicts have arisen in many parts of the
world (e.g. Africa, Asia, etc.) and also in Europe (Chechnya
in Russia).

The development of multiculturalism has thus gone hand in
hand with the growth of radicalism, and this phenomenon
is expected to intensify in some parts of the world in the near
future. 

The main effects are:

• ·A  change  in  the  geography  of  tourism:  some
destinations  (especially  in  Africa)  have  been  excluded
from international tourism routes, and this has generally

benefited  other  destinations  with  the  same  climatic
conditions but considered safer (e.g. southern Europe).

• ·At destinations, relations between tourists and residents
have sometimes been hard to manage, because of the
adverse  reaction  of  the  local  community  to  people
perceived  as  “invaders”  and  not  as  guests  of  the
country. 

In  addition,  the  growth  of  clandestine  migration  from
developing countries to developed economies that are also
important  tourism  destinations  (e.g.  Italy)  has  also
influenced how the local tourism market has evolved. 

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1

TTHHEE TTOOUURRIISSMM SSEECCTTOORR IINN EEUURROOPPEE:: MMAAIINN FFEEAATTUURREESS

Another aspect that has emerged increasingly in Europe in
recent  years  is  “tourism  for  all”.  This  means  that  disabled
people also participate frequently in tourism activities. Their
access to means of transport, attractions and other facilities
(accommodation  establishments,  beaches,  etc.)  has
considerably  improved.  In  the  year  2000,  official  statistics
showed that the proportion of people who are registered as
severely  disabled  was  estimated  at  9%  of  the  total  EU
population  (33.8  million  people).  However,  the  overall
number  of  disabled  people  is  much  higher  (about  25%  -
European  Commission,  2004).  Some  studies  have
demonstrated that the number of trips per person that could
be  made  by  disabled  people  who  are  financially  and
physically  able  to  travel  would  be  the  same  as  for  the
average  population.  This  highlights  the  importance  of
adapting  tourism  supply  and  services  in  such  a  way  that
nobody is excluded from enjoying them.   

Apart  from  political  and  economic  events,  health  aspects
have  also  had  profound  effects  on  the  tourism  market  in
recent years, highlighting the importance of safety issues in
the choice of travel destination. After the SARS in 2003, the
outbreak of avian flu at the end of 2004/beginning of 2005
in Asia (Indonesia, Korea, Thailand, China, etc.) and then
its  spread  to  poultry  and  wild  birds  in  the  Russian
Federation, Turkey, Romania and other East European and
North  African  countries,  tended  to  discourage  tourism
towards these areas. In addition, the unfounded fears that
there  might  be  a  human  flu  pandemic  in  2006  initially
affected tourism mobility all over the world. Much has been
done at international level (e.g. World Health Organisation,
United  Nations,  World  Tourism  Organisation,  European
Commission, etc.) to inform consumers and stakeholders of
the  importance  of  being  prepared  and  facing  up  to  the
situation in a measured and rational way, thus minimising
the disruption to travel and tourism. 

As for weather conditions, the tsunami disaster in South and
South-East  Asia  (particularly  in  Sri  Lanka,  Maldives,
Thailand and Indonesia) on 26 December 2004 caused a
dramatic loss of human lives and a downturn of tourism in
these areas. However, it had only a limited impact on global
tourism,  because  the  market  share  of  the  destinations
concerned  is  low  (according  to  WTO,  about  3%  of  total
world  tourism  arrivals  in  2004)  and  the  damages  were
limited  to  a  few  coastal  resorts  in  each  country.
Furthermore,  a  substitution  effect  took  place.  In  the  very
short term, some of the tourists who had intended to spend
their holidays in those countries switched their travel plans
to other destinations with similar characteristics. 

At the end of 2005, beginning of 2006, the hurricanes over
the  Caribbean  islands  and  Mexico  caused  a  decline  in
inbound  tourism  flows  coming  generally  from  North
America  and  Europe,  with  substitution  effects  on  other
destinations. In addition, in 2006 strange weather patterns
characterised  by  flooding  in  northern  European  countries
and dry weather and forest fires in the Mediterranean area
caused a slowdown in intra-regional tourism. 

MMaarrkkeett aanndd aacccceessssiibbiilliittyy ffaaccttoorrss

As  regards  market  and  accessibility  factors,  cyclical
elements  combine  with  structural  changes.  The  former
include the attractiveness of major sport and cultural events
in  Europe,  which  mainly  affected  trends  in  both  intra-
European  and  international  tourism  demand.  Even  if  past
experience  has  shown  that  these  events  often  have  the
opposite impact in terms of arrivals, they usually contribute
to  excellent  results  in  terms  of  tourism  receipts  in  the  host
countries  and  in  some  cases  stimulate  growth  in  tourism
flows  in  the  following  years.  For  example,  Greece  and
Portugal, which both failed to maximise the expected growth
potential  of  the  2004  Summer  Olympic  Games  and  the
UEFA  European  Football  Championship,  capitalised  on
post-event  media  exposure  in  2005  and  2006  with  a
significant increase of international arrivals.

In contrast, Germany’s hosting of the FIFA World Football
Championship in 2006 brought a significant growth in the
numbers  of  international  arrivals.  In  the  Netherlands,  the
anniversary  celebrations  of  the  birth  of  Rembrandt
supported  the  country’s  excellent  performance,  while,  in
Austria,  Vienna  and  Salzburg  performed  better  than
average because of the anniversary celebrations of the birth
of  Mozart,  which  partly  compensated  for  the  wet  summer
season and a winter season with a lack of snow. Austria’s
presidency of the European Union also brought additional
business traffic.

Looking  at  structural  changes,  although  economic  trends
and the consequent growth, or reduction, in the purchasing
power  of  European  households  have  altered  their  travel
behaviour,  the  changes  in  population  demographics
(ageing of the population, smaller households, more singles
and childless couples, etc.), values (searching for something
different,  looking  for  new  experiences,  etc.)  and  lifestyles
(flexible  work  hours,  higher  incomes  and  more  free  time,
more  short  breaks,  healthy  living,  etc.)  have  helped  to
develop  a  new  kind  of  tourist,  more  experienced  and
demanding, flexible and independent-minded. New holiday
patterns  are  emerging,  forcing  public  and  private  tourism
operators  to  develop  new  tourism  products  and  services
and to rethink their marketing and promotional strategies.

In detail:

• ·More holiday trips, but shorter stays;  

• ·Growing  interest  in  last-minute  travel  and  low-cost

offers;

• ·Growth  in  independent  travel  at  the  expense  of

package tours;  

• ·Search  for  direct,  unfiltered  and  more  “conscious”

contact with nature and the environment;

• ·Desire  to  gain  a  real  and  authentic  experience  of

places;

• ·Interest in adventure, unexplored places or tourism “off

the beaten track”;

16

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TTHHEE TTOOUURRIISSMM SSEECCTTOORR IINN EEUURROOPPEE:: MMAAIINN FFEEAATTUURREESS

1

higher taxes and carbon offset programmes. Each Member
State was expected to define a National Allocation Plan in
accordance with its Kyoto targets. In addition, in the same
year  an  EU  Communication  on  the  impact  of  aviation  on
climate  change  highlighted 
from
international flights from EU airports will increase by 150%
between 1990 and 2012. This growth in EU international
aviation  emissions  would  eat  into  more  than  a  quarter  of
the Community’s reductions target. 

that  emissions 

In  2006,  the  EU  ETS  was  amended  to  include  “Aviation”.
This has a significant impact on tourism. According to the
impact assessment, around 25% of tourist trips in the EU-27
(total)  involve  air  travel  (EU  integration  seen  through
statistics - Key facts of 18 policy areas, EUROSTAT 2006).
Extra costs stemming from inclusion of the sector in the EU
ETS would amount to some 2% of the average expenditure
on a typical holiday trip by air in Europe, assuming a high
allowance  price  of  €30.  Only  for  regions  whose  tourism
receipts  depend  almost  completely  on  inbound  air  travel
can a somewhat greater impact be expected (the share of
air travel on total tourism arrivals will be over 37% in Malta,
Cyprus, Latvia, Greece, Spain, Portugal by 2020 according
to  the  same  impact  assessment).  The  impact  assessment
also  underlines  that  experience  from  past  oil  price  shocks
indicates  that  an  increase  corresponding  to  a  high
allowance  price  of  €30  is  unlikely  to  have  a  significant
impact on international tourism demand.

TTeecchhnnoollooggyy ffaaccttoorrss

The  development  of  the  internet  and  e-commerce,  the
convergence  between  information  and  communication
technologies  (ICT)  and  multimedia,  the  spread  of  mobile
technologies  (GSM,  UMTS,  etc.)  and  navigation  systems
(GPS)  and  more  recently  the  emergence  of  social
networking and Web 2.0, are all factors that have a strong
impact  on  consumers’  travel  decisions  and  thus  on
destination competitiveness. 

On the demand side, the Internet allows potential tourists to
search for information more quickly, to pick up data from
different information sources (e.g. destinations, online travel
agencies, hotels, etc.), to compare different travel solutions
through  meta-search  engines  and,  where  e-commerce
facilities are provided, to book and purchase travel online.
Customers  can  “call  the  shots”  themselves  and  search  for
the  best  deal  or  last-minute  booking  or  tailor  their  own
package tour programme through dynamic packaging.

• ·Development  of  “proximity”  tourism,  i.e.  tourism  to
destinations/areas close to the usual place of residence
(weekend trips);

• ·Development  of  new  cultural  horizons  (living  culture),
that  go  beyond  merely  visiting  museums  and
monuments  or,  more  generally  a  single  attraction,  to
include  all  the  territory  and  the  cultural  context  where
the attraction is located (e.g. food, traditions, way of life,
etc.);

• ·Interest  in  local  customs,  folklore  and  resources  (e.g.

craftworks, etc.).

The increase in travel frequency and shorter stays has also
been  stimulated  by  the  spread  of  low-cost  airline  travel,
which  has  been  identified  as  one  of  the  main  drivers  of
tourism  growth  in  Europe  in  2006  (European  Travel
Commission, European Tourism Insights 2006, ETC Market
Intelligence Report No 3/2007, May). The improvement in
international air transport with new economic options (low-
cost  carriers)  has  forced  competition  not  only  between
airline  companies  but  also  between  different  modes  of
short- or medium-haul transport (e.g. air and rail, air and
car). 

In addition, the emergence of low-cost carriers has opened
new routes from and to secondary airports away from the
main hubs used by traditional air carriers and has been a
major factor in determining the success of new cities/resorts
in popular destinations (e.g. Seville) and of new countries in
central and eastern Europe (e.g. Latvia and Lithuania). This
has expanded the potential traveller market by bringing air
travel closer to where people live.

Apart  from  providing  new  travel  opportunities  to  regular
travellers (e.g. extending the market of short breaks), low-
cost  airlines  have  also  created  an  additional  tourism
demand, attracting new groups of travellers residing outside
the main metropolitan or urban areas, with limited budgets
but with a healthy appetite for travel. An interesting example
is given by the United Kingdom, where the number of low-
cost flights from Bournemouth, Bristol, Doncaster, Liverpool,
Glasgow,  etc.,  is  increasing  in  comparison  to  the  London
metropolitan area. 

The growing attention paid to nature and the environment
is  a  first  step  towards  a  more  conscious  approach  to
tourism.  This  has  probably  also  been  prompted  by  action
taken  in  recent  years  by  international  organisations  to
develop sustainable tourism, both demand and supply-side.
Conscious tourist behaviour, good public governance and
quality  management  of  private  production  patterns  are
considered  crucial  to  ensuring  the  economic,  social  and
environmental sustainability of tourism at different territorial
levels.

In  2005,  concerns  over  climate  change  started  to  gain
increasing  attention,  following  the  European  Union
Greenhouse Gas Emission Trading Scheme (EU ETS), which
started operating in January. The “Scheme” resulted in a set
of  measures  to  stem  excessive  energy  demand,  including

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17

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TTHHEE TTOOUURRIISSMM SSEECCTTOORR IINN EEUURROOPPEE:: MMAAIINN FFEEAATTUURREESS

1

According  to  the  latest  web  statistics  (Internet  World
Statistics,  2007),  in  Europe  about  348.1  million  people
(43.4% of the entire population) surf the Internet, with travel
and tourism services among the most popular products on
the web. Although the highest penetration rates continue to
be  recorded  in  Scandinavia  and  Northern  Europe  (e.g.
Norway  88%,  Sweden  77%,  the  United  Kingdom  67%),  a
dynamic evolution is sweeping through new Member States
such  as  Estonia  (58%)  and  Slovenia  (62%),  which  are
basically  destinations  of  international  tourism  flows.  In
2006,  online  travel  sales  in  Europe  accounted  for  about
16.1%  of  the  total  market  (EUR  39.7  bn),  an  increase  of
+31% in comparison to 2005, when its share was 12.9%
(EUR 30.2 bn - Carl H. Marcussen, 2008). 

In  addition,  the  democratisation  of  technology  and  the
recent spread of Travel 2.0 applications support the sharing
of travel experiences and the spread of electronic word of
mouth.  It  can  increasingly  affect  the  choice  of  destination
and  especially  of  the  services  purchased  (“where  to  stay”)
by “high tech” tourists.

On  the  supply  side,  the  spread  of  ICT  has  increased
opportunities for all tourism destinations and businesses to
reach a larger market of potential clients but, at the same
time,  it  has  expanded  global  competition.  The  Internet
offers tourism destinations and businesses (hotels, airlines,
cruise  companies,  etc.)  a  new  channel  for  making
information  and  booking  facilities  available  to  large
numbers  of  customers  at  relatively  low  cost  compared  to
other  distribution  channels  (e.g.  front  office/call  centre,
travel intermediary, etc.). On the one hand, this has led to
market  “disintermediation”,  with  many  businesses
(especially  low-cost  airlines)  bypassing  travel  agents  and
selling directly to customers. On the other hand, however,
the  Internet  has  stimulated  the  emergence  of  new  online
intermediaries (e.g. Travelocity.com, Expedia.com, etc.) on
the market, competing with traditional travel agencies.

Many  destinations  around  the  world  have  adopted
Destination  Management  Systems  (DMS)  to  organise  and
promote their tourism offers. However, despite the millions
of  euros  spent,  these  systems  are  still  underutilised.  Only
destinations 
the
take 
opportunities will be able to capitalise on the benefits in the
future. 

full  advantage  of 

that  can 

18

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CHAPTER 2 - TOURIST ACCOMMODATION

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TTOOUURRIISSTT AACCCCOOMMMMOODDAATTIIOONN

2. TTOURIST AACCOMMODATION

This  chapter  gives  an  overview  of  the  characteristics  and
evolution  of  the  accommodation  capacity  in  Europe  by
comparing the trends in the EU-27 area as a whole and in
the old and new Member States and Candidate countries.

Table  2.1  shows  the  volume  and  evolution  of  the  total
number  of  collective  accommodation  establishments  and
bed places in all European countries in 2000 and 2006. 

the  EU-27  countries  reported  422 434
In  2006, 
establishments and 27.4 million bed places, an average of
65 bed places per establishment. Looking at the evolution
between  2000  and  2006,  both  the  number  of  collective
(+1.7%  on  annual
accommodation  establishments 
average)  and  the  number  bed  places  (+2.0%  on  annual
average) increased. This also resulted in a small increase in
the average size of establishments (from 64 in 2000 to 65
in 2006).

2

Table 2.1 - Accommodation capacity in collective accommodation establishments in Europe, 2000 and 2006

2000

EU-227

BE

BG

CZ 

DK

DE

EE

IE

EL

ES

FR

IT

CY

LV

LT

LU

HU

MT

Number oof eestablishments

381 719

3 633

836

7 469

1 095 55 583

350

7 931

8 692 21 746 28 743 117 219

618

232

494

606

2 965

249

Number oof bbed pplaces ((1 0000)

24 221

Bed pplaces pper eestablishment

63

Number oof eestablishments

Number oof bbed pplaces

100.0

100.0

633

174

1.0

2.6

136

163

0.2

0.6

437

383

3 079

59

350

55

16

47

197

703

2 622

5 416

3 910

88

25

81

121

188

33

143

Share oof iindividual ccountries oon tthe EEU-227 ttotal

2.0

1.8

0.3

1.6

14.6

12.7

0.1

0.1

2.1

0.8

2.3

2.9

5.7

7.5

10.8

22.4

30.7

16.1

0.2

0.4

17

74

0.1

0.1

27

55

0.1

0.1

65

107

0.2

0.3

313

105

0.8

1.3

41

164

0.1

0.2

2006

EU-227

BE

BG

CZ 

DK

DE

EE

IE

EL

ES

FR

IT

CY

LV

LT

LU

HU

MT

Number oof eestablishments

422 434

3 485

1 844

7 616

1 076 54 793

951

9 101

9 444 36 199 28 778 134 713

894

393

515

536

3 056

179

Number oof bbed pplaces ((1 0000)

27 351

Bed pplaces pper eestablishment

65

Number oof eestablishments

Number oof bbed pplaces

100.0

100.0

368

106

0.8

1.3

247

134

0.4

0.9

Number oof eestablishments

Number oof bbed pplaces

1.7

2.0

-0.7

-8.6

14.1

10.5

442

391

3 331

58

364

61

41

43

209

787

3 075

5 737

4 500

94

23

83

85

199

33

105

Share oof iindividual ccountries oon tthe EEU-227 ttotal

1.8

1.6

0.3

0.2

0.3

1.4

13.0

12.2

0.2

0.1

2.2

0.8

2.2

2.9

8.6

6.8

11.2

21.0

31.9

16.5

Average aannual ggrowth rrate %% 22000-22006

-0.3

0.3

-0.2

18.1

1.3

16.6

2.3

1.0

1.4

1.9

8.9

2.7

0.0

1.0

2.3

2.4

0.2

0.3

6.3

1.0

25

62

0.1

0.1

9.2

6.2

32

62

0.1

0.1

0.7

2.8

66

124

0.1

0.2

-2.0

0.4

315

103

0.7

1.2

0.5

0.1

40

225

0.0

0.1

-5.4

-0.3

2000

NL

AT

PL

PT

RO

SI

SK 

FI

SE

UK

HR

MK1

TR

IS

LI

NO

CH

Number oof eestablishments

6 444 21 082

7 818

2 049

3 121

846

1 559

1 528

3 491 75 320

1 221

321

Number oof bbed pplaces ((1 0000)

1 139

930

652

Bed pplaces pper eestablishment

177

44

83

Number oof eestablishments

Number oof bbed pplaces

1.7

4.7

5.5

3.8

2.0

2.7

485

237

0.5

2.0

280

90

64

76

143

92

223

146

634 1  588

182

21

Share oof iindividual ccountries oon tthe EEU-227 ttotal

0.8

1.2

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.6

0.4

0.9

0.9

2.6

19.7

6.6

485

397

42

132

0.3

2.0

0.1

0.2

2006

NL

AT

PL

PT

RO

SI

SK 

FI

SE

UK

HR

MK1

TR

Number oof eestablishments

7 154 20 457

6 694

2 324

4 710

707

2 043

1 381

4 008 79 383

Number oof bbed pplaces ((1 0000)

1 187

935

575

Bed pplaces pper eestablishment

166

46

86

Number oof eestablishments

Number oof bbed pplaces

Number oof eestablishments

Number oof bbed pplaces

1.7

4.3

1.8

0.7

4.8

3.4

1.6

2.1

-0.5

0.1

-2.6

-2.1

455

196

0.6

1.7

2.1

-1.1

287

61

66

94

145

71

214

155

759

3 030

189

38

Share oof iindividual ccountries oon tthe EEU-227 ttotal

1.1

1.1

0.2

0.2

0.5

0.5

0.3

0.8

0.9

2.8

18.8

11.1

Average aannual ggrowth rrate %% 22000-22006

7.1

0.4

-2.9

0.5

4.6

0.2

-1.7

-0.7

2.3

3.0

0.9

11.4

1 643

482

293

0.4

1.8

5.1

-0.1

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

648

:

:

0.2

:

:

:

:

:

:

2 379 99 809

501

1 071

211

11

0.6

2.1

26.1

4.4

IS

LI

NO

CH

595

157

2 282

:

:

0.1

:

-1.4

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

493

216

0.5

1.8

-0.7

-0.3

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

1) Provisional code which does not prejudge in any way the definitive nomenclature for this country, which will be agreed following the conclusion of negotiations currently taking place on this subject
at the United Nations.

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21

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TTOOUURRIISSTT AACCCCOOMMMMOODDAATTIIOONN

In  2006,  about  80%  of  all  collective  accommodation
establishments  in  the  EU-27  were  concentrated  in  five
countries. Italy ranked first (134 713 establishments, 31.9%
of  the  EU-27  total),  followed  by  the  United  Kingdom
(79 383  establishments,  18.8%),  Germany  (54 793
establishments,  13.0%),  Spain  (36 199  establishments,
8.6%) and France (28 778 establishments, 6.8%). 

Looking  at  accommodation  capacity  measured  by  bed
places,  it  was  France  that  occupied  first  place  (about  5.7
million, 21.0% of the EU-27 total), followed by Italy (about
4.5 million, 16.5%), Germany (about 3.3 million, 12.2%),
Spain (about 3.1 million, 11.2%) and the United Kingdom
(about 3.0 million, 11.1%). Between 2000 and 2006, the
share of these five countries rose from 78.2% to 79.0% in
terms of establishments and from 68.6% to 71.9% in terms
of bed places. 

Regarding the dynamics of total accommodation supply, the
“old”  Member  States  with  the  highest  increases  in  total
collective  accommodation  establishments  over  the  period
analysed were Spain and Sweden (+8.9% and +2.3% on
average each year, respectively), while for bed places it was
the  United  Kingdom  and  Sweden  (+11.4%  and  +3.0%
respectively).  The  new  Member  States  were  headed  by
terms  of  both
Estonia,  Bulgaria  and  Latvia, 
establishments (+18.1%, +14.1% and +9.2% respectively)
and  bed  places 
(+16.6%,  +10.5%  and  +6.2%
respectively). By contrast, Malta (-5.4% on annual average
from  2000  to  2006),  Slovenia  (-2.9%),  Poland  (-2.6%),

in 

2

Luxembourg  (-2.0%),  and  Finland  (-1.7%)  recorded  a
significant  decline 
the  number  of  collective
accommodation  establishments.  As  for  bed  places,  the
major decreases were recorded by Belgium (-8.6%), Poland
(-2.1%) and Portugal (-1.1%). 

in 

Comparing  the  trend  for  establishments  and  bed  places
over the period from 2000 to 2006, the countries with the
highest increases in the average number of bed places per
establishment  between  2000  and  2006  were  Malta  (from
164  to  225  bed  places),  Slovenia  (from  76  to  94),
Luxembourg (from 107 to 124), the United Kingdom (from
21 to 37), Denmark (from 350 to 364) and France (from
188  to  199).  Countries  showing  large  decreases  in  the
average  size  of  total  establishments,  on  the  other  hand,
were  Belgium  (from  174  to  106),  Portugal  (from  237  to
196), Cyprus (from 143 to 105), Spain (from 121 to 85),
Romania  (from  90  to  61),  Bulgaria  (from  163  to  134),
Slovakia  (from  92  to  71),  Latvia  (from  74  to  62)  and  the
Netherlands  (from  177  to  166).  However,  the  Candidate
country Croatia showed the largest decrease in bed places
per  establishment  (from  397  to  293  bed  places).  In  all 
EU-27  countries,  the  average  size  of  all  accommodation
establishments increased slightly between 2000 and 2006
from 63 to 65 bed places.

Table  2.2  presents  the  distribution  of  accommodation
supply  in  each  European  country  by  category  (hotels  and
other  collective  accommodation)  and  how  it  changed
between 2000 and 2006.

Table 2.2 - Distribution of accommodation capacity, bed places, 2000 and 2006 (%)

2000

EU-227

BE

BG

CZ 

DK

DE

EE1

IE

EL

ES

FR

IT

CY

LV

LT

LU

HU

MT

Total

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

Hotels aand ssimilar eestablishments

42.8

18.8

89.1

49.8

16.4

51.6

100.0

70.5

86.4

50.2

22.4

47.4

95.6

69.2

42.4

22.3

45.9

99.8

Other ccollect. aaccomm.

57.2

81.2

10.9

50.2

83.6

48.4

of wwhich: ttourist ccampsites2

of wwhich: hholiday ddwellings3

68.2

18.3

68.4

12.0

28.4

:

11.0

12.3

83.8

12.5

52.5

21.3

:

:

:

29.5

13.6

49.8

77.6

52.6

4.4

30.8

57.6

77.7

54.1

0.2

58.4

100.0

19.5

:

56.6

43.4

85.4

14.2

63.9

22.8

79.5

20.5

13.2

81.1

5.8

91.7

89.7

3.8

60.7

11.8

:

:

2006

EU-227

BE

BG

CZ 

DK

DE

EE

IE

EL

ES

FR

IT

CY

LV

LT

LU

HU

MT

Total

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

Hotels aand ssimilar eestablishments

42.2

33.7

85.6

53.4

18,1

49.0

63.8

71.0

88.1

52.5

21.9

46.4

95.5

80.4

67.4

21.6

50.4

98.3

Other ccollect. aaccomm.

57.8

66.3

14.4

46.6

81,9

51.0

36.2

29.0

11.9

47.5

78.1

53.6

4.5

19.6

32.6

78.4

49.6

1.7

of wwhich: ttourist ccampsites4

of wwhich: hholiday ddwellings5

64.3

20.3

40.1

20.1

12.7

38.9

15.1

13.6

83,8

12,3

47.2

19.2

29.7

23.6

42.2

100.0

37.7

:

53.0

39.4

82.7

16.9

56.3

25.1

66.7

33.3

31.3

37.5

8.7

92.7

79.8

4.2

55.0

14.4

:

:

2000

NL

AT

PL

PT

RO

SI

SK 

FI

SE

UK

HR

MK6

TR

IS

LI

NO

CH

Total

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

Hotels aand ssimilar eestablishments

15.2

63.3

18.5

46.0

71.2

47.5

30.6

52.6

29.7

70.5

Other ccollect. aaccomm.

84.8

36.7

81.5

54.0

28.8

52.5

69.4

47.4

70.3

29.5

of wwhich: ttourist ccampsites

of wwhich: hholiday ddwellings

75.2

18.9

57.4

15.9

13.5

96.2

35.8

53.8

57.4

88.5

5.9

:

:

8.0

6.1

8.9

85.0

11.2

58.8

15.2

2006

NL

AT

PL

PT

RO

SI

SK 

FI

SE

UK

41.1

37.8

58.9

62.2

73.6

44.5

6.2

HR

MK6

Total

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

Hotels aand ssimilar eestablishments

16.2

61.2

31.0

58.0

78.8

47.0

40.1

55.3

26.5

41.4

Other ccollect. aaccomm.

83.8

38.8

69.0

42.0

21.2

53.0

59.9

44.7

73.5

58.6

of wwhich: ttourist ccampsites

of wwhich: hholiday ddwellings

72.7

21.6

54.3

19.7

6.3

5.6

95.2

44.4

:

:

47.4

12.3

46.2

7.5

85.6

12.6

84.8

8.3

67.3

21.4

33.9

66.1

66.9

3.1

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

IS

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

LI

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

100.0

100.0

28.1

24.2

71.9

75.8

97.0

1.7

25.9

44.4

NO

CH

100.0

30.7

69.3

94.3

4.0

:

:

:

:

:

TR

:

:

:

:

:

:

1) The category "Other collective accommodation" is included in "Hotels and similar establishments". 2) EU-27 excluding EE and MT 3) EU-27 excluding BG, EE, EL, MT, PT and RO. 4) EU-27 excluding
MT. 5) EU-27 excluding EL, MT, PT and RO. 6) Provisional code which does not prejudge in any way the definitive nomenclature for this country, which will be agreed following the conclusion of
negotiations currently taking place on this subject at the United Nations.

22

Panorama on Tourism

TTOOUURRIISSTT AACCCCOOMMMMOODDAATTIIOONN

Focusing on the most important destinations of international
tourism  in  Europe,  Spain  and  Greece  saw  an  increase  in
bed  places  in  hotels  and  similar  establishments  between
2000 and 2006 (from 50.2% to 52.5% and from 86.4% to
88.1% respectively). The reverse trend was recorded in Italy,
the share of bed places in hotels dropping from 47.4% to
46.4% over the period analysed, due to the growth in bed
places  in  other  collective  accommodation  establishments,
especially in holiday dwellings (from 22.8% to 25.1%). 

However,  the  greatest  changes  in  accommodation  supply
were  recorded  by  Belgium,  Sweden  and  the  United
Kingdom.  In  Belgium,  the  weight  of  bed  places  in  hotels
showed a sharp increase in the six-year period, from 18.8%
to  33.7%.  On  the  other  hand,  bed  places  in  hotels  in
Sweden and the United Kingdom decreased over the same
period  (from  29.7%  to  26.5%  and  from  70.5%  to  41.4%
respectively).  Almost  all  eastern  European  countries
increased  their  hotel  capacity  from  2000  to  2006,
especially  Slovakia  (from  30.6%  to  40.1%),  Latvia  (from
69.2%  to  80.4%)  and  Lithuania  (from  42.4%  to  67.4%).
The only exception was Croatia, which recorded a decrease
from 41.1% to 33.9% over the same period. 

2

Panorama_tourism_2007_CH2.qxp  17/07/2008  10:32  Page 23

In  2006,  about  42%  of  the  total  EU-27  capacity  was  in
hotels  and  about  58% 
in  other  accommodation
establishments (of which 64.9% were campsites and 20.3%
holiday dwellings). The six-year period saw a slight decrease
in  the  share  of  hotels  and  similar  establishments  (from
42.8%  of  total  bed  places  in  2000  to  42.2%  in  2006),
compared  with  a  small  increase  in  other  collective
establishments  (from  57.2%  to  57.8%).  In  particular,  the
weight  of  campsite  bed  places  in  total  bed  places  in 
non-hotel accommodation declined from 68.2% in 2000 to
64.9%  in  2006,  while  in  holiday  dwellings  it  rose  from
18.3% to 20.3%. 

In 2006, the countries with the highest percentages of bed
places  in  hotels  and  similar  establishments  were:  Malta
(98.3%  versus  99.8%  in  2000),  Cyprus  (95.6%  versus
95.5%),  Bulgaria  (85.6%  versus  89.1%),  Greece  (88.1%
versus  86.4%),  Latvia  (80.4%  versus  69.2%),  Romania
(78.8%  versus  71.2%),  Ireland  (71.0%  versus  70.5%)  and
Lithuania  (67.4%  versus  42.4%).  In  2006,  figures  above
55.0%  were  also  recorded  in  Estonia  (63.8%),  Austria
(61.2%), Portugal (58.0%), and Finland (55.3%).

Looking at other collective accommodation establishments,
the  highest  shares  of  bed  places  in  2006  in  this  category
were registered in the Benelux region (the Netherlands with
83.8%, Luxembourg 78.4%, Belgium 66.3%), Scandinavia
(Denmark  81.9%,  Sweden  73.5%  and  Norway  69.3%),
France (78.1%) and in certain eastern European countries
(Poland 69.0%, Croatia 66.1% and Slovakia 59.9%).

in 

The comparison between 2000 and 2006 showed a strong
decline 
the  weight  of  other  accommodation
establishments  in  Lithuania  (from  57.6%  to  32.6%),
Belgium  (from  81.2%  to  66.3%),  Poland  (from  81.5%  to
69.0%),  Portugal  (from  54.0%  to  42.0%),  Slovakia  (from
69.4%  to  59.9%),  Romania  (from  28.8%  to  21.2%),
Hungary (from 54.1% to 49.6%), the Czech Republic (from
50.2% to 46.6%) and a significant increase in Croatia (from
58.9% to 66.1%) and Bulgaria (from 10.9% to 14.4%). 

Panorama on Tourism

23

Panorama_tourism_2007_CH2.qxp  17/07/2008  10:32  Page 24

TTOOUURRIISSTT AACCCCOOMMMMOODDAATTIIOONN

Looking  at  the  accommodation  capacity  in  hotels  and
similar establishments (Table 2.3), in 2006 about 72% was
concentrated  in  five  countries.  Taking  into  account  the
number of hotels, the United Kingdom ranked first (39 107
hotels,  19.5%  of  the  EU-27  total),  followed  by  Germany
(36 201 hotels, 18.0%), Italy (33 768 hotels, 16.8%), Spain
(18 304 hotels, 9.1%) and France (18 135 hotels, 9.0%). 

In terms of bed places, it was Italy that occupied first place
(2.1  million  bed  places  in  2006,  18.1%),  followed  by
Germany (1.6 million, 14.1%), Spain (1.6 million, 14.0%),
the United Kingdom (1.3 million, 10.9%) and France (1.3
million, 10.9%). 

Table 2.3 - Accommodation capacity in hotels and similar establishments in Europe, 2000 and 2006

2000

EU-227

BE

BG

CZ 

DK

DE

EE1

IE

EL

ES

FR

IT

CY

LV

LT

LU

HU

MT

Number oof hhotels

205 451 1 998

648 3 960

472 38 551

350 5 449 8 342 16 287 18 773 33 361

583

166

227

315 1 928

246

2

Number oof bbed pplaces iin hhotels ((1 0000)

10 367

119

Bed pplaces pper hhotel

50

60

Number oof hhotels

Number oof bbed pplaces iin hhotels

100.0

100.0

1.0

1.1

121

187

0.3

1.2

218

63 1 590

55

133

41

16

47

139

608

1316

1214 1 854

85

25

73

81

65

56

145

Share oof iindividual ccountries oon tthe EEU-227 ttotal

1.9

2.1

0.2

0.6

18.8

15.3

0.2

0.2

2.7

1.3

4.1

5.9

7.9

9.1

16.2

12.7

11.7

17.9

0.3

0.8

12

72

0.1

0.1

12

51

0.1

0.1

14

46

0.2

0.1

144

41

74

166

0.9

1.4

0.1

0.4

2006

EU-227

BE

BG

CZ 

DK

DE

EE

IE

EL

ES

FR

IT

CY

LV

LT

LU

HU

MT

Number oof hhotels

200 949 1 955 1 348 4 314

473 36 201

341 4 296 9 111 18 304 18 135 33 768

753

321

338

284 2 032

173

Number oof bbed pplaces iin hhotels ((1 0000)

11 537 

124

Bed pplaces pper hhotel

57

63

Number oof hhotels

Number oof bbed pplaces iin hhotels

100.0

100.0

1.0

1.1

212

157

0.7

1.8

236

71 1 632

55

150

45

26

76

148

693 1 615 1 254 2 087

90

34

76

88

69

62

119

Share oof iindividual ccountries oon tthe EEU-227 ttotal

2.1

2.0

0.2

0.6

18.0

14.1

0.2

0.2

2.1

1.3

4.5

6.0

9.1

9.0

16.8

14.0

10.9

18.1

Average aannual ggrowth rrate %% 22000-22006

Number oof hhotels

-0.4

-0.4

13.0

Number oof bbed pplaces iin hhotels ((1 0000)

1.8

0.6

9.7

1.4

1.4

0.0

2.0

-1.0

-0.4

-3.9

0.4

8.2

1.1

1.5

2.2

2.0

3.5

-0.6

0.5

0.2

2.0

20

61

0.2

0.2

22

64

0.2

0.2

14

51

0.1

0.1

11.6

6.9

8.8

11.0

-1.7

-0.1

159

40

78

228

1.0

1.4

0.9

1.7

0.1

0.3

-5.7

-0.5

0.4

0.8

4.4

1.0

2000

NL

AT

PL

PT

RO

SI

SK 

FI

SE

UK

HR

MK2

TR

IS

LI

NO

CH

Number oof hhotels

2 835 15 517 1 449 1 786 2 533

448

582 1 011 1 906 45 728

Number oof bbed pplaces iin hhotels ((1 0000)

173

588

120

Bed pplaces pper hhotel

61

38

83

223

125

199

79

31

68

44

75

117

116

188 1 119

99

24

Share oof iindividual ccountries oon tthe EEU-227 ttotal

Number oof hhotels

Number oof bbed pplaces iin hhotels

1.4

1.7

7.6

5.7

0.7

1.2

0.9

2.2

1.2

1.9

0.2

0.3

0.3

0.4

0.5

1.1

0.9

1.8

22.3

10.8

733

200

272

0.4

1.9

145 1 814

244

50 1 166 5 754

16

110

322

178

0.1

0.2

0.9

3.1

13

51

0.1

0.1

1

24

0.0

0.0

141

121

260

45

0.6

1.4

2.8

2.5

2006

NL

AT

PL

PT

RO

SI

SK 

FI

SE

UK

HR

MK2

TR

IS

LI

NO

CH

Number oof hhotels

3 099 14 051 2 301 2 028 4 125

358

922

923 1 888 39 107

Number oof bbed pplaces iin hhotels ((1 0000)

192

573

178

Bed pplaces pper hhotel

62

41

77

Number oof hhotels

Number oof bbed pplaces iin hhotels

Number oof hhotels

Number oof bbed pplaces iin hhotels

1.5

1.7

1.5

1.8

7.0

5.0

-1.6

-0.4

1.1

1.5

8.0

6.8

264

130

226

55

31

87

58

63

118

128

201 1 256

107

32

Share oof iindividual ccountries oon tthe EEU-227 ttotal

1.0

2.3

2.1

2.0

0.2

0.3

0.5

0.5

0.5

1.0

0.9

1.7

19.5

10.9

Average aannual ggrowth rrate %% 22000-22006

2.1

2.9

8.5

2.1

-3.7

0.3

8.0

4.8

-1.5

-0.2

-2.6

0.1

1.1

1.9

762

163

214

0.4

1.4

0.6

-3.3

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

308

46 1 119

17

55

0.2

0.1

4.0

5.1

1

28

0.0

0.0

151

135

0.6

1.3

-1.4

-0.7

1.3

1.2

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

1) Includes the category "Other collective accommodation establishments". 2) Provisional code which does not prejudge in any way the definitive nomenclature for this country, which will be agreed
following the conclusion of negotiations currently taking place on this subject at the United Nations.

Regarding  the  dynamics  of  hotel  accommodation  supply
between 2000 and 2006, the “old” Member States with the
highest  increases  in  both  establishments  and  bed  places
over  the  period  analysed  were  Spain  and  Greece  (for
hotels:  +2.0%  and  +1.5%  on  average  each  year,
respectively; 
for  bed  places:  +3.5%  and  +2.2%
respectively)  The  new  Member  States  were  headed  by
Bulgaria, Latvia, Romania, Poland, Slovakia and Lithuania,
in  terms  of  both  establishments  (+13.0%,  +11.6%,
+8.5%, +8.0%, +8.0% and +6.9% respectively) and bed
places  (+9.7%,  +8.8%,  +2.1%,  +6.8%,  +4.8%  and

+11.0%  respectively).  In  contrast,  the  countries  that
recorded  a  decline  in  the  number  of  hotels  were  Malta 
(-5.7%  on  average  each  year),  Ireland  (-3.9%)  Slovenia 
(-3.7%), the United Kingdom (-2.6%), Luxembourg (-1.7%),
Austria (-1.6%) and Finland (-1.5%). As for bed places, the
highest  decrease  of  all  reporting  European  countries  was
recorded by Croatia (-3.4%). 

24

Panorama on Tourism

Panorama_tourism_2007_CH2.qxp  17/07/2008  10:32  Page 25

The average size of hotels and similar establishments in all
EU-27 countries increased in the reporting period. In 2000,
the average number of bed places in hotels amounted to
50  while  in  2006  it  was  57.  The  countries  recording  the
highest increases in the average number of bed places per
hotel  between  2000  and  2006  were  Malta  (from  166  to
228 bed places), Estonia (from 47 to 77), Slovenia (from
68 to 87), Norway (from 121 to 135), Lithuania (from 51
to 64), Finland (from 116 to 128), Ireland (from 25 to 34),
Sweden (from 99 to 107), the United Kingdom (from 24 to
32)  and  Spain  (from  81  to  88).  At  the  other  end  of  the
scale, the countries recording decreases in the average size
of  hotels  were  Croatia  (from  272  to  214  bed  places),
Bulgaria  (from  187  to  157),  Cyprus  (from  145  to  119),
Romania (from 79 to 55), Slovakia (from 75 to 63), Latvia
(from 72 to 61) and Poland (from 83 to 77). In the Czech
Republic  the  average  size  of  hotels  was  stable  (55  bed
places). 

Table  2.4  shows  the  average  gross  annual  occupancy  (or
rates  of  hotels  and  other  collective
utilisation) 
accommodation  in  each  European  country  in  2000  and
2006.  This  rate  is  based  on  the  number  of  bed  places
available  over  the  whole  or  at  least  part  of  the  year
(including seasonal closures) compared with the number of
nights spent by tourists (residents and non-residents) in the
same  period.  It  is  influenced  by  the  different  tourism
characteristics of each country.

For  a  given  number  of  bed  places,  therefore,  the  more
nights spent, the higher the occupancy rate. In addition, in
countries where hotels account for the majority of the local
tourism capacity (e.g. Cyprus, Malta, etc.), their occupancy
rates are generally higher than for hotels in other countries.

In  2006,  the  gross  annual  occupancy  rate  in  hotels  and
similar establishments in the EU-27 was 36.2% (37.8% in
2000).  The  countries  showing  the  highest  gross  annual
utilisation  of  hotels  were  Malta  (50.6%),  Ireland  (49.6%
versus  47.8%  in  2000),  Slovenia  (45.3%  versus  41.3%),
Spain (45.3% versus 47.3%), Cyprus (43.9% versus 56.4%)
and  Portugal  (39.0%  versus  41.5%).  On  the  other  hand,
values  well  below  the  average  were  recorded  in  Bulgaria
(20.9%), Romania (21.9%), Greece (22.4%), Liechtenstein
(24.9%), Luxembourg (26.1%) and Hungary (27.3%). 

Countries  with  the  highest  increases  in  gross  annual
occupancy  rates  between  2000  and  2006  were  Estonia
with +10.7%, Croatia with +9.9%, Lithuania with +9.4%,
Latvia with +4.9% and Slovenia with +4.0%. On the other
hand,  countries  with  the  largest  decreases  were  Cyprus 
(-12.5%),  the  United  Kingdom  (-10.6%),  Liechtenstein 
(-5.5%) and Greece (-5.0%). 

Taking into account the monthly utilisation of bed places in
hotels  in  2006  (Table  2.5),  the  summer  months  generally
showed  the  highest  hotel  utilisation  of  the  year,  because
Europeans are used to spending their holidays during this
period. 

TTOOUURRIISSTT AACCCCOOMMMMOODDAATTIIOONN

Table  2.4  -  Gross  annual  occupancy  rate  in  hotels  and
similar establishments, 2000 and 2006 (%)

2000

2006

EU-2271

BE

BG

CZ 

DK

DE

EE2

IE

EL

ES

FR

IT

CY

LV

LT

LU

HU

MT

NL

AT

PL

PT

RO

SI

SK 

FI

SE

UK

HR

MK3

TR

IS

LI

NO

CH

37.8

32.7

18.4

32.2

40.1

34.1

28.8

47.8

27.4

47.3

43.1

34.5

56.4

31.3

21.0

24.0

25.8

:

47.0

33.4

32.6

41.5

21.9

41.3

35.1

31.2

30.9

47.0

24.8

15.1

38.0

26.0

30.4

31.9

35.8

2

36.2

34.0

20.9

30.0

41.2

35.0

39.5

49.6

22.4

45.3

43.1

32.6

43.9

36.2

30.4

26.1

27.3

50.6

45.3

37.0

33.6

39.0

21.9

45.3

33.3

34.8

33.0

36.4

34.7

:

:

28.2

24.9

32.2

:

Note:  This  table  is  calculated  using  the  following  formula:  (total  nights/(total
bedplaces*365))*100.
1) Excludes MT. 2) For 2000, the category "Other collective accommodation" is included. 3)
Provisional  code  which  does  not  prejudge  in  any  way  the  definitive  nomenclature  for  this
country, which will be agreed following the conclusion of negotiations currently taking place
on this subject at the United Nations.

However, some distinctions need to be made. In countries
where  beach  tourism  dominates  (Greece,  Cyprus  and
Malta),  the  hotel  occupancy  rate  records  a  peak  between
June  and  September,  particularly  in  July  and  August.  On
the  other  hand,  in  countries  where  city  tourism,  cultural
tourism,  business  tourism,  etc.  (e.g.  France,  the  United
Kingdom,  Benelux,  Germany,  Switzerland,  etc.)  have  an
important  share  in  the  entire  tourism  market,  gross
utilisation is more distributed over the year, with peaks from
April/May  to  September/October,  which  were  in  general
lower than in beach tourism countries.

Panorama on Tourism

25

Panorama_tourism_2007_CH2.qxp  17/07/2008  10:32  Page 26

TTOOUURRIISSTT AACCCCOOMMMMOODDAATTIIOONN

Table 2.5 - Gross utilisation of bed places in hotels, 2006 (%)

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

2

EU-227

BE

BG

CZ

DK

DE

EE

IE1

EL

ES

FR

IT2

CY

LV

LT

LU

HU

MT

NL

AT

PL

PT

RO1

SI

SK

FI

SE

UK

HR

MK3

TR

IS1

LI

NO

CH4

:

22.6

20.9

26.2

25.0

23.1

24.0

31.0

25.2

24.0

28.7

18.9

14.3

23.5

18.9

18.1

7.1

27.7

29.1

47.9

26.0

20.5

21.2

35.4

32.7

30.5

23.1

27.0

14.0

:

:

15.6

27.8

23.4

31.5

:

28.9

20.9

30.9

28.0

26.6

28.0

39.0

28.9

28.9

34.3

21.8

16.3

23.8

21.2

21.3

7.8

34.0

33.9

57.4

28.5

26.4

28.4

34.3

38.7

36.8

28.2

34.0

19.8

:

:

22.8

31.4

30.6

39.0

:

29.4

20.9

30.1

33.0

27.5

34.0

40.0

32.5

32.7

36.0

25.5

22.6

25.0

24.3

23.8

9.7

37.9

37.0

45.5

31.0

30.4

29.1

39.0

32.3

38.9

30.6

35.0

20.4

:

:

25.8

28.7

31.9

36.9

:

37.1

28.6

33.9

36.0

31.8

38.0

49.0

32.6

43.7

44.8

25.0

35.6

30.0

28.7

28.3

13.0

49.6

50.2

28.8

32.8

42.6

26.5

39.8

28.2

33.9

29.7

45.0

31.5

:

:

28.3

20.1

26.1

27.1

:

37.7

28.6

36.2

45.0

38.0

43.0

46.0

49.8

47.4

45.4

30.6

51.5

37.3

34.0

32.6

15.0

53.0

50.7

24.0

39.4

42.1

30.7

45.4

33.7

30.5

33.5

46.0

40.5

:

:

34.5

22.6

26.4

25.5

:

38.3

28.6

36.1

52.0

39.6

51.0

52.0

68.2

57.0

51.4

44.6

65.0

40.6

43.1

32.6

19.0

61.0

52.0

34.2

42.7

45.7

32.7

53.9

37.4

38.5

34.2

51.0

66.5

:

:

47.1

24.8

41.2

34.4

:

39.3

45.7

38.9

66.0

39.7

63.0

57.0

83.0

65.4

55.7

55.3

72.8

51.1

45.8

32.5

27.0

77.6

52.7

44.7

41.6

52.7

44.6

61.9

42.0

49.5

48.9

58.0

86.0

:

:

67.3

29.9

52.4

42.5

:

40.4

45.7

42.9

61.0

41.9

57.0

62.0

89.9

72.3

59.3

62.7

83.4

59.5

46.2

33.4

28.0

82.8

56.8

51.3

44.6

66.7

49.9

70.0

45.6

40.7

43.6

61.0

88.7

:

:

60.1

27.8

46.4

46.5

:

39.6

45.7

38.1

51.0

44.9

44.0

53.0

73.4

60.6

51.2

42.0

66.2

36.4

37.7

33.7

17.0

63.8

53.8

38.6

44.2

51.5

35.8

56.8

38.8

38.5

36.3

56.0

63.4

:

:

39.7

25.8

34.3

38.1

:

36.5

13.7

35.3

43.0

38.5

40.0

46.0

44.3

46.9

41.5

26.5

57.2

35.7

30.1

30.4

13.0

55.8

48.4

25.3

38.6

40.2

35.1

46.1

32.3

34.5

32.3

47.0

28.6

:

:

32.8

21.4

27.6

27.8

:

32.6

13.7

26.8

41.0

29.0

36.0

39.0

30.8

29.3

32.8

15.9

23.7

33.0

24.9

27.9

9.3

38.0

41.9

15.2

32.1

26.7

34.6

35.8

25.7

34.1

31.9

40.0

17.4

:

:

25.5

20.2

28.0

17.8

:

31.3

13.7

25.3

29.0

27.0

33.0

38.0

31.1

25.7

32.3

17.1

14.2

31.3

25.9

20.3

8.4

30.5

36.5

32.5

27.3

24.1

24.4

35.6

23.2

31.1

23.7

39.0

14.9

:

:

18.3

18.5

20.2

:

1) Net utilisation. 2) 2005 data. 3)  Provisional code which does not prejudge in any way the definitive nomenclature for this country, which will be agreed following the conclusion of negotiations
currently taking place on this subject at the United Nations. 4) 2003 data.

Austria  has  double  seasonality  in  that  it  combines  cultural
tourism  with  mountain  tourism  and  winter  sports.  Its  gross
utilisation has two peaks, one in summer (July/August) and
one  in  winter  (January  to  March).  Italy's  hotels  are  also  a
special  case.  They  have  a  lower  gross  monthly  utilisation
rate  than  other  countries  offering  similar  tourism  products
(e.g.  France),  with  a  peak  in  July  and  August.  This  is
probably  due  to  the  high  fragmentation  of  the  local  hotel
supply,  which 
in  seasonal
destinations  (e.g.  beach  resorts,  mountain  resorts,  spa
resorts, etc.) where establishments are only open for some
months of the year (from 90 to 180 days). 

is  mainly  concentrated 

Looking at eastern and northern European countries, gross
utilisation  also  depends  on  climatic  conditions.  In  other
words,  although  cultural  and  city  tourism  is  the  main
motivation  for  trips  to  these  countries,  the  majority  of
tourists  prefer  to  visit  them  during  periods  with  mild

temperatures. For example, Poland and Estonia recorded a
peak  from  May  to  July/September,  Finland,  Sweden  and
Norway  (no  2006  data  available  yet)  from  June  to
September.

Table 2.6 presents the number and evolution of nights spent
in  hotels  and  other  accommodation  establishments  in
almost all European countries in 2000 and 2006. 

In 2006, about 66% of total nights in the EU-27 were spent
in hotels (1.3 bn) and about 34% in other accommodation
establishments  (about  780  million),  including  15.5%  in
campsites  and  8.6%  in  holiday  dwellings.  The  six-year
period saw only a small increase in the share of nights spent
in hotels. In the group of other collective accommodation,
there  was  a  slight  increase  in  the  share  of  nights  spent  in
campsites (from 14.9% in 2000 to 15.5% in 2006) at the
expense of holiday dwellings (from 9.4% to 8.6%). 

26

Panorama on Tourism

Panorama_tourism_2007_CH2.qxp  17/07/2008  10:32  Page 27

TTOOUURRIISSTT AACCCCOOMMMMOODDAATTIIOONN

Table 2.6 - Nights spent in European countries, 2000 and 2006 (1 000)

2000

EU-227

BE

BG

CZ 

DK

DE

EE1

IE

EL

ES

FR

IT

CY

LV

LT

LU

HU

MT

Total2

2 145 657 29 215

8 554 44 199 25 165 298 488 1 712 29 657 62 186 344 664 284 646 338 885 17 419 1 484 1 406 2 596 20 430

Hotels aand ssimilar eestab.2 1 430 563 14 229

8 140 25 574

9 200 198 070 1 712 24 160 60 840 227 144 191 073 233 613 17 388 1 360

882 1 263 13 541

Other ccollect. aaccomm.3

715 094 14 986

414 18 625 15 965 100 418

- TTourist ccampsites4

320 637

3 699

209

3 232 10 798

21 037

- HHoliday ddwellings5

200 718

6 746

:

879

4 073

30 018

:

:

:

5 497

1 346 117 520

93 573 105 272

31

124

524 1 333

6 889

2 414

1 346

28 108

93 573

61 478

:

:

89 412

:

28 486

:

:

22

90

19 1 041

2 173

459

140

950

Total

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0 100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0

100.0

Hotels aand ssimilar eestab.

Other ccollect. aaccomm.6

- TTourist ccampsites

- HHoliday ddwellings

66.7

33.3

14.9

9.4

48.7

51.3

12.7

23.1

95.2

4.8

2.4

:

57.9

42.1

7.3

2.0

36.6

63.4

42.9

16.2

66.4 100.0

33.6

7.0

10.1

:

:

:

81.5

18.5

8.1

:

97.8

2.2

2.2

:

65.9

34.1

8.2

25.9

67.1

32.9

32.9

:

68.9

31.1

18.1

8.4

99.8

91.6 62.7 48.7

0.2

8.4 37.3 51.3

:

:

1.5

1.4 40.1

6.1 32.6

5.4

66.3

33.7

10.6

4.7

% ddistribution oof ttotal

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

2006

EU-227

BE

BG

CZ 

DK

DE

EE

IE

EL

ES

FR

IT

CY

LV

LT

LU

HU

MT

Total

2 304 499 29 371 17 355 41 448 27 267 351 224 4 543 33 655 57 797 379 276 297 482 366 764 14 438 3 114 2 936 2 611 19 652

7 407

Hotels aand ssimilar eestab. 1 524 990 15 371 16 118 25 889 10 647 208 176 3 761 26 812 56 708 267 028 197 420 248 255 14 341 2 600 2 385 1 361 15 808

7 290

2

Other ccollect. aaccomm.

779 509 14 000

1 237 15 559 16 620 143 048

782

6 843

1 089 112 248 100 062 118 509

- TTourist ccampsites2

- HHoliday ddwellings7

356 564

3 141

101

3 239 11 698

21 546

234

2 676

1 089

31 879 100 062

62 997

197 074

5 123

514

939

3 686

29 264

119

:

:

72 931

:

32 906

97

17

81

% ddistribution oof ttotal

514

182

551 1 250

3 844

117

65

972

1 456

89

395

110

932

:

:

Total

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0 100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0

100.0

100.0

Hotels aand ssimilar eestab.

Other ccollect. aaccomm.

- TTourist ccampsites

- HHoliday ddwellings

Total

Hotels aand ssimilar eestab.

Other ccollect. aaccomm.

- TTourist ccampsites

- HHoliday ddwellings

66.2

33.8

15.5

8.6

1.2

1.1

1.4

1.8

-0.3

52.3

47.7

10.7

17.4

0.1

1.3

-1.1

-2.7

-4.5

92.9

7.1

0.6

3.0

12.5

12.1

20.0

-11.4

:

62.5

37.5

7.8

2.3

-1.1

0.2

-3.0

0.0

1.1

39.0

61.0

42.9

13.5

1.3

2.5

0.7

1.3

59.3

40.7

6.1

8.3

82.8

17.2

5.2

2.6

79.7

20.3

8.0

:

98.1

1.9

1.9

:

70.4

29.6

8.4

19.2

Average aannual ggrowth rrate %% 22000-22006

2.7

0.8

6.1

0.4

17.7

14.0

:

:

:

2.1

1.8

3.7

1.7

:

-1.2

-1.2

-3.5

-3.5

:

1.6

2.7

-0.8

2.1

-3.3

-1.7

-0.4

66.4

33.6

33.6

:

0.7

0.5

1.1

1.1

:

67.7

32.3

17.2

9.0

1.3

1.0

2.0

0.4

2.4

99.3

83.5 81.2 52.1

0.7

0.1

0.6

16.5 18.8 47.9

5.8

2.2 37.2

2.9 13.5

4.2

-3.1

-3.2

13.1 13.1

11.4 18.0

20.9

26.7

0.8

0.1

1.3

-1.1

-1.1

42.2 22.8

-0.2

-2.5

-3.9

80.4

19.6

7.4

4.7

-0.6

2.6

-9.3

-6.5

-0.3

98.4

1.6

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

2000

NL

AT

PL

PT

RO

SI

SK 

FI

SE

UK

HR

MK8

TR

IS

LI

NO

CH

Total

81 263 90 711 48 794 41 956 17 647

6 509 10 464 16 042 39 809 281 756

30 858 1 420

: 1 736

186 24 271 68 777

Hotels aand ssimilar eestab.

29 722 71 649 14 297 33 795 15 947

4 618 5 604 13 347 21 264 192 131

18 074

882 44 728 1 186

133 16 365 33 928

Other ccollect. aaccomm.

51 541 19 062 34 497

8 161

1 700

1 891 4 860

2 695 18 545

89 625

- TTourist ccampsites

19 628

4 603

1 164

6 970

267

- HHoliday ddwellings

28 202

5 277

1 379

:

:

954

390

495

2 122 13 951

41 334

12 784

10 740

538

148

:

258

550

326

46

53

7 906 34 849

:

7 148

7 128

30

401 18 825

301

453

3 463

:

815

: 7 911

% ddistribution oof ttotal

Total

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0 100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0 100.0

: 100.0 100.0

100.0

100.0

Hotels aand ssimilar eestab.

Other ccollect. aaccomm.

- TTourist ccampsites

- HHoliday ddwellings

36.6

63.4

24.2

34.7

79.0

21.0

5.1

5.8

29.3

70.7

2.4

2.8

80.5

19.5

16.6

:

90.4

9.6

1.5

:

70.9

29.1

14.7

6.0

53.6

46.4

4.7

2.9

83.2

16.8

13.2

2.8

53.4

46.6

35.0

8.7

68.2

31.8

14.7

:

58.6

41.4

34.8

2.6

62.1

37.9

10.4

2006

NL

AT

PL

PT

RO

SI

SK 

FI

SE

UK

HR

MK8

Total

83 943 98 130 51 235 45 521 18 992

7 448 11 012 18 168 47 697 266 013

Hotels aand ssimilar eestab.

31 759 77 391 21 820 37 566 18 098

5 147 7 054 15 014 24 210 166 961

Other ccollect. aaccomm.

52 184 20 739 29 415

7 955

- TTourist ccampsites

21 251

4 669

672

6 832

- HHoliday ddwellings

26 813

6 582

925

:

894

224

:

2 301 3 958

3 154 23 487

99 052

1 054

412

2 257 17 542

60 297

579

359

756

3 391

10 580

% ddistribution oof ttotal

Total

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0 100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

Hotels aand ssimilar eestab.

Other ccollect. aaccomm.

- TTourist ccampsites

- HHoliday ddwellings

Total

Hotels aand ssimilar eestab.

Other ccollect. aaccomm.

- TTourist ccampsites

- HHoliday ddwellings

37.8

62.2

25.3

31.9

0.5

1.1

0.2

1.3

-0.8

78.9

21.1

4.8

6.7

1.3

1.3

1.4

0.2

3.8

42.6

57.4

1.3

1.8

0.8

7.3

-2.6

-8.7

-6.4

82.5

17.5

15.0

:

1.4

1.8

-0.4

-0.3

:

95.3

4.7

1.2

:

1.2

2.1

-10.2

-2.9

:

69.1

30.9

14.2

7.8

64.1

32.9

3.7

3.3

82.6

17.4

12.4

4.2

50.8

49.2

36.8

7.1

62.8

37.2

22.7

4.0

Average aannual ggrowth rrate %% 22000-22006

2.3

1.8

3.3

1.7

6.8

0.9

3.9

-3.4

-3.0

3.0

2.1

2.0

2.7

1.0

8.9

3.1

2.2

4.0

3.9

-0.3

-1.0

-2.3

1.7

6.5

:

37 345

20 693

16 652

12 634

573

100.0

55.4

44.6

33.8

1.5

3.2

2.3

4.5

2.7

-5.7

: 68.3 71.5

: 31.7 28.5

: 18.8

:

:

2.6 16.1

67.4

32.6

29.5

1.7

49.3

50.7

10.4

27.4

TR

IS

LI

NO

CH

: 2 411

170 27 489

: 1 728

118 17 755

:

:

:

683

402

83

52

15

24

9 734

8 120

1 267

: 100.0 100.0

100.0

: 71.7 69.4

: 28.3 30.6

: 16.7

8.8

:

:

:

:

:

3.4 14.1

5.6

6.5

3.7

3.6

-1.5

-2.0

-0.3

:

64.6

35.4

29.5

4.6

2.1

1.4

3.5

2.1

: 10.3

-3.7

21.1 :

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

1) The category "Other collective accommodation" is included in "Hotels and similar establishments". 2) EU-27 excluding MT. 3) EU-27 excluding EE and MT. 4) EU-27 excluding EE, CY and MT. 5)
EU-27 excluding BG, EE, IE, FR, CY, MT, PT, RO and UK. 6) The share is calculated from the total. The category "Other collective accommodation n.e.c.", which is an additional subcategory of "Other
collect. accomm.",  is not shown due to its heterogeneous structure in the different countries. 7) EU-27 excluding IE, EL, FR, MT, PT and RO. 8) Provisional code which does not prejudge in any way
the definitive nomenclature for this country, which will be agreed following the conclusion of negotiations currently taking place on this subject at the United Nations. 

Panorama on Tourism

27

Panorama_tourism_2007_CH2.qxp  17/07/2008  10:32  Page 28

TTOOUURRIISSTT AACCCCOOMMMMOODDAATTIIOONN

The  “old”  Member  States  with  the  highest  percentages  of
total  nights  spent  in  hotels  in  2006  were  Greece  (56.7
million,  98.1%  of  total  nights),  Portugal  (37.6  million,
82.5%),  Ireland  (26.8  million,  79.7%),  Austria  (77.4
million, 78.9%), Spain (267.0 million, 70.4%), Italy (248.3
million, 67.7%) and France (197.0 million, 66.4%).

In  Ireland,  Greece  and  Austria,  much  of  this  consists  of  a
rather  high  concentration  of  accommodation  supply  in
hotels, while in Spain, France, Italy and Portugal, the share
of  bed  places  in  hotels  was  lower  with  52.5%,  21.9%,
46.4% and 58.0% respectively (see Table 2.2). Comparing
these  figures  with  the  share  of  nights  in  the  same
establishments  (70.4%,  66.4%,  67.7%  and  82.5%
respectively)  confirms  that  the  utilisation  of  bed  places  in
hotels  in  these  countries  (except  France)  was  higher  than
that in other collective accommodation.

In other countries, e.g. Belgium, Sweden and Luxembourg,
in  hotels  and  other
the  share  of  nights  spent 
is  more  balanced.
accommodation  establishments 
Regarding  eastern  Europe,  the  majority  of  nights  spent  in
these  countries  are  concentrated  in  hotels,  which  are  the
main form of local accommodation supply (see Table 2.2).
The only exception is Poland, where 57.4% of total nights
were spent in other accommodation establishments, which
accounted for 69.0% of total accommodation supply.

2

The  trend  between  2000  and  2006  showed  a  small
increase  of  nights  spent  in  the  EU-27  in  both  hotels  and
other  collective  accommodation  (+1.1%  and  +1.4%  on
average each year). Looking at individual countries, eastern
European  countries  are  the  ones  where  nights  spent  in
hotels showed the highest increase over the period analysed
(e.g.  Lithuania  +18.0%  on  average  each  year,  Estonia
+14.0%,  Bulgaria  +12.1%  and  Latvia  +11.4%).  On  the
contrary, Cyprus, the United Kingdom and Greece recorded
the  largest  decreases  of  nights  in  hotels  over  the  same
period (-3.2%, -2.3% and -1.2% respectively). 

As  for  other  collective  accommodation,  the  countries  with
the  highest  growth  in  nights  spent  in  those  establishments
were  Latvia  (+26.7%  on  average  each  year),  Cyprus
(+20.9%),  Bulgaria  (+20.0%)  and  Germany  (+6.1%).
Romania (-10.2% on average each year), Hungary (-9.3%),
Greece (-3.5%), Slovakia (-3.4%) and the Czech Republic 
(-3.0%) recorded the most significant decreases.

28

Panorama on Tourism

Panorama_tourism_2007_CH3.qxp  17/07/2008  10:33  Page 29

CHAPTER 3 - THE TRAVEL PATTERNS
OF EUROPEAN TOURISTS

Panorama_tourism_2007_CH3.qxp  17/07/2008  10:33  Page 30

Panorama_tourism_2007_CH3.qxp  17/07/2008  10:33  Page 31

TTHHEE TTRRAAVVEELL PPAATTTTEERRNNSS OOFF EEUURROOPPEEAANN TTOOUURRIISSTTSS

3. TTHE TRAVEL PATTERNS OF EUROPEAN TTOURISTS

This chapter describes the evolution of travel behaviour of
European tourists by country of origin, both in general and
in more detail, distinguishing between domestic tourism and
outbound tourism. For some of the new Member States and
for  all  Candidate  countries,  data  availability  is  not  yet
sufficient for a detailed analysis.

Table  3.1  shows  the  total  number  of  trips  (domestic  and
outbound)  made  by  all  tourists  (leisure  and  business)
resident  in  EU-27  countries  for  both  2000  and  2006,
broken down by short (1-3 nights) and long trips (4 nights
and more).

Table 3.1 - Total trips (leisure and business) by length of stay, 2000 and 2006 (1 000)

22000000

EEUU-2277

BBEE1

BBGG

CCZZ 

DDKK

DDEE

EEEE

IIEE1

EELL

EESS

FFRR

IITT

CCYY

LLVV

LLTT

LLUU

HHUU

MMTT

TToottaall

11-33 nniigghhttss

44 nniigghhttss ++ mmoorree

: 9 759

: 3 549

: 6 210

:

:

:

: 10 025 142 694

:

:

5 600

30 203

4 425 112 491

:

:

:

7 603

6 880 123 144 163 758 77 336

4 002

1 858

93 818

85 913 38 042

3 601

5 022

29 326

77 845 39 294

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

994

371

623

:

:

:

22000066

EEUU-2277

BBEE

BBGG

CCZZ 

DDKK

DDEE

EEEE

IIEE

EELL

EESS

FFRR

IITT

CCYY

LLVV

LLTT

LLUU

HHUU

MMTT

TToottaall

11-33 nniigghhttss

44 nniigghhttss ++ mmoorree

TToottaall

11-33 nniigghhttss

44 nniigghhttss ++ mmoorree

TToottaall

11-33 nniigghhttss

44 nniigghhttss ++ mmoorree

: 10 793

: 3 777

: 7 016

:

:

:

2.0

1.3

2.5

: 100.0

:

:

35.0

65.0

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

: 30 548 12 933 186 754 1 032 11 311 17 205 140 816 198 235 92 061

: 5 230 4 274 1 365 25 762

: 20 587

6 566

71 756

9 961

6 367 114 998

700

332

6 075

8 080

91 951 110 796 47 373

: 4 153 2 942

639 18 782

5 236

9 125

48 865

87 439 44 688

: 1 077 1 332

726

6 980

AAvveerraaggee aannnnuuaall ggrroowwtthh rraattee %% 22000000-220000662

:

:

:

4.3

2.7

6.3

4.6

15.5

0.4

:

:

:

8.3

8.7

7.8

16.5

27.8

10.5

%% ddiissttrriibbuuttiioonn 22000066

2.3

-0.3

8.9

3.2

4.3

2.0

2.9

3.7

2.2

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

5.4

9.5

2.6

:

:

:

100.0

100.0

100.0 100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

: 100.0 100.0 100.0

100.0

67.4

32.6

50.8

49.2

38.4

61.6

67.8

32.2

53.7

46.3

47.0

53.0

65.3

34.7

55.9

44.1

51.5

48.5

22000000

NNLL

AATT

PPLL

PPTT

RROO

SSII

SSKK 

FFII

SSEE

UUKK

HHRR

MMKK3

TToottaall

11-33 nniigghhttss

44 nniigghhttss ++ mmoorree

: 19 581

: 10 393

: 9 188

: 11 729

:

:

7 612

4 117

:

:

:

:

:

:

: 26 843

: 21 110

:

5 733

: 175 500

:

:

90 600

84 900

22000066

NNLL

AATT

PPLL

PPTT

RROO

SSII

SSKK 

FFII

SSEE

UUKK

HHRR

TToottaall

11-33 nniigghhttss

: 20 360 44 411 11 757

7 210

5 424 9 076 32 341

: 141 118

: 10 616 23 700

7 215

3 707

3 456 3 899 25 033

44 nniigghhttss ++ mmoorree

: 9 744 20 711

4 542

3 503

1 968 5 177

7 308

:

:

74 563

66 555

AAvveerraaggee aannnnuuaall ggrroowwtthh rraattee %% 22000000-22000066

TToottaall

11-33 nniigghhttss

44 nniigghhttss ++ mmoorree

:

:

:

0.7

0.4

1.0

:

:

:

0.0

-0.9

1.7

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

3.2

2.9

4.1

%% ddiissttrriibbuuttiioonn 22000066

TToottaall

11-33 nniigghhttss

44 nniigghhttss ++ mmoorree

: 100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0 100.0

100.0

:

:

52.1

47.9

53.4

46.6

61.4

38.6

51.4

48.6

63.7

36.3

43.0

57.0

77.4

22.6

:

:

:

:

:

:

-3.6

-3.2

-4.0

100.0

52.8

47.2

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

79.4

68.8

46.8

20.6

31.2

53.2

72.9

27.1

TTRR

IISS

LLII

NNOO

CCHH

TTRR

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

IISS

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

LLII

NNOO

CCHH

: 21 988

: 14 235

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

7 753

:

:

:

100.0

64.7

35.3

MMKK3

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

3

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

1) 2001 data. 2) Average annual growth rate 2001-2006 for BE and IE. 3) Provisional code which does not prejudge in any way the definitive nomenclature for this country, which will be agreed
following the conclusion of negotiations currently taking place on this subject at the United Nations.

In most countries for which data are available, the majority
of tourists opted for short trips (1-3 nights), a growing trend
since  2000.  In  2006,  the  proportion  of  short  trips  in  the
“old” Member States ranged from a low of 35.0% of total
trips by Belgian tourists (2001 data) to a high of 77.4% for
Finnish tourists. Including countries with a large population
like Spain, France and Italy, more than 50.0% of total trips
made by residents were for not more than 3 nights, with a
peak of 65.3% for Spanish tourists. 

A similar trend is reflected in new Member States for which
data  are  available.  In  2006,  most  tourist  trips  made  by
residents were short trips, with a share ranging from a low
of  51.4%  of  total  trips  for  Romanian  tourists  to  a  high  of
79.4% for Latvian tourists. Slovakia was the only exception,
recording a share of 43.0% of short trips in all trips.

Panorama on Tourism

31

Panorama_tourism_2007_CH3.qxp  17/07/2008  10:33  Page 32

3

TTHHEE TTRRAAVVEELL PPAATTTTEERRNNSS OOFF EEUURROOPPEEAANN TTOOUURRIISSTTSS

Looking at the dynamics of 2000 to 2006, the increase in
short  trips  was  generally  more  pronounced  than  for  long
trips.  Greece  (+27.8%  on  average  each  year),  Germany
(+15.5%), Luxembourg (+9.5%), Ireland (+8.7%, 2001 to
2006  data)  and  France  (+4.3%)  recorded  the  highest
growth  rates  for  1-3  night  trips.  On  the  other  hand,  a
decrease  was  shown  for  trips  made  by  residents  in  the
United  Kingdom  (-3.2%  on  average  each  year),  Portugal 
(-0.9%)  and  Spain  (-0.3%).  Long  trips  recorded  good
growth in Greece (+10.5% on average each year), Spain
(+8.9%),  Ireland  (+7.8%,  2001  to  2006  data)  and
Denmark (+6.3%).

For  Belgian,  Danish,  Austrian  and  Finnish  tourists  the
number of long trips of 4 nights or more increased more in
comparison to short trips (+2.5% versus +1.3% on average
each  year,  +6.3%  versus  +2.7%,  +1.0%  versus  0.4%,
+4.1%  versus  +2.9%,  respectively).  For  Spanish  and
Portuguese tourists, 1-3 night trips decreased while trips of

4  and  more  nights  increased  (-0.3%  versus  +8.9%  and 
-0.9% versus +1.7% respectively). The United Kingdom was
the only country (of those for which data are available) to
record  a  decline  in  both  the  number  of  long  trips  (-4.0%)
and short trips (-3.2% on average per year).

As  can  be  seen  from  the  number  of  nights  spent  both  at
home and abroad by all tourists living in EU-27 countries
(Table 3.2), the majority were spent on trips of 4 nights and
more,  with  proportions  ranging  from  56.4%  for  Finns  to
91.4%  for  Belgians.  Rather  high  percentages  (more  than
80.0%)  were  also  recorded  for  tourists  coming  from  both
the main tourism destinations (Greece 86.6%, Italy 85.4%
and  France  80.9%)  and  the  main  countries  of  origin  of
international tourism (e.g. Germany 90.4% and the United
Kingdom 81.7%). In the new Member States, the share of
nights spent on long trips ranged from a low of 57.9% for
Latvian tourists to a high of 84.1% for Slovak tourists.

Table 3.2 - Total nights spent by tourists from European countries by length of stay, 2000 and 2006 (1 000)

22000000

EEUU-2277

BBEE1

BBGG

CCZZ 

DDKK

DDEE

EEEE

IIEE1

EELL

EESS

FFRR

IITT

CCYY

LLVV

LLTT

LLUU

HHUU MMTT

TToottaall

11-33 nniigghhttss

: 78 819

:

7 108

44 nniigghhttss ++ mmoorree

: 71 711

:

:

:

: 60 739 1 371 948

: 43 963 65 963 560 426

934 948 547 404

: 12 293

70 831

:

8 034

3 993 176 337

157 942 69 697

: 48 446 1 301 117

: 35 929 61 970 384 089

777 006 477 707

:

:

:

:

:

:

: 7 620

:

739

: 6 881

:

:

:

:

:

:

22000066

EEUU-2277

BBEE

BBGG

CCZZ 

DDKK

DDEE

EEEE

IIEE

EELL

EESS

FFRR

IITT

CCYY

LLVV

LLTT

LLUU

HHUU MMTT

TToottaall

11-33 nniigghhttss

: 88 875

:

7 613

: 122 779 69 988 1 326 827

3991 61 698 126 852 642 091 1 046 559 602 679

: 16 811 19 652 8 496 87 091

: 39 206 13 381

127 730

1200 11 969 16 936 182 380

200 333 88 054

: 7 071 5 088 1 274 35 619

44 nniigghhttss ++ mmoorree

: 81 262

: 83 573 56 607 1 199 097

2791 49 729 109 916 459 711

846 226 514 625

: 9 740 14 564 7 222 51 472

TToottaall

11-33 nniigghhttss

44 nniigghhttss ++ mmoorree

TToottaall

11-33 nniigghhttss

44 nniigghhttss ++ mmoorree

:

:

:

:

:

:

2.4

1.4

2.5

100.0

8.6

91.4

:

:

:

:

:

:

AAvveerraaggee aannnnuuaall ggrroowwtthh rraattee %% 22000000-220000662

:

:

:

2.4

1.4

2.6

-0.6

10.3

-1.4

:

:

:

7.0

8.3

6.7

11.5

27.2

10.0

2.3

0.6

3.0

1.9

4.0

1.4

1.6

4.0

1.2

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

1.8

9.5

0.8

:

:

:

%% ddiissttrriibbuuttiioonn 22000066

100.0 100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

: 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0

31.9

68.1

19.1

80.9

9.6

90.4

30.1

69.9

19.4

80.6

13.4

86.6

28.4

71.6

19.1

80.9

14.6

85.4

:

:

42.1

57.9

25.9

15.0

74.1

85.0

40.9

59.1

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

22000000

NNLL

AATT

PPLL

PPTT

RROO

SSII

SSKK 

FFII

SSEE

UUKK

HHRR

MMKK3

TTRR

IISS

LLII

NNOO CCHH

TToottaall

11-33 nniigghhttss

: 104 221

: 19 249

44 nniigghhttss ++ mmoorree

: 84 972

: 57 338

: 13 276

: 44 062

:

:

:

:

:

:

: 95 311

: 46 932

: 48 379

: 956 500

: 184 200

: 772 300

22000066

NNLL

AATT

PPLL

PPTT

RROO

SSII

SSKK 

FFII

SSEE

UUKK

HHRR

TToottaall

11-33 nniigghhttss

: 105 191 264 638 61 948 39 954

22 657 50 471 100 724

: 20 678 43 357 12 735 7 766

6 477 8 001 43 961

44 nniigghhttss ++ mmoorree

: 84 513 221 281 49 213 32 188

16 180 42 470 56 763

: 774 446

: 141 412

: 633 034

AAvveerraaggee aannnnuuaall ggrroowwtthh rraattee %% 22000000-22000066

TToottaall

11-33 nniigghhttss

44 nniigghhttss ++ mmoorree

TToottaall

11-33 nniigghhttss

44 nniigghhttss ++ mmoorree

:

:

:

:

:

:

0.2

1.2

-0.1

:

:

:

1.3

-0.7

1.9

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

0.9

-1.1

2.7

%% ddiissttrriibbuuttiioonn 22000066

100.0

100.0

100.0 100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

19.7

80.3

16.4

83.6

20.6

79.4

19.4

80.6

28.6

71.4

15.9

84.1

43.6

56.4

:

:

:

:

:

:

-3.5

-4.3

-3.3

100.0

18.3

81.7

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

MMKK3

TTRR

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

IISS

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

LLII

NNOO CCHH

: 61 255

: 20 120

: 41 135

:

:

:

:

:

:

: 100.0

:

:

32.8

67.2

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

1) 2001 data. 2) Average annual growth rate 2001-2006 for BE and IE. 3) Provisional code which does not prejudge in any way the definitive nomenclature for this country, which will be agreed
following the conclusion of negotiations currently taking place on this subject at the United Nations.

32

Panorama on Tourism

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TTHHEE TTRRAAVVEELL PPAATTTTEERRNNSS OOFF EEUURROOPPEEAANN TTOOUURRIISSTTSS

In  general,  short  trips  showed  stronger  growth  than  long
trips, also in terms of nights. This confirms the market trend
towards  shorter  stays  and  an  increase  in  the  number  of
"multi-holidays".  In  particular,  the  total  number  of  nights
spent  on  such  trips  by  tourists  from  countries  where  the
growth in the number of 1-3 night trips was higher than that
for  trips  of  4  nights  or  more  (Germany,  Ireland,  Greece,
France, Italy and Luxembourg) generally followed the same
trend.  For  example,  tourist  trips  of  1-3  nights  made  by
residents  in  Germany  (for  leisure  purposes  only)  rose  by
+15.5%  on  annual  average  between  2000  and  2006.
Over the same period, the nights spent on such trips also
increased  by  +10.3%.  The  same  applies  to  Irish,  Greek,
French,  Italian  and  Luxembourg  tourists,  although  Italian
and  Luxembourg  residents  had  slightly  lower  annual
average  increases.  On  the  other  hand,  trips  of  1-3  nights
made by Finnish tourists increased by +2.9% on average,
while nights spent on these trips declined by -1.1% over the
same period, revealing a decrease in the average duration
of such trips. 

Table  3.3  shows  the  evolution  of  the  average  duration  of
trips  by  length  of  stay.  Looking  at  European  countries  for
which data are available, in 2006 the average duration of
a  trip  (both  domestic  and  outbound,  for  holiday  and
business purposes) covered a span from 3.1 nights for Finns
to 8.2 nights for Belgian tourists. As mentioned above, this
average value depends on the breakdown of total trips into
1-3  night  trips  and  long  trips  made  by  residents  in  each
country, in terms of both the number of trips and the nights
spent.  For  example,  short  trips  made  by  Finnish  tourists
made up about 77% of total trips but only around 44% of
total nights. In Germany, 1-3 night trips made by residents
accounted  for  only  38.4%  of  total  trips  and  9.6%  of  total
nights.

3

Table 3.3 - Total trips by length of stay: average duration of trip, 2000 and 2006 (nights)

22000000

EEUU-2277

BBEE1

BBGG

CCZZ 

DDKK

DDEE

EEEE

IIEE1

EELL

EESS

FFRR

IITT

CCYY

LLVV

LLTT

LLUU

HHUU

MMTT

8.1

2.0

11.5

BBEE

BBGG

8.2

2.0

11.6

AATT

PPLL

5.3

1.9

9.2

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

TToottaall

11-33 nniigghhttss

44 nniigghhttss ++ mmoorree

22000066

EEUU-2277

TToottaall

11-33 nniigghhttss

44 nniigghhttss ++ mmoorree

22000000

NNLL

TToottaall

11-33 nniigghhttss

44 nniigghhttss ++ mmoorree

22000066

NNLL

TToottaall

11-33 nniigghhttss

44 nniigghhttss ++ mmoorree

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

6.1

2.2

9.6

2.3

10.9

11.6

:

:

:

5.8

2.0

9.6

2.1

4.6

1.9

5.7

1.8

7.1

1.8

10.0

12.3

13.1

10.0

12.2

CCZZ 

DDKK

DDEE

EEEE

IIEE

EELL

EESS

FFRR

IITT

CCYY

4.0

1.9

8.4

5.4

2.0

8.9

7.1

1.8

10.4

3.9

1.7

8.4

5.5

2.0

9.5

7.4

2.1

12.0

4.6

2.0

9.4

5.3

1.8

9.7

6.5

1.9

11.5

PPTT

RROO

SSII

SSKK 

FFII

SSEE

UUKK

HHRR

MMKK2

4.9

1.7

10.7

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

3.6

2.2

8.4

AATT

PPLL

PPTT

RROO

SSII

SSKK 

FFII

SSEE

5.2

1.9

8.7

6.0

1.8

5.3

1.8

10.7

10.8

5.5

2.1

9.2

4.2

1.9

8.2

5.6

2.1

8.2

3.1

1.8

7.8

:

:

:

:

:

:

5.5

2.0

9.1

UUKK

HHRR

5.5

1.9

9.5

:

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:

MMKK2

:

:

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7.7

2.0

11.0

:

:

:

LLVV

LLTT

LLUU

HHUU

MMTT

3.2

1.7

9.0

4.6

1.7

10.9

6.2

2.0

9.9

3.4

1.9

7.4

TTRR

IISS

LLII

NNOO

CCHH

TTRR

:

:

:

:

:

:

IISS

:

:

:

:

:

:

LLII

:

:

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:

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NNOO

CCHH

2.8

1.4

5.3

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

1) 2001 data. 2) Provisional code which does not prejudge in any way the definitive nomenclature for this country, which will be agreed following the conclusion of negotiations currently taking place
on this subject at the United Nations.

Looking  at  1-3  night  trips,  in  2006,  their  average  length
ranged  from  a  minimum  of  1.4  nights  for  Norwegian
tourists to a maximum of 2.1 nights for Greek, Slovak and
Romanian residents (leisure trips only). In the Baltic States,
tourists spend about 1.7 nights on average on short trips.
As for long trips (4 nights and more), the minimum recorded
in  the  “old”  Member  States  was  7.8  nights  for  Finnish
tourists  and  the  maximum  12.0  nights  for  Greeks  (Table
3.3). In the new Member States, the range went from 7.4
nights for Hungarian tourists to 10.9 nights for Lithuanian
tourists. 

Comparing  2000  and  2006,  9  of  the  13  “old”  Member
States for which data are available recorded a decrease in
the  duration  of  trips  of  4  nights  or  more  made  by  tourists

from those countries. This was particularly true of Spaniards
(from 13.1 to 9.4 nights), Danes (from 10.9 to 8.9 nights),
Germans  (from  11.6  to  10.4  nights  for  leisure  trips  only),
Italians  (from  12.2  to  11.5  nights)  and  tourists  from
Luxembourg  (from  11.0  to  9.9  nights).  Only  tourists  from
the United Kingdom slightly increased the duration of their
long  trips  (from  9.1  to  9.5  nights),  while  Belgian  and
Portuguese  tourists  showed  a  stable  trend.  On  the  other
hand,  the  average  length  of  stay  for  trips  of  1-3  nights
remained  stable  from  2000  to  2006,  except  for  German,
Finnish,  Danish  and  British  tourists,  for  whom  a  slight
decrease was recorded (from 2.3 to 1.8, from 2.2 to 1.8,
from 2.2. to 2.0 and from 2.0 to 1.9 nights, respectively).

Panorama on Tourism

33

Panorama_tourism_2007_CH3.qxp  17/07/2008  10:33  Page 34

TTHHEE TTRRAAVVEELL PPAATTTTEERRNNSS OOFF EEUURROOPPEEAANN TTOOUURRIISSTTSS

Looking only at short trips (1-3 nights), Table 3.4 shows the
distribution of these trips (domestic and outbound) for each
country  by  the  main  purpose  of  the  visit  (leisure  versus
business).  Travelling  for  leisure  purposes  was  by  far  the
main reason for tourists from all EU countries, accounting
for a low of 47.8% of total 1-3 night trips for Slovak tourists
to  a  high  of  95.7%  for  Hungarian  tourists.  Values  above

90.0%  were  also  recorded  in  Romania  (94.6%),  France
(93.1%), Latvia (91.3%) and Greece (90.4%). Business trips
recorded relatively high shares for Slovaks (52.2% of total
trips),  Luxembourg  tourists  (34.4%),  Austrians  (33.8%),
Germans  (33.3%)  and  tourists  from  the  United  Kingdom
(28.4%), Denmark (27.9%) and Norway (26.5%).

Table 3.4 - Trips of 1-3 nights: total trips by purpose, 2000 and 2006 (1 000)

22000000

EEUU-2277

BBEE1

BBGG

CCZZ 

DDKK

DDEE

EEEE

IIEE1

EELL

EESS

FFRR

IITT

CCYY

LLVV

LLTT

LLUU

HHUU

MMTT

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

TToottaall

LLeeiissuurree

BBuussiinneessss

22000066

EEUU-2277

3

TToottaall

LLeeiissuurree

BBuussiinneessss

TToottaall

LLeeiissuurree

BBuussiinneessss

TToottaall

LLeeiissuurree

BBuussiinneessss

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

3 777

3 188

589

1.3

2.9

-5.5

100.0

84.4

15.6

3 549

2 766

783

:

:

:

:

:

:

5 600 30 203

3 502 22 326

2 098

7 877

:

:

:

4 002

1 858 93 818

85 913 38 042

3 137

1 606 92 492

81 421 29 063

865

252

1 326

4 492

8 979

BBEE

BBGG

CCZZ 

DDKK

DDEE

EEEE

IIEE

EELL

EESS

FFRR

IITT

CCYY

: 20 587

6 566 71 756

700

6 075

8 080 91 951 110 796 47 373

: 17 821

4 736 47 845

586

5 006

7 305 81 302 103 139 36 920

2 766

1 830 23 911

114

1 069

775 10 649

7 657 10 453

AAvveerraaggee aannnnuuaall ggrroowwtthh rraattee %% 22000000-220000662

:

:

:

2.7

5.2

-2.3

15.5

13.5

20.3

:

:

:

8.7

9.8

4.3

27.8

28.7

20.6

-0.3

-2.1

41.5

%% ddiissttrriibbuuttiioonn 22000066

4.3

4.0

9.3

3.7

4.1

2.6

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

86.6

13.4

72.1

27.9

66.7

33.3

83.7

16.3

82.4

17.6

90.4

9.6

88.4

11.6

93.1

6.9

77.9

22.1

PPTT

RROO

SSII

SSKK 

FFII

SSEE

UUKK

HHRR

MMKK3

22000000

NNLL

AATT

PPLL

TToottaall

LLeeiissuurree

BBuussiinneessss

: 10 393

:

:

7 310

3 083

7 612

6 955

657

:

:

:

:

:

:

: 21 110

: 17 989

:

3121

: 90 600

: 68 000

: 22 600

22000066

NNLL

AATT

PPLL

PPTT

RROO

SSII

SSKK 

FFII

SSEE

UUKK

HHRR

TToottaall

LLeeiissuurree

BBuussiinneessss

TToottaall

LLeeiissuurree

BBuussiinneessss

TToottaall

LLeeiissuurree

BBuussiinneessss

: 10 616 23 700

7 215

3 707

3 456

3 899 25 033

7 026 20 508

6 423

3 505

2 958

1 865 21 510

3 590

3 192

792

202

498

2 034

3 523

: 74 563

: 53 375

: 21 188

0.4

-0.7

2.6

:

:

:

-0.9

-1.3

3.2

:

:

:

:

:

:

AAvveerraaggee aannnnuuaall ggrroowwtthh rraattee %% 22000000-22000066

:

:

:

2.9

3.0

2.0

:

:

:

-3.2

-4.0

-1.1

%% ddiissttrriibbuuttiioonn 22000066

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

66.2

33.8

86.5

13.5

89.0

11.0

94.6

5.4

85.6

14.4

47.8

52.2

85.9

14.1

:

:

:

100.0

71.6

28.4

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

MMKK3

:

:

:

:

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371

248

123

:

:

:

LLVV

LLTT

LLUU

HHUU

MMTT

4 153

2 942

639 18 782

3 793

2 386

419 17 973

360

556

220

809

:

:

:

:

:

:

9.5

9.1

10.2

:

:

:

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

91.3

8.7

81.1

18.9

65.6

34.4

95.7

4.3

TTRR

IISS

LLII

NNOO

CCHH

TTRR

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

IISS

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

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:

:

:

LLII

NNOO

CCHH

: 14 235

: 10 465

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

3 770

:

:

:

100.0

73.5

26.5

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

1) 2001 data. 2) Average annual growth rate 2001-2006 for BE and IE. 3) Provisional code which does not prejudge in any way the definitive nomenclature for this country, which will be agreed
following the conclusion of negotiations currently taking place on this subject at the United Nations.

Looking  at  developments  between  2000  and  2006,  in
general  short  trips  for  leisure  purposes  showed  a  higher
increase  than  business  trips  for  the  Irish  (+9.8%  against
+4.3%  on  average  each  year,  2001-2006  data),  Greeks
(+28.7% versus +20.6%), Italians (+4.1% versus +2.6%)
and Finns (+3.0% versus +2.0%). On the other hand, short
trips for business reasons increased more than leisure trips
for  German  (+20.3%  versus  +13.5%),  French  (+9.3%
versus  +4.0%)  and  the  Luxembourg  tourists  (+10.2%
versus  +9.1%).  In  Belgium  and  Denmark,  leisure  trips
showed a steady increase and business trips a drop (+2.9%

versus -5.5% on annual average and +5.2% versus -2.3%,
respectively).  Conversely,  Spain  and  Portugal  recorded  a
growth  in  business  trips  and  a  decline  in  leisure  trips
(+41.5%  versus  -2.1%  and  +3.2%  versus  -1.3%
respectively). The United Kingdom saw a decrease in both
business  and  leisure  trips  (annual  average  of  -4.0%  and 
-1.1% respectively). 

34

Panorama on Tourism

Panorama_tourism_2007_CH3.qxp  17/07/2008  10:33  Page 35

TTHHEE TTRRAAVVEELL PPAATTTTEERRNNSS OOFF EEUURROOPPEEAANN TTOOUURRIISSTTSS

Analysing  the  distribution  of  nights  spent  on  short  trips  by
the main purpose of the visit (Table 3.5), most were spent
on leisure trips, with the French accounting for the highest
incidence of 93.9%. This confirms the trend already noted
in  Table  3.4.  For  tourists  from  other  southern  European
countries, like Italy, Spain and Greece, the share of nights
spent  on  leisure  trips  ranged  from  81.0%  to  90.7%.
Percentages  higher  than  85.0%  were  also  recorded  in

Portugal (89.4%), Finland (87.6%), Belgium (86.5%) and in
the  new  Member  Sates  (e.g.  Hungary  96.0%,  Romania
95.2%, Latvia 91.1%, Poland 89.4% and Slovenia 86,4%).
On the other hand, the highest proportion of nights spent
on business trips was recorded for Slovaks (46.8% of nights
spent  on  short  trips,  Luxembourgers  (30.8%),  Austrians
(29.1%),  Germans  (27.9%),  tourists  from  the  United
Kingdom (25.4%) and Danes (23.6%).

3

Table 3.5 - Trips of 1-3 nights: total nights by purpose, 2000 and 2006 (1 000)

22000000

EEUU-2277

BBEE1

BBGG

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DDKK

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EEEE

IIEE1

EELL

EESS

FFRR

IITT

CCYY

LLVV

LLTT

LLUU

HHUU

MMTT

TToottaall

LLeeiissuurree

BBuussiinneessss

22000066

EEUU-2277

TToottaall

LLeeiissuurree

BBuussiinneessss

TToottaall

LLeeiissuurree

BBuussiinneessss

TToottaall

LLeeiissuurree

BBuussiinneessss

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

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:

7 108

5 764

1 344

:

:

:

: 12 293

70 831

:

:

8 891

55 447

3 402

15 384

:

:

:

8 034

3 993 176 337 157 942 69 697

6 579

3 474 173 726 150 636 54 347

1 455

519

2 611

7 306 15 350

BBEE

BBGG

CCZZ 

DDKK

DDEE

EEEE

IIEE

EELL

EESS

FFRR

IITT

CCYY

7 613

6 586

1 027

1.4

2.7

-5.2

100.0

86.5

13.5

: 39 206 13 381 127 730

1 200 11 969 16 936 182 380 200 333 88 054

: 34 797 10 226

92 120

998 10 194 15 355 161 445 188 055 71 358

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

4 409

3 155

35 610

202

1 775

1 581

20 935

12 278 16 696

AAvveerraaggee aannnnuuaall ggrroowwtthh rraattee %% 22000000-220000662

:

:

:

1.4

2.4

-1.2

10.3

8.8

15.0

:

:

:

8.3

9.2

4.1

27.2

28.1

20.4

0.6

-1.2

41.5

%% ddiissttrriibbuuttiioonn 22000066

4.0

3.8

9.0

4.0

4.6

1.4

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

88.8

11.2

76.4

23.6

72.1

27.9

83.2

16.8

85.2

14.8

90.7

9.3

88.5

11.5

93.9

6.1

81.0

19.0

22000000

NNLL

AATT

PPLL

PPTT

RROO

SSII

SSKK 

FFII

SSEE

UUKK

HHRR

MMKK3

TToottaall

LLeeiissuurree

BBuussiinneessss

: 19 249

: 14 278

:

4 971

: 13 276

: 12 109

:

1 167

:

:

:

:

:

:

: 46 932

: 42 120

:

4 812

: 184 200

: 146 400

:

37 800

22000066

NNLL

AATT

PPLL

PPTT

RROO

SSII

SSKK 

FFII

SSEE

UUKK

HHRR

TToottaall

LLeeiissuurree

BBuussiinneessss

TToottaall

LLeeiissuurree

BBuussiinneessss

TToottaall

LLeeiissuurree

BBuussiinneessss

: 20 678 43 357 12 735

7 766

6 477

8 001 43 961

: 141 412

: 14 670 37 586 11 387

7 394

5 598

4 257 38 507

: 105 539

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

6 008

5 771

1 348

372

879

3 744

5 454

:

35 873

1.2

0.5

3.2

:

:

:

-0.7

-1.0

2.4

:

:

:

:

:

:

AAvveerraaggee aannnnuuaall ggrroowwtthh rraattee %% 22000000-22000066

:

:

:

-1.1

-1.5

2.1

:

:

:

-4.3

-5.3

-0.9

%% ddiissttrriibbuuttiioonn 22000066

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

70.9

29.1

86.7

13.3

89.4

10.6

95.2

4.8

86.4

13.6

53.2

46.8

87.6

12.4

:

:

:

100.0

74.6

25.4

MMKK3

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

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:

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:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

739

522

217

:

:

:

LLVV

LLTT

LLUU

HHUU

MMTT

7 071

5 088

1 274 35 619

6 440

4 094

881 34 210

631

994

393

1 409

:

:

:

:

:

:

9.5

9.1

10.4

:

:

:

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

91.1

8.9

80.5

19.5

69.2

30.8

96.0

4.0

TTRR

IISS

LLII

NNOO

CCHH

TTRR

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

IISS

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

LLII

NNOO

CCHH

: 20 120

: 14 834

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

5 286

:

:

:

100.0

73.7

26.3

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

1) 2001 data. 2) Average annual growth rate 2001-2006 for BE and IE. 3) Provisional code which does not prejudge in any way the definitive nomenclature for this country, which will be agreed
following the conclusion of negotiations currently taking place on this subject at the United Nations.

the 

Looking  at  the  evolution  between  2000  and  2006,  nights
spent  on  short  trips  for  leisure  purposes  showed  a  higher
increase  than  nights  spent  on  business  trips  for  Greeks
(+9.2%, 
(+28.1%  on  annual  average), 
2001-2006  data)  and  Italians  (+4.6%).  This  trend  is  the
same  as  already  discussed  for  the  number  of  trips.  In
contrast,  nights  spent  on  short  trips  for  business  reasons
increased  more  than  leisure  trips  for  German  (+15.0%
versus 8.8%), French (+9.0% versus +3.8%), Luxembourg
(+10.4%  versus  +9.1%)  and  Austrian  tourists  (+3.2%
versus +0.5%). In Belgium and Denmark, nights spent on
leisure trips showed a steady increase whereas the number

Irish 

of nights spent on business trips decreased (+2.7% versus 
-5.2%  annual  average  and  +2.4%  versus  -1.2%,
respectively).  Conversely,  in  Spain,  Portugal  and  Finland,
nights  spent  on  business  trips  increased  while  nights  on
leisure  trips  decreased  (+41.5%  versus  -1.2%,  +2.4%
versus  -1.0%  and  +2.1%  versus  -1.5%,  respectively).  The
United  Kingdom  saw  a  decrease  in  both  business  and
-0.9%  and 
(annual  average  of 
leisure 
-5.3%  respectively).  As  said,  the  trend  in  nights  was
mirrored by the number of trips, making for stability in the
average length of stay.

trips 

Panorama on Tourism

35

Panorama_tourism_2007_CH3.qxp  17/07/2008  10:33  Page 36

TTHHEE TTRRAAVVEELL PPAATTTTEERRNNSS OOFF EEUURROOPPEEAANN TTOOUURRIISSTTSS

Looking at the duration of short trips by purpose (Table 3.6),
in  2006,  1-3  night  leisure  trips  generally  lasted  from  a
minimum of 1.7 nights for Baltic tourists to a maximum of
2.3  nights  for  Slovaks.  At  1.5  nights,  Finnish  tourists

recorded the minimum length of stay for business trips. The
maximum  was  registered  for  Greek  and  Spanish  tourists
(2.0  nights).  In  general,  this  means  that  leisure  trips  were
generally longer than business trips.

Table 3.6 - Trips of 1-3 nights by purpose: average length of stay, 2000 and 2006 (nights)

22000000

EEUU-2277

BBEE1

BBGG

CCZZ 

DDKK

DDEE

EEEE

IIEE1

EELL

EESS

FFRR

IITT

CCYY

LLVV

LLTT

LLUU

HHUU

MMTT

2.0

2.1

1.7

BBEE

BBGG

2.0

2.1

1.7

AATT

PPLL

1.9

2.0

1.6

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

TToottaall

LLeeiissuurree

BBuussiinneessss

22000066

EEUU-2277

TToottaall

LLeeiissuurree

BBuussiinneessss

22000000

NNLL

TToottaall

LLeeiissuurree

BBuussiinneessss

22000066

NNLL

TToottaall

LLeeiissuurree

BBuussiinneessss

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

3

:

:

:

2.2

2.5

1.6

2.3

2.5

2.0

:

:

:

2.0

2.1

1.7

2.1

2.2

2.1

1.9

1.9

2.0

1.8

1.9

1.6

1.8

1.9

1.7

CCZZ 

DDKK

DDEE

EEEE

IIEE

EELL

EESS

FFRR

IITT

CCYY

1.9

2.0

1.6

2.0

2.2

1.7

1.8

1.9

1.5

1.7

1.7

1.8

2.0

2.0

1.7

2.1

2.1

2.0

2.0

2.0

2.0

1.8

1.8

1.6

1.9

1.9

1.6

PPTT

RROO

SSII

SSKK 

FFII

SSEE

UUKK

HHRR

MMKK2

1.7

1.7

1.8

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

2.2

2.3

1.5

AATT

PPLL

PPTT

RROO

SSII

SSKK 

FFII

SSEE

1.9

2.1

1.7

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.7

2.1

2.1

1.8

1.9

1.9

1.8

2.1

2.3

1.8

1.8

1.8

1.5

:

:

:

:

:

:

2.0

2.2

1.7

UUKK

HHRR

1.9

2.0

1.7

:

:

:

:

:

:

MMKK2

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

2.0

2.1

1.8

:

:

:

LLVV

LLTT

LLUU

HHUU

MMTT

1.7

1.7

1.8

1.7

1.7

1.8

2.0

2.1

1.8

1.9

1.9

1.7

TTRR

IISS

LLII

NNOO

CCHH

TTRR

:

:

:

:

:

:

IISS

:

:

:

:

:

:

LLII

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

NNOO

CCHH

1.4

1.4

1.4

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

1) 2001 data. 2) Provisional code which does not prejudge in any way the definitive nomenclature for this country, which will be agreed following the conclusion of negotiations currently taking place
on this subject at the United Nations.

As mentioned for Table 3.3, these average values depend
on  the  weight  of  leisure  and  business  trips  in  the  total
number of short trips made by residents in each country, in
terms  of  both  the  number  of  trips  and  nights  spent.  For
Danes, for example, leisure trips accounted for about 72%
of total trips and about 76% of total nights. The same was
noted for tourists from Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,
Austria and the United Kingdom, where the nights spent on
leisure trips as a proportion of the whole were about 3 to 5
percentage points higher than the proportion in terms of the
number of trips. Conversely, for Slovakian tourists, business
trips accounted for 52.2% of the total number and 46.8%
of  total  nights.  Contrary  to  other  countries,  business  trips
made by tourists residing in Baltic countries (Estonia, Latvia
and  Lithuania)  were  slightly  longer  than  leisure  trips  (1.8
nights as against 1.7 nights).

Comparing  2000  and  2006,  7  of  the  13  countries  for
which  data  are  available  recorded  a  decrease  in  the
duration  of  short  leisure  trips  made  by  their  tourists.  This
was particularly true for German (from 2.5 to 1.9 nights),
Finnish (from 2.3 to 1.8 nights) and Danish (from 2.5 to 2.2
nights),  tourists.  Growth  was  recorded  for  Spaniards,
Austrians and Portuguese (from 1.9 to 2.0, from 2.0 to 2.1
and  form  1.7  to  1.8  nights,  respectively).  Short  business
trips  for  all  countries  except  Germany,  which  recorded  a
decrease from 2.0 to 1.5 nights, were substantially stable in
duration over the period analysed. 

Turning now to holiday trips of 4 nights or more, Table 3.7
describes the evolution and distribution of total holiday trips
for  each  European  country  by  destination  (domestic  or
outbound).  These  data  indicate  persisting  discrepancies
between European countries concerning the distribution of
long domestic and outbound holiday trips.

In 2006, tourists living in the Benelux countries, the Baltic
States,  Denmark,  the  United  Kingdom,  Ireland,  Slovenia
and the German-speaking countries (Germany and Austria)
preferred  to  spend  trips  of  4  nights  or  more  abroad.
Percentages ranged from about 53% for Latvian to almost
100%  for  Luxembourg  tourists.  In  contrast,  residents  of
southern  European  countries  (Greece,  Spain,  France,  Italy
and Portugal), Finland and all the other new Member States
for which data are available prefer to spend holidays in their
own country, with figures ranging from 53.0% for Slovaks to
89.0% for Greeks. 

Looking at the development from 2000 to 2006, domestic
trips  for  holiday  purposes  showed  the  highest  increase  of
+9.9%  on  average  each  year,  both  in  a  country  where
domestic tourism dominates (Greece) and in another where
outbound  tourism  is  prevalent  (Austria).  Good  growth  of
domestic  trips  was  also  recorded  in  Spain  (+5.2%),
Denmark  (+4.6%),  Finland  (+3.4%),  the  Netherlands
(+3.3%) and Italy (+2.5%). 

36

Panorama on Tourism

Panorama_tourism_2007_CH3.qxp  17/07/2008  10:33  Page 37

TTHHEE TTRRAAVVEELL PPAATTTTEERRNNSS OOFF EEUURROOPPEEAANN TTOOUURRIISSTTSS

Table 3.7 - Trips of 4 nights or more: total holiday trips by destination, 2000 and 2006 (1 000)

22000000

EEUU-2277

BBEE

BBGG

CCZZ 

DDKK

DDEE

EEEE1

IIEE2

EELL

EESS

FFRR

IITT

CCYY1

LLVV

LLTT

LLUU

HHUU

MMTT

TToottaall

DDoommeessttiicc

OOuuttbboouunndd

22000066

EEUU-2277

TToottaall

DDoommeessttiicc

OOuuttbboouunndd

TToottaall

DDoommeessttiicc

OOuuttbboouunndd

TToottaall

DDoommeessttiicc

OOuuttbboouunndd

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

6 374

1 142

5 232

BBEE

BBGG

6 647

1 265

5 382

0.7

1.7

0.5

100.0

19.0

81.0

22000000

NNLL

AATT

PPLL

TToottaall

15 529

5 689

DDoommeessttiicc

5 749

1 811

OOuuttbboouunndd

9 780

3 878

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

4 556 105 650

313

3 218

4 753 27 988 75 752 35 457

1 406 35 898

167

1 057

4 330 25 108 63 025 27 382

:

:

3 150 69 752

146

2 161

423

2 880 12 727

8 075

426

:

:

:

:

:

:

570

2

568

:

:

:

CCZZ 

DDKK

DDEE

EEEE

IIEE

EELL

EESS

FFRR

IITT

CCYY

LLVV

LLTT

LLUU

HHUU3

MMTT

8 934

5 896 105 431

279

4 790

8 578 39 599 83 137 41 135

4 985

1 842 40 453

91

1 084

7 632 34 110 69 386 31 030

:

:

3 949

4 054 64 978

188

3 706

946

5 489 13 751 10 105

533

909

1 090

679

7 115

429

480

411

679

2

4 112

677

3 003

AAvveerraaggee aannnnuuaall ggrroowwtthh rraattee %% 22000000-220000664

:

:

:

4.4

4.6

4.3

0.0

2.0

-1.2

-2.8

-14.1

8.3

0.5

10.3

9.9

6.0

5.2

6.5

11.4

14.4

11.3

1.6

1.6

1.3

3.0

2.5

4.6

:

:

5.8

:

:

:

:

:

:

3.0

0.0

3.0

:

:

:

%% ddiissttrriibbuuttiioonn 22000066

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

55.8

44.2

31.2

68.8

38.4

61.6

32.6

67.4

22.6

77.4

89.0

11.0

86.1

13.9

83.5

16.5

75.4

24.6

PPTT

RROO

SSII

SSKK 

FFII

SSEE

UUKK

HHRR

MMKK5

3 688

3 024

664

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

5 261

3 755

1 506

: 78 000

: 38 700

: 39 300

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

3

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

47.2

52.8

37.7

62.3

0.3

99.7

57.8

42.2

TTRR

IISS

LLII

NNOO

CCHH

TTRR

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

IISS

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

LLII

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

5 096

2 702

2 394

NNOO

CCHH

5 981

2 788

3 193

2.7

0.5

4.9

100.0

46.6

53.4

MMKK5

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

22000066

NNLL

AATT

PPLL

PPTT

RROO

SSII

SSKK 

FFII

SSEE

UUKK

HHRR

TToottaall

18 384

8 745 17 808

3 663

3 387

1 807

4 555

6 620

DDoommeessttiicc

6 986

3 195 14 341

2 888

2 977

498

2 416

4 576

OOuuttbboouunndd

11 398

5 550

3 467

775

410

1 309

2 139

2 044

: 61 821

: 28 521

: 33 300

TToottaall

DDoommeessttiicc

OOuuttbboouunndd

2.9

3.3

2.6

7.4

9.9

6.2

:

:

:

-0.1

-0.8

2.6

:

:

:

:

:

:

AAvveerraaggee aannnnuuaall ggrroowwtthh rraattee %% 22000000-22000066

:

:

:

3.9

3.4

5.2

:

:

:

-3.8

-5.0

-2.7

%% ddiissttrriibbuuttiioonn 22000066

TToottaall

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

DDoommeessttiicc

OOuuttbboouunndd

38.0

62.0

36.5

63.5

80.5

19.5

78.8

21.2

87.9

12.1

27.6

72.4

53.0

47.0

69.1

30.9

:

:

:

100.0

46.1

53.9

1) 2002 data. 2) 2001 data. 3) 2005 data. 4) Average annual growth rate 2002-2006 for EE and CY and 2001-2006 for IE. 5) Provisional code which does not prejudge in any way the definitive
nomenclature for this country, which will be agreed following the conclusion of negotiations currently taking place on this subject at the United Nations.

Outbound  trips,  in  contrast,  increased  more  in  countries
where  tourists  usually  spend  a  large  part  of  their  holidays
within national boundaries: Greece saw a +14.4% annual
average increase, Spain +11.3%, Finland +5.2% and Italy
+4.6%.  The  only  exceptions  were  Ireland  (+11.4%  on
annual average from 2001 to 2006), Estonia (+6.5%) and
Austria (+6.2%), where residents already spend the majority
of their holidays abroad. 

This confirms that the travel behaviour of people residing in
the  EU-27  countries  has  gradually  changed  since  the
beginning of the 21st century. In countries like Belgium, for
example,  the  number  of  domestic  trips  by  residents  in
absolute  terms  has  grown  more  than  the  number  of  trips
abroad.  Consequently,  their  share  in  total  trips  rose  from
17.9% in 2000 to 19.0% in 2006, while the proportion of
outbound  tourist  trips  declined  from  82.1%  to  81.0%
accordingly.  On  the  other  hand,  outbound  trips  by  Greek
tourists in absolute figures increased at a higher rate than
domestic trips. Consequently, their share grew from 8.9% in
2000 to 11.0% in 2006, at the expense of domestic tourism
(falling from 91.1% to 89.0%).

Table  3.8  shows  the  evolution  and  distribution  of  nights
spent  by  tourists  on  holiday  trips  of  4  nights  or  more  by
destination. For the majority of countries for which data are
available, in 2006, the share of nights spent on outbound
holiday  trips  of  4  nights  or  more  was  higher  than  on
domestic trips. 

As for trips, in 2006, tourists living in the Benelux countries,
the  German-speaking  countries  (Germany  and  Austria),
Ireland  and  the  United  Kingdom  generally  spent  more
nights  abroad  than  in  their  country  of  residence,  with
percentages  ranging  from  about  66.8%  in  the  United
Kingdom  to  almost  100%  in  Luxembourg.  In  these
countries, the share of nights spent by their tourists abroad
was  generally  higher  than  that  of  the  number  of  trips,
confirming  the  longer  duration  of  outbound  trips.  For
example,  British  tourists  spent  53.9%  of  total  trips  of  4
nights and more abroad, and  66.8% of total nights.

Panorama on Tourism

37

Panorama_tourism_2007_CH3.qxp  17/07/2008  10:33  Page 38

TTHHEE TTRRAAVVEELL PPAATTTTEERRNNSS OOFF EEUURROOPPEEAANN TTOOUURRIISSTTSS

Table 3.8 - Trips of 4 nights or more: total holiday nights by destination, 2000 and 2006 (1 000)

22000000

EEUU-2277

BBEE

BBGG

CCZZ 

DDKK

DDEE

EEEE1

IIEE2

EELL

EESS

FFRR

IITT

CCYY1

LLVV

LLTT

LLUU

HHUU

MMTT

TToottaall

DDoommeessttiicc

OOuuttbboouunndd

: 73 082

: 11 237

: 61 845

:

:

:

: 42 371 1 240 103

3 282 32 381 58 271 371 633 757 008 434 863

: 10 858

343 137

1 474

8 063 51 903 337 577 624 530 344 408

:

:

: 31 513

896 966

1 808 24 318

6 368

34 056 132 478

90 455 5 454

:

:

:

: 6 508

:

17

: 6 491

:

:

:

22000066

EEUU-2277

BBEE

BBGG

CCZZ 

DDKK

DDEE

EEEE

IIEE

EELL

EESS

FFRR

IITT

CCYY

LLVV

LLTT

LLUU

HHUU3 MMTT

TToottaall

DDoommeessttiicc

OOuuttbboouunndd

TToottaall

DDoommeessttiicc

OOuuttbboouunndd

TToottaall

DDoommeessttiicc

OOuuttbboouunndd

: 77 984

: 11 630

: 66 354

:

:

:

:

:

:

1.1

0.6

1.2

100.0

14.9

85.1

:

:

:

:

:

:

: 76 109 53 355 1 064 578

2 395 45 279 104 481 407 003 801 237 478 040

: 8 237 12 324 6 849 53 101

: 40 430 12 660

330 480

688

8 391 92 058 339 347 661 822 371 657

: 2 911

3 280

20 27 826

: 35 679 40 695

734 098

1 707 36 888 12 423

67 656 139 415 106 383 6 882 5 326

9 044 6 829 25 275

AAvveerraaggee aannnnuuaall ggrroowwtthh rraattee %% 22000000-220000664

:

:

:

3.9

2.6

4.4

-2.5

-0.6

-3.3

-7.6

-17.3

-1.4

6.9

0.8

8.7

10.2

10.0

11.8

1.5

0.1

12.1

1.0

1.0

0.9

1.6

1.3

2.7

:

:

6.0

:

:

:

:

:

:

0.9

2.7

0.8

:

:

:

%% ddiissttrriibbuuttiioonn 22000066

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

: 100.0

100.0 100.0

100.0

53.1

46.9

23.7

76.3

31.0

69.0

28.7

71.3

18.5

81.5

88.1

11.9

83.4

16.6

82.6

17.4

77.7

22.3

3

22000000

NNLL

AATT

PPLL

PPTT

RROO

SSII

SSKK 

FFII

SSEE

UUKK

HHRR

MMKK5

TToottaall

180 037 63 711

DDoommeessttiicc

58 492 17 473

OOuuttbboouunndd

121 545 46 238

: 40 243

: 32 027

:

8 216

:

:

:

:

:

:

: 43 758

: 26 861

: 16 897

: 706 600

: 262 800

: 443 800

22000066

NNLL

AATT

PPLL

PPTT

RROO

SSII

SSKK 

FFII

SSEE

UUKK

HHRR

TToottaall

194 714 76 400 186 368 38 804 29 953

14 866 38 215 51 481 109 899 578 620

DDoommeessttiicc

61 653 23 010 136 257 29 025 22 564

3 349 17 131 32 340 50 552 191 920

OOuuttbboouunndd

133 061 53 390 50 111

9 779

7 389

11 517 21 084 19 141 59 347 386 700

TToottaall

DDoommeessttiicc

OOuuttbboouunndd

1.3

0.9

1.5

3.1

4.7

2.4

:

:

:

-0.6

-1.6

2.9

:

:

:

AAvveerraaggee aannnnuuaall ggrroowwtthh rraattee %% 22000000-22000066

:

:

:

:

:

:

2.7

3.1

2.1

:

:

:

-3.3

-5.1

-2.3

%% ddiissttrriibbuuttiioonn 22000066

TToottaall

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

DDoommeessttiicc

OOuuttbboouunndd

31.7

68.3

30.1

69.9

73.1

26.9

74.8

25.2

75.3

24.7

22.5

77.5

44.8

55.2

62.8

37.2

46.0

54.0

33.2

66.8

MMKK5

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

35.3

64.7

TTRR

26.6

0.3

73.4

99.7

52.4

47.6

IISS

LLII

NNOO CCHH

TTRR

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

IISS

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

: 50 894

: 24 004

: 26 890

LLII

NNOO CCHH

: 63 016

: 27 097

: 35 919

:

:

:

:

:

:

3.6

2.0

4.9

100.0

43.0

57.0

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

1) 2002 data. 2) 2001 data. 3) 2005 data. 4) Average annual growth rate 2001-2006 for BG and IE and 2002-2005 for EE and CY. 5) Provisional code which does not prejudge in any way the
definitive nomenclature for this country, which will be agreed following the conclusion of negotiations currently taking place on this subject at the United Nations.

In  contrast,  mainly  tourists  from  southern  Europe  and
Finland spent more nights at domestic holiday destinations,
with the share ranging from 62.8% for Finnish to 88.1% for
Greek  tourists.  However,  for  Greek,  Spanish,  French,
Portuguese  and  Finnish  tourists  the  share  of  trips  was
generally higher than nights, indicating the shorter duration
of  domestic  trips.  Italy  was  the  only  country  in  this  group
with a lower share in domestic nights than trips.

The  trend  varies  for  tourists  residing  in  the  new  Member
States.  In  Baltic  States,  Slovenia  and  Slovakia  the  largest
proportion  of  tourist  nights  spent  by  residents  were
concentrated  on  long  outbound  trips  (from  55.2%  in
Slovakia to 77.5% in Slovenia). Conversely, in Bulgaria, the
Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Romania more than
50.0% of total nights were spent on long domestic trips. 

As for trips, the dynamics of 2000-2006 showed that nights
spent on domestic trips of 4 nights and more recorded the
highest increases both in a country where outbound tourism
dominates (Austria: +4.7% on average each year) and in

another  where  domestic  tourism  is  prevalent  (Greece:
+10.0%).  Good  growth  was  also  recorded  in  Finland
(+3.1%),  Luxembourg  (+2.7%),  Denmark  (+2.6%),
Norway (+2.0%) and France (+1.0%). On the other hand,
a  contraction  in  the  number  of  nights  characterised
domestic  holiday  trips  taken  by  Estonian  (-17.3%  on
average  each  year,  2002-2006  data),  British  (-5.1%),
Portuguese (-1.6%) and German tourists (-0.6%). 

Two groups of countries registered a significant increase in
nights spent on outbound trips. The first consists of countries
whose tourists already spend a large part of their holidays
abroad.  These  countries  are  Ireland  (+8.7%  annual
average  increase  from  2001  to  2006),  Norway  (+4.9%),
Denmark  (+4.4%)  and  Austria  (+2.4%).  The  other  group
consists  of  traditional  tourism  destinations  such  as  Spain
(+12.1% annual average increase), Greece (+11.8%) and
Cyprus (+6.0%).

38

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TTHHEE TTRRAAVVEELL PPAATTTTEERRNNSS OOFF EEUURROOPPEEAANN TTOOUURRIISSTTSS

Looking at the average duration of long trips by destination
(Table  3.9),  in  2006,  domestic  trips  of  4  nights  or  more
generally lasted from a low of 6.7 nights for Slovenian and
British  tourists  to  a  high  of  14.5  nights  for  Polish  tourists.
Hungarian  tourists  (8.4  nights,  2005  data)  recorded  the
lowest  length  of  stay  for  outbound  trips  while  Romanian
tourists  accounted  for  the  highest  (18.0  nights).  In  the
Benelux  region,  the  German-speaking  countries,  Ireland

and the United Kingdom, where residents make most trips
abroad,  the  average  duration  of  outbound  trips  ranged
from 9.6 nights for Austrians to 12.3 nights for the Belgians.
In  southern  Europe,  where  domestic  tourism  dominates,
outbound trips lasted on average a bit longer, with values
ranging from 10.1 nights for French tourists to 13.1 nights
for Greeks. 

Table 3.9 - Trips of 4 nights or more by destination: average length of stay, 2000 and 2006 (nights)

22000000

EEUU-2277

BBEE

BBGG

CCZZ 

DDKK

DDEE

EEEE1

IIEE2

EELL

EESS

FFRR

IITT

CCYY1

LLVV

LLTT

LLUU

HHUU

MMTT

3

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

TToottaall

DDoommeessttiicc

OOuuttbboouunndd

22000066

EEUU-2277

TToottaall

DDoommeessttiicc

OOuuttbboouunndd

:

:

:

:

:

:

11.5

9.8

11.8

BBEE

BBGG

11.7

9.2

12.3

22000000

NNLL

AATT

PPLL

TToottaall

DDoommeessttiicc

OOuuttbboouunndd

11.6

10.2

12.4

11.2

9.6

11.9

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

9.3

7.7

11.7

10.5

10.1

9.6

8.8

7.6

10.0

12.9

12.4

11.3

12.3

12.0

15.1

13.3

13.4

11.8

10.0

9.9

10.4

12.3

12.6

11.2

:

:

12.8

:

:

:

:

:

:

11.4

8.5

11.4

:

:

:

CCZZ 

DDKK

DDEE

EEEE

IIEE

EELL

EESS

FFRR

IITT

CCYY

LLVV

LLTT

LLUU

HHUU3

MMTT

8.5

8.1

9.0

9.0

6.9

10.1

8.2

10.0

11.3

8.6

7.6

9.1

9.5

7.7

10.0

12.2

12.1

13.1

10.3

9.9

9.6

9.5

12.3

10.1

11.6

12.0

10.5

:

:

9.1

6.8

11.3

8.0

12.9

11.1

13.3

10.1

10.0

10.1

7.5

6.8

8.4

PPTT

RROO

SSII

SSKK 

FFII

SSEE

UUKK

HHRR

MMKK4

TTRR

IISS

LLII

NNOO

CCHH

10.9

10.6

12.4

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

8.3

7.2

11.2

22000066

NNLL

AATT

PPLL

PPTT

RROO

SSII

SSKK 

FFII

SSEE

TToottaall

DDoommeessttiicc

OOuuttbboouunndd

10.6

8.8

11.7

8.7

7.2

9.6

10.5

9.5

14.5

10.6

10.1

12.6

8.8

7.6

18.0

8.2

6.7

8.8

8.4

7.1

9.9

7.8

7.1

9.4

:

:

:

:

:

:

9.1

6.8

11.3

UUKK

9.4

6.7

11.6

HHRR

:

:

:

:

:

:

MMKK4

:

:

:

:

:

:

TTRR

:

:

:

:

:

:

IISS

:

:

:

:

:

:

LLII

:

:

:

:

:

:

10.0

8.9

11.2

NNOO

CCHH

10.5

9.7

11.2

1) 2002 data. 2) 2001 data. 3) 2005 data. 4) Provisional code which does not prejudge in any way the definitive nomenclature for this country, which will be agreed following the conclusion of
negotiations currently taking place on this subject at the United Nations.

As  mentioned  above,  the  duration  also  depends  on  the
chosen  destination.  The  fact  that  most  outbound  trips  are
short-  to  medium-haul  and  within  Europe  (see  chapter  1)
explains why the gap between outbound and domestic trips
is not very large. 

The  evolution  between  2000  and  2006  highlights  that  in
most  countries  for  which  data  are  available  the  average
duration of all tourist trips of 4 nights and more showed a
slight  decrease.  This  was  reflected  in  both  domestic  and
outbound tourism. For example, the average length of stay
by  German  and  Austrian  tourists  declined  between  1-3
nights  both  at  home  and  abroad.  A  relatively  stable
situation  for  both  domestic  and  outbound  trips  was  only
recorded in France, Portugal and the United Kingdom. 

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CHAPTER 4 - COUNTRY DESCRIPTION

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4. CCOUNTRY DESCRIPTION

4.1 IIntroduction 

This  chapter  discusses  the  recent  tourism  performances
(2000  and  2006)  of  each  country  in  the  EU-27,  starting
with  a  set  of  indicators  describing  the  international
attractiveness  of  each  country  within  the  EU-27,  its
dependency  on  intra-area  demand,  the  level  of  market
internationalisation (in terms of demand and receipts) and
the economic contribution of tourism to the local economy.

The  analysis  focuses  on  EU-27  or  EU-25  countries,
depending  on  the  indicators  used,  as  some  data  are  still
missing for Bulgaria and Romania.

Specifically, the six selected indicators used are:

1.The  share  of  international  nights  spent  in  collective
accommodation  in  a  country  as  a  proportion  of  total
international  nights  in  the  EU-27  area  (percentage
values), which measures the capacity of the country to
attract  international  tourists  compared  with  the  EU-27
area as a whole. 

2.The share of international tourism receipts in the country
as  a  proportion  of  total  international  receipts  in  the 
EU-27  area  (percentage  values),  which  shows  how
much  the  country  gains  relatively  from  international
tourism compared with the area as a whole.

3.The share of tourism nights spent by EU-25 residents as
a proportion of total international nights in the country
(percentage values). This indicator gives information on
the  level  of  intra-area  (EU-25)  tourism  demand.  As
mentioned above, this indicator is based on the EU-25
area since data on nights spent by tourists from Bulgaria
and Romania are missing. 

4.The proportion of international tourism nights as a share
of total tourism nights (in collective accommodation) in
the  country  (percentage  values),  which  measures  the
level of internationalisation of the local tourism market.

5.The  proportion  of  international  tourism  receipts  as  a
share of GDP (percentage values), which measures the
contribution  of  international  tourism  to  the  country's
economy and welfare.

6.The 

tourism 

receipts 

ratio  of 

international 

to
expenditure,  which  measures  the  tourism  balance.  It
compares the revenues generated by foreign tourists in
the  country  with  expenditure  by  residents  abroad.  The
more  receipts  outweigh  expenditure,  the  more  positive
the  tourism  balance  and  the  greater  the  gain  from
international  tourism.  On  the  other  hand,  the  more
expenditure  exceeds  receipts,  the  more  negative  the
tourism  balance  and  the  greater  the  loss  due  to
outbound tourism.

CCOOUUNNTTRRYY DDEESSCCRRIIPPTTIIOONN
A graphical tool called "spider plot" was used to summarise
each  country's  overall  tourism  performance  in  2000  and
2006. Normalised values (0-1) for each indicator are each
shown  as  a  point  along  a  separate  axis.  The  normalised
values  were  chosen  in  order  to  give  a  uniform  and
comparable range of values for all indicators, avoiding the
overestimation  of  some  of  them  and  making  their  overall
presentation  easier.  The  hexagons  obtained  by  linking  the
six  points  on  the  six  axes  by  a  line  produce  the  country
profiles  in  2000  and  2006,  respectively.  The  normalised
values (0-1) for each indicator, representing the vertices of
the hexagon, were calculated by taking the maximum value
for each indicator of all values for the two reference years
2000  and  2006  for  EU-27  or  EU-25  countries,  and
dividing  each  country's  data  by  that  value.  For  example,
taking  the  share  of  nights  from  the  EU-25  area  as  a
proportion  of  total  international  nights  in  the  country
(indicator No 3) gives the country with the highest share of
these  nights  (e.g.  Luxembourg  in  2006).  The  data  for  all
other countries in 2000 and 2006 were then divided by the
value for Luxembourg in order to calculate the normalised
values. The following graph shows an example of a spider
plot.

4

The  strength  of  this  tool  is  that  it  provides  a  dynamic
presentation of the set of indicators (multivariate indicator)
together  in  one  graph  for  each  country  and  for  the  two
years considered. It depicts simultaneously the variations in
each indicator and the evolution of a country's performance
in  the  two  years  considered.  In  addition,  when  the  spider
plots  of  different  countries  are  compared,  some  common
patterns  can  be  isolated  and  discussed  and  therefore
clusters of similar countries identified. 

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CCOOUUNNTTRRYY DDEESSCCRRIIPPTTIIOONN

4.2. TTourism pperformance iin tthe EEU-227 aarea iin 22000 aand 22006: ccountry pprofiles

The following table lists the EU-27 countries according to the information derived from the spider plots and their role in the
tourism market.  

Table 4.1 - Classification of EU-27 countries

MMaaiinnllyy oorriiggiinn ccoouunnttrriieess

OOrriiggiinn-ddeessttiinnaattiioonn ccoouunnttrriieess

MMaaiinnllyy ddeessttiinnaattiioonn ccoouunnttrriieess

Denmark

Germany

The Netherlands

Romania

Finland

Sweden

Belgium

France

Ireland

Italy

Latvia

Lithuania

Poland

Slovakia

The United Kingdom

Bulgaria

Czech Republic

Estonia

Greece

Spain

Cyprus

Luxembourg

Hungary

Malta

Austria

Portugal 

Slovenia

4

Countries  that  are  mainly  sources  of  international  tourism
are those where outbound tourism (i.e. the number of nights
spent by resident tourists abroad) exceeds inbound tourism
(i.e. the number of nights spent by non-resident tourists in
the country) and/or where international tourism expenditure
exceeds receipts.

On the other hand, countries that are mainly destinations of
international  tourism  are  those  whose  inbound  tourism
surpasses  outbound  tourism  and/or  where  international
tourism receipts are higher than expenditure.

Origin/destination  countries  are  those  that  are  both
generators  and  destinations  of  international  tourism.  They
can  be  divided  into  two  main  groups:  countries  that  are
mainly a source and destination of leisure tourism (France,
Italy,  Ireland)  and  countries  that  are  mainly  a  source  and
destination  for  specific  market  segments.  For  example,
Belgium  is  mainly  an  important  destination  for  business
tourism (Brussels) and a source of leisure tourism abroad.
The United Kingdom also belongs to this group but it covers
more market segments than Belgium.

In  some  cases,  origin/destination  countries  may  be
countries  in  transition,  i.e.  countries  that  were  sources  or
destinations of international tourism flows but have seen a
change in tourism behaviour in recent years. For example,
Italy is acknowledged as one of the most important tourist
destinations in the world. In the past few years, however, it
has  seen  an  increase  in  outbound  tourism  and  hence  a
decrease in the ratio of tourist receipts to expenditure, which
means that expenditure by Italian tourists abroad is growing
much more than international receipts. This trend is making
travel  behaviour  in  Italy  more  similar  to  that  of  other
countries  that  are  traditionally  generators  of  international
tourism (e.g. Germany).

The following paragraphs show the tourism profile of each
of  the  EU-27  countries  in  2000  and  2006.  Each  profile
includes two tables and a spider plot. The first table presents
the  value  assumed  by  the  six  main  tourism  indicators
described above, while the second focuses on the six main
markets of international tourism in the country. The spider
plot  shows  the  tourism  performance  of  each  country  in
2000 and 2006.

44

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CCOOUUNNTTRRYY DDEESSCCRRIIPPTTIIOONN

4.2.1 BBelgium

Belgium with its capital Brussels is one of the most important business tourism destinations in Europe and a holiday destination
for people from neighbouring countries (mainly the Netherlands). However, it is also a country that generates a steady volume
of outbound tourism flows.

Table 4.2.1.1 - Main tourism indicators: Belgium in 2000 and 2006

IInnddiiccaattoorrss

22000000

22000066

- SShhaarree ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall nniigghhttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy aass aa pprrooppoorrttiioonn ooff ttoottaall iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall nniigghhttss iinn tthhee EEUU-2277

- SShhaarree ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm rreecceeiippttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy aass aa pprrooppoorrttiioonn ooff ttoottaall iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall rreecceeiippttss iinn tthhee EEUU-22771

- SShhaarree ooff nniigghhttss ssppeenntt bbyy EEUU-2255 rreessiiddeennttss aass aa pprrooppoorrttiioonn ooff ttoottaall iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall nniigghhttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy

- PPrrooppoorrttiioonn ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm nniigghhttss ccoommppaarreedd wwiitthh ttoottaall ttoouurriissmm nniigghhttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy

1.7%

3.4%

84.1%

53.1%

2.9%

0.68

1.7%

3.6%

84.4%

54.6%

2.9%

0.66

- PPrrooppoorrttiioonn ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm rreecceeiippttss1 iinn GGDDPP

- RRaattiioo ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm rreecceeiippttss ttoo eexxppeennddiittuurree1

1) 2002 data used for 2000.

The prevalence of short-stay business tourism explains why
the number of international tourists in the country is lower
than  its  tourism  gains  within  the  EU-27  area.  In  2006,
Belgium  accounted  for  less  than  2%  of  total  international
nights spent in the EU-27 but more than 3% of international
tourism receipts (Table 4.2.1.1). This means that the profit
margin on incoming tourism was higher than the volume of
incoming  tourism.  The  trend  was  stable  in  comparison  to
2000.  The  share  of  international  tourism  nights  as  a
proportion of total tourism nights in the country amounted
to  about  55%  in  2006  (about  53%  in  2000),  but  the
proportion of nights from the EU-25 area compared to total
international  nights  was  very  high  (about  84%  in  both
years).  This  highlights  the  strong  influence  of  intra-area
tourism on the national market.

Figure 4.2.1 - Situation of tourism in Belgium in 2000 and 2006

4

Looking at the six main markets of origin, in 2006, five out
of six were in the EU-27 area (the Netherlands, the United
Kingdom, France, Germany and Spain) and accounted for
about 74% of total international tourism nights (about 75%
in  2000).  The  United  States  ranked  fifth  with  a  share  of
3.9%  (4.7%  in  2000).  Compared  with  2000,  Spain  took
over sixth position at the expense of Italy (Table 4.2.1.2).  

The contribution of tourism to the country’s GDP amounted
to  2.9%  in  2006,  while  the  ratio  of  international  tourism
receipts  to  expenditure,  which  measures  the  tourism
balance, was 66%. This means that expenditure by foreign
tourists  in  the  country  exceeded  expenditure  by  domestic
tourists abroad.

The  following  spider  plot  summarises  the  evolution  of  the
global tourism performance of Belgium in 2000 and 2006,
according to the six indicators considered above.

Table 4.2.1.2 - Main tourism markets in Belgium
-  nights  spent  by  non-residents  (as  %  of  total
nights), 2000 and 2006

MMaarrkkeettss

- 11sstt mmaarrkkeett

- 22nndd mmaarrkkeett

- 33rrdd mmaarrkkeett

- 44tthh mmaarrkkeett

- 55tthh mmaarrkkeett

- 66tthh mmaarrkkeett

22000000

22000066

CCoouunnttrryy

%%

CCoouunnttrryy

%%

NL

UK

DE

FR

US

IT

31.1

16.1

14.9

10.2

4.7

3.0

NL

UK

FR

DE

US

ES

32.1

13.7

12.9

12.0

3.9

3.0

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CCOOUUNNTTRRYY DDEESSCCRRIIPPTTIIOONN

4.2.2 BBulgaria

Bulgaria is one of the two new Member States that joined the European Community in 2007. It is an emerging destination for
international  tourism  in  Europe,  especially  for  resident  tourists  and  non-resident  tourists  coming  from  central  European
markets.

Table 4.2.2.1 - Main tourism indicators: Bulgaria in 2000 and 2006

IInnddiiccaattoorrss

22000000

22000066

- SShhaarree ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall nniigghhttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy aass aa pprrooppoorrttiioonn ooff ttoottaall iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall nniigghhttss iinn tthhee EEUU-2277

- SShhaarree ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm rreecceeiippttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy aass aa pprrooppoorrttiioonn ooff ttoottaall iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall rreecceeiippttss iinn tthhee EEUU-2277

- SShhaarree ooff nniigghhttss ssppeenntt bbyy EEUU-2255 rreessiiddeennttss aass aa pprrooppoorrttiioonn ooff ttoottaall iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall nniigghhttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy1

- PPrrooppoorrttiioonn ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm nniigghhttss ccoommppaarreedd wwiitthh ttoottaall ttoouurriissmm nniigghhttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy

- PPrrooppoorrttiioonn ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm rreecceeiippttss iinn GGDDPP

- RRaattiioo ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm rreecceeiippttss ttoo eexxppeennddiittuurree

1) For 2000, share of nights spent by EU-15 residents.

0.6%

0.5%

70.9%

60.4%

8.6%

2.00

1.3%

0.8%

74.1%

68.8%

8.2%

1.76

4

Bulgaria’s attractiveness within the EU-27 area is still low. In
2006,  the  country  accounted  for  about  1.3%  of  total
international  nights  (0.6%  in  2000)  and  less  than  1%  of
total international tourism receipts within the EU-27 (0.5%
in 2000, Table 4.2.2.1). The weight of international tourism
is rather strong. In 2006, the share of foreign nights as a
proportion of total tourism nights in the country amounted
to  68.8%  (against  60.4%  in  2000).  Tourists  coming  from
the EU-25 area, in particular from neighbouring countries,
spent about 74% of these nights.

Germany is the main market of origin, accounting for about
a  third  of  total  tourism  nights  (about  45%  in  2001).  The
United  Kingdom  ranked  second  with  15.0%,  more  than
doubling its share in comparison to 2001 (6.3%), followed
by  Sweden  (3.8%),  Denmark  (3.2%),  Finland  and  Norway
(2.9%  each).  Globally,  the  first  six  markets  covered  about

Figure 4.2.2 - Situation of tourism in Bulgaria in 2000 and 2006

59%  of  total  international  tourism  nights  in  2006  (around
65% in 2001, Table 4.2.2.2). 

Tourism  contributes  substantially  to  the  local  economy.  In
2006, international tourism receipts accounted for 8.2% of
total GDP (8.6% in 2000) and represented almost twice the
amount  of  tourism  expenditure  (1.8  versus  2.0  in  2000).
This  indicates  that  inbound  tourism  is  much  higher  than
outbound tourism.

The  following  spider  plot  summarises  the  evolution  of  the
global tourism performance of Bulgaria in 2000 and 2006,
according to the six indicators considered above.

Table  4.2.2.2  -  Main  tourism  markets  in
Bulgaria  -  nights  spent  by  non-residents  (as  %
of total nights), 2001 and 2006

MMaarrkkeettss

- 11sstt mmaarrkkeett

- 22nndd mmaarrkkeett

- 33rrdd mmaarrkkeett

- 44tthh mmaarrkkeett

- 55tthh mmaarrkkeett

- 66tthh mmaarrkkeett

220000111

22000066

CCoouunnttrryy

%%

CCoouunnttrryy

%%

DE

UK

CH

BE

FI

AT

44.7

6.3

4.8

3.5

3.0

2.7

DE

UK

SE

DK

FI

NO

30.7

15.0

3.8

3.2

2.9

2.9

1) Data for 2000 not available.

46

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CCOOUUNNTTRRYY DDEESSCCRRIIPPTTIIOONN

4.2.3 CCzech RRepublic

The  Czech  Republic  and  particularly  its  capital  Prague  represent  an  ever-growing  destination  for  international  tourism  in
Europe, especially for tourists coming from central European markets. 

Table 4.2.3.1 - Main tourism indicators: Czech Republic in 2000 and 2006

IInnddiiccaattoorrss

22000000

22000066

- SShhaarree ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall nniigghhttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy aass aa pprrooppoorrttiioonn ooff ttoottaall iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall nniigghhttss iinn tthhee EEUU-2277

- SShhaarree ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm rreecceeiippttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy aass aa pprrooppoorrttiioonn ooff ttoottaall iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall rreecceeiippttss iinn tthhee EEUU-2277

- SShhaarree ooff nniigghhttss ssppeenntt bbyy EEUU-2255 rreessiiddeennttss aass aa pprrooppoorrttiioonn ooff ttoottaall iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall nniigghhttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy1

- PPrrooppoorrttiioonn ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm nniigghhttss ccoommppaarreedd wwiitthh ttoottaall ttoouurriissmm nniigghhttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy

- PPrrooppoorrttiioonn ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm rreecceeiippttss iinn GGDDPP

- RRaattiioo ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm rreecceeiippttss ttoo eexxppeennddiittuurree

1) For 2000, share of nights spent by EU-15 residents.

1.7%

1.5%

70.1%

35.3%

5.3%

2.33

2.1%

1.6%

72.6%

48.5%

3.5%

1.88

In  2006,  the  country  accounted  for  2.1%  of  total
international nights spent in the EU-27 area (1.7% in 2000)
and about 1.6% of international tourism receipts (1.5% in
2000, Table 4.2.3.1). This means a low average receipt per
night in comparison to other countries and reveals that the
profit  margin  on  incoming  tourism  was  lower  than  the
volume of incoming tourism. In 2006, non-resident tourists
spent  about  49%  of  total  nights  (about  35%  in  2000).
Around  73%  of  these  tourists  came  from  the  EU-25.  This
highlights the strong influence of intra-area tourism on the
national market.

Taking into account the six main markets of origin, in 2006,
Germany  ranked  first  with  30.1%  of  total  international
tourism  nights  (38.3%  in  2000),  followed  by  the  United
Kingdom with 7.6% (5.4%) and Italy with 5.7% (4.7%). The

other  EU-27  markets  included  in  the  ranking  were  the
Netherlands with 5.2% and Slovakia with 4.0%. The United
States ranked fifth with a share of 4.8% (Table 4.2.3.2).

The  contribution  of  international  tourism  receipts  to  the
country’s GDP decreased from 2000 to 2006 (from 5.3%
to 3.5%), as did the ratio of international tourism receipts to
expenditure  (from  2.3  to  1.9).  These  figures  indicate  that
although  expenditure  by  foreign  tourists  in  the  country
remained well above expenditure by Czech tourists abroad,
there was a decline in average expenditure by international
tourists.

The  following  spider  plot  summarises  the  evolution  of  the
global tourism performance of the Czech Republic in 2000
and  2006,  according  to  the  six  indicators  considered
above.

4

Figure 4.2.3 - Situation of tourism in the Czech Republic
in 2000 and 2006

Table  4.2.3.2  -  Main  tourism  markets  in  the
Czech  Republic  -  nights  spent  by  non-residents
(as % of total nights), 2002 and 2006

MMaarrkkeettss

- 11sstt mmaarrkkeett

- 22nndd mmaarrkkeett

- 33rrdd mmaarrkkeett

- 44tthh mmaarrkkeett

- 55tthh mmaarrkkeett

- 66tthh mmaarrkkeett

220000221

22000066

CCoouunnttrryy

%%

CCoouunnttrryy

%%

DE

PL

UK

IT

NL

SK

38.3

5.5

5.4

4.7

4.2

4.0

DE

UK

IT

NL

US

SK

30.1

7.6

5.7

5.2

4.8

4.0

1) Data for 2000 not available.

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47

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CCOOUUNNTTRRYY DDEESSCCRRIIPPTTIIOONN

4.2.4 DDenmark

Denmark is more a generator of tourism flows, both at home and abroad, than an international tourism destination.

Table 4.2.4.1 - Main tourism indicators: Denmark in 2000 and 2006

IInnddiiccaattoorrss

22000000

22000066

- SShhaarree ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall nniigghhttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy aass aa pprrooppoorrttiioonn ooff ttoottaall iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall nniigghhttss iinn tthhee EEUU-2277

- SShhaarree ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm rreecceeiippttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy aass aa pprrooppoorrttiioonn ooff ttoottaall iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall rreecceeiippttss iinn tthhee EEUU-2277

- SShhaarree ooff nniigghhttss ssppeenntt bbyy EEUU-2255 rreessiiddeennttss aass aa pprrooppoorrttiioonn ooff ttoottaall iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall nniigghhttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy

- PPrrooppoorrttiioonn ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm nniigghhttss ccoommppaarreedd wwiitthh ttoottaall ttoouurriissmm nniigghhttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy

- PPrrooppoorrttiioonn ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm rreecceeiippttss iinn GGDDPP

- RRaattiioo ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm rreecceeiippttss ttoo eexxppeennddiittuurree

1.1%

1.8%

73.2%

39.8%

2.3%

0.79

1.0%

1.6%

69.0%

34.7%

1.9%

0.76

4

In  2006,  international  nights  spent  in  the  country
represented 1.0% of total international nights in the EU-27
area  (1.1%  in  2000,  Table  4.2.4.1).  The  share  of
international  tourism  receipts  was  1.6%  (1.8%  in  2000).
This means that the profit margin on incoming tourism was
higher  than  the  volume  of  incoming  tourism.  Domestic
tourism  is  prevalent.  In  both  2000  and  2006,  the
proportion of nights spent by non-residents as a proportion
of  total  nights  was  lower  than  40%  (39.8%  and  34.7%
respectively). Tourists living in EU-25 countries spent 69.0%
of these nights (73.2% in 2000). 

The  most  important  markets  were  the  neighbouring
countries Germany, Norway and Sweden, which accounted
for nearly two-thirds of total international nights (68.6% in
2000).  The  Netherlands  ranked  fourth  in  this  list  (7.8%  in
2006  versus  6.5%  in  2000)  followed  by  the  United

Kingdom (6.2% versus 4.9%) and the United States (4.4%
versus 3.3%, Table 4.2.4.2).

Receipts  from  international  tourism  amounted  to  about
1.9% of GDP in 2006 (2.3% in 2000) and accounted for
76% of expenditure (79% in 2000). This clearly confirms the
dominance of outbound over inbound tourism.

The  following  spider  plot  summarises  the  evolution  of  the
global  tourism  performance  of  Denmark  in  2000  and
2006, according to the six indicators considered above. 

Figure 4.2.4 - Situation of tourism in Denmark in 2000 and 2006

Table  4.2.4.2  -  Main  tourism  markets  in
Denmark - nights spent by non-residents (as %
of total nights), 2000 and 2006

MMaarrkkeettss

- 11sstt mmaarrkkeett

- 22nndd mmaarrkkeett

- 33rrdd mmaarrkkeett

- 44tthh mmaarrkkeett

- 55tthh mmaarrkkeett

- 66tthh mmaarrkkeett

22000000

22000066

CCoouunnttrryy

%%

CCoouunnttrryy

%%

DE

SE

NO

NL

UK

US

34.0

DE

20.8

NO

13.8

6.5

4.9

3.3

SE

NL

UK

US

28.4

16.7

16.4

7.8

6.2

4.4

48

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4.2.5 GGermany

Germany is one of the main countries of origin for international tourism, both at home and abroad.

CCOOUUNNTTRRYY DDEESSCCRRIIPPTTIIOONN

Table 4.2.5.1 - Main tourism indicators: Germany in 2000 and 2006

IInnddiiccaattoorrss

22000000

22000066

- SShhaarree ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall nniigghhttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy aass aa pprrooppoorrttiioonn ooff ttoottaall iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall nniigghhttss iinn tthhee EEUU-2277

- SShhaarree ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm rreecceeiippttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy aass aa pprrooppoorrttiioonn ooff ttoottaall iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall rreecceeiippttss iinn tthhee EEUU-2277

- SShhaarree ooff nniigghhttss ssppeenntt bbyy EEUU-2255 rreessiiddeennttss aass aa pprrooppoorrttiioonn ooff ttoottaall iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall nniigghhttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy

- PPrrooppoorrttiioonn ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm nniigghhttss ccoommppaarreedd wwiitthh ttoottaall ttoouurriissmm nniigghhttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy

- PPrrooppoorrttiioonn ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm rreecceeiippttss iinn GGDDPP

- RRaattiioo ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm rreecceeiippttss ttoo eexxppeennddiittuurree

4.8%

9.3%

61.1%

14.2%

1.0%

0.35

5.5%

10.3%

61.3%

15.1%

1.1%

0.44

for  5.5%  of 

total
In  2006,  Germany  accounted 
international  nights  spent  within  the  EU-27  area  (4.8%  in
2000), but 10.3% of international tourism receipts (9.3% in
2000, Table 4.2.5.1). This means that the profit margin on
incoming  tourism  was  much  higher  than  the  volume  of
incoming tourism. The influence of international tourism is
quite  low.  In  2006,  the  share  of  foreign  nights  as  a
proportion of total tourism nights in the country amounted
to 15.1% (14.2% in 2000). Tourists coming from the EU-25
area countries spent more than 60% of these nights.

Four  of  the  six  main  markets  of  origin  were  in  the  EU-27
area.  The  Netherlands  ranked  first  with  16.6%  (17.3%  in
2000) of total international nights, followed by the United
States with 8.8% (11.9% in 2000), the United Kingdom with
8.6% (9.6% in 2000), Switzerland (6.5%), Italy (5.4%) and
Belgium  (4.3%).  Altogether,  these  markets  covered  about

50%  of  total  international  nights  in  the  country  (Table
4.2.5.2). The first three main markets lost shares between
2000 and 2006 while the next three (Switzerland, Italy and
Belgium) could improve their position.

The  contribution  of  international  tourism  receipts  to  the
country's  GDP  (1.1%)  is  low  compared  to  the  other  “old”
Member States, confirming that the impact of tourism on the
country's economy is still rather limited. In 2006, the ratio of
international tourism receipts to expenditure was 44% (35%
in 2000), which means that outbound tourism far exceeded
inbound demand.

The  following  spider  plot  summarises  the  evolution  of  the
global  tourism  performance  of  Germany  in  2000  and
2006, according to the six indicators considered above.

4

Figure 4.2.5 - Situation of tourism in Germany in 2000 and 2006

Table  4.2.5.2  -  Main  tourism  markets  in
Germany-  nights  spent  by  non-residents  (as  %
of total nights), 2000 and 2006

MMaarrkkeettss

- 11sstt mmaarrkkeett

- 22nndd mmaarrkkeett

- 33rrdd mmaarrkkeett

- 44tthh mmaarrkkeett

- 55tthh mmaarrkkeett

- 66tthh mmaarrkkeett

22000000

22000066

CCoouunnttrryy

%%

CCoouunnttrryy

%%

NL

US

UK

IT

CH

FR

17.3

11.9

9.6

5.3

5.1

4.2

NL

US

UK

CH

IT

BE

16.6

8.8

8.6

6.5

5.4

4.3

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CCOOUUNNTTRRYY DDEESSCCRRIIPPTTIIOONN

4.2.6 EEstonia

Estonia, one of the Baltic States, is an emerging destination of tourism in Europe.

Table 4.2.6.1 - Main tourism indicators: Estonia in 2000 and 2006

IInnddiiccaattoorrss

22000000

22000066

- SShhaarree ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall nniigghhttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy aass aa pprrooppoorrttiioonn ooff ttoottaall iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall nniigghhttss iinn tthhee EEUU-2277

- SShhaarree ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm rreecceeiippttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy aass aa pprrooppoorrttiioonn ooff ttoottaall iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall rreecceeiippttss iinn tthhee EEUU-2277

- SShhaarree ooff nniigghhttss ssppeenntt bbyy EEUU-2255 rreessiiddeennttss aass aa pprrooppoorrttiioonn ooff ttoottaall iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall nniigghhttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy

- PPrrooppoorrttiioonn ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm nniigghhttss ccoommppaarreedd wwiitthh ttoottaall ttoouurriissmm nniigghhttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy

- PPrrooppoorrttiioonn ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm rreecceeiippttss iinn GGDDPP

- RRaattiioo ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm rreecceeiippttss ttoo eexxppeennddiittuurree

0.1%

0.3%

82.4%

73.2%

9.0%

2.48

0.3%

0.3%

84.0%

66.5%

6.2%

1.74

4

Estonia’s attractiveness within the EU-27 area is still low. In
2006,  the  country  accounted  for  less  than  0.5%  of  both
total  international  nights  and  total  international  tourism
receipts  within  the  EU-27  (Table  4.2.6.1).  The  weight  of
international tourism is strong. In 2006, the share of foreign
nights as a proportion of total tourism nights in the country
amounted to 66.5% (73.2% in 2000). Tourists coming from
the EU-25 area, in particular from neighbouring countries,
spent 84.0% of these nights (82.4% in 2000). 

Finland is the main market of origin, accounting for about
50% of total tourism nights (around 59% in 2002). Sweden
ranked  second  with  7.8%  (6.2%  in  2002),  followed  by
Germany 6.1% (5.8% in 2002), the United Kingdom (5.2%
against  4.1%),  Norway  (4.5%  against  2.8%)  and  Latvia
(3.4%). Globally, these markets covered about 77% of total
international tourism nights in 2006. Compared with 2002,

Figure 4.2.6 - Situation of tourism in Estonia in 2000 and 2006

Latvia  ranked  sixth,  overtaking  the  United  States,  and
contributed  to  a  growth  in  intra-area  tourism  (Table
4.2.6.2).

Tourism  contributes  substantially  to  the  local  economy.  In
2006, international tourism receipts accounted for 6.2% of
total  GDP  (9.0%  in  2000).  Its  absolute  figure  was  almost
twice the amount of tourism expenditure (1.7 versus 2.5 in
2000). This indicates that inbound tourism was much higher
than outbound tourism.

The  following  spider  plot  summarises  the  evolution  of  the
global tourism performance of Estonia in 2000 and 2006,
according to the six indicators considered above.

Table 4.2.6.2 - Main tourism markets in Estonia
-  nights  spent  by  non-residents  (as  %  of  total
nights), 2002 and 2006

MMaarrkkeettss

- 11sstt mmaarrkkeett

- 22nndd mmaarrkkeett

- 33rrdd mmaarrkkeett

- 44tthh mmaarrkkeett

- 55tthh mmaarrkkeett

- 66tthh mmaarrkkeett

220000221

22000066

CCoouunnttrryy

%%

CCoouunnttrryy

%%

FI

SE

DE

UK

NO

US

58.7

6.2

5.8

4.1

2.8

2.1

FI

SE

DE

UK

NO

LV

49.7

7.8

6.1

5.2

4.5

3.4

1) Data for 2000 not available.

50

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CCOOUUNNTTRRYY DDEESSCCRRIIPPTTIIOONN

4.2.7 IIreland

Ireland is both a country of origin for international tourism and a destination. In particular, it has one of the highest outbound
tourism rates in Europe, along with the Netherlands. Even if lower in absolute values, outbound tourism has grown faster than
inbound tourism in recent years, brought on by both the improvement of the economy and the increase in low-cost flights.

Table 4.2.7.1 - Main tourism indicators: Ireland in 2000 and 2006

IInnddiiccaattoorrss

22000000

22000066

- SShhaarree ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall nniigghhttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy aass aa pprrooppoorrttiioonn ooff ttoottaall iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall nniigghhttss iinn tthhee EEUU-2277

- SShhaarree ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm rreecceeiippttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy aass aa pprrooppoorrttiioonn ooff ttoottaall iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall rreecceeiippttss iinn tthhee EEUU-2277

- SShhaarree ooff nniigghhttss ssppeenntt bbyy EEUU-2255 rreessiiddeennttss aass aa pprrooppoorrttiioonn ooff ttoottaall iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall nniigghhttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy

- PPrrooppoorrttiioonn ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm nniigghhttss ccoommppaarreedd wwiitthh ttoottaall ttoouurriissmm nniigghhttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy

- PPrrooppoorrttiioonn ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm rreecceeiippttss iinn GGDDPP

- RRaattiioo ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm rreecceeiippttss ttoo eexxppeennddiittuurree

2.3%

1.3%

:

69.2%

2.7%

1.04

2.3%

1.7%

:

64.3%

2.4%

0.78

In  2006,  the  country  accounted  for  2.3%  (no  change
compared with 2000) of total international nights spent in
the EU-27 area and 1.7% of international tourism receipts
(1.3% in 2000, Table 4.2.7.1). This indicates that there is
still a span between the profit margin on incoming tourism
and  the  volume  of  incoming  tourism,  but  with  a  positive
trend  for  the  profit  margin  to  make  up  for  the  gap.
International  tourists  spent  about  64%  of  total  tourism
nights in the country (about 69% in 2000). 

In 2006, the contribution of international tourism receipts to
the country’s GDP was 2.4% (2.7% in 2000) and receipts
amounted to 78% of expenditure (104% in 2000), meaning
that  expenditure  by  Irish  tourists  abroad  still  exceeded  the
gains from inbound tourism significantly, albeit with a falling
trend. 

Figure 4.2.7 - Situation of tourism in Ireland in 2000 and 2006

The  following  spider  plot  summarises  the  evolution  of  the
global tourism performance of Ireland in 2000 and 2006,
according to the six indicators considered above.

4

Table 4.2.7.2 - Main tourism markets in Ireland
-  nights  spent  by  non-residents  (as  %  of  total
nights), 2000 and 2006

MMaarrkkeettss

- 11sstt mmaarrkkeett

- 22nndd mmaarrkkeett

- 33rrdd mmaarrkkeett

- 44tthh mmaarrkkeett

- 55tthh mmaarrkkeett

- 66tthh mmaarrkkeett

22000000

22000066

CCoouunnttrryy

%%

CCoouunnttrryy

%%

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

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CCOOUUNNTTRRYY DDEESSCCRRIIPPTTIIOONN

4.2.8 GGreece

Greece is one of the most popular tourism destinations in Europe, especially for beach tourism.

Table 4.2.8.1 - Main tourism indicators: Greece in 2000 and 2006

IInnddiiccaattoorrss

22000000

22000066

- SShhaarree ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall nniigghhttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy aass aa pprrooppoorrttiioonn ooff ttoottaall iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall nniigghhttss iinn tthhee EEUU-2277

- SShhaarree ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm rreecceeiippttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy aass aa pprrooppoorrttiioonn ooff ttoottaall iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall rreecceeiippttss iinn tthhee EEUU-2277

- SShhaarree ooff nniigghhttss ssppeenntt bbyy EEUU-2255 rreessiiddeennttss aass aa pprrooppoorrttiioonn ooff ttoottaall iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall nniigghhttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy

- PPrrooppoorrttiioonn ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm nniigghhttss ccoommppaarreedd wwiitthh ttoottaall ttoouurriissmm nniigghhttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy

- PPrrooppoorrttiioonn ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm rreecceeiippttss iinn GGDDPP

- RRaattiioo ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm rreecceeiippttss ttoo eexxppeennddiittuurree

5.3%

4.6%

83.1%

75.6%

7.3%

2.03

4.5%

4.3%

80.4%

74.5%

5.2%

4.51

4

The  country  absorbs  a  significant  amount  of  international
tourism.  In  2006,  nights  spent  by  international  tourists  in
Greece  accounted  for  4.5%  of  total  international  nights
spent within the EU-27 area (5.3% in 2000, Table 4.2.8.1).
Similarly,  the  share  of  international  tourism  receipts  was
about  4.3%  (4.6%  in  2000).  International  tourism  is
prevalent. In 2006, non-resident tourists generated almost
three  quarters  of  total  tourism  nights  (75.6%  in  2000).
Tourists coming from the EU-25 area spent about 80% of
them (about 83% in 2000).

Germany,  as  the  primary  market  of  origin,  accounted  for
21.2% of total nights, against 30.7% in 2000. The United
Kingdom  ranked  second  with  16.7%  (17.6%  in  2000),
followed  by  Italy  (7.5%),  France  (6.1%),  the  Netherlands
(5.8%)  and  Austria  (3.9%).  Altogether,  these  markets

accounted for more than 61% of total international nights
(about 69% in 2000, Table 4.2.8.2). 

Tourism  contributes  significantly  to  the  local  economy.  In
2006,  international  tourism  receipts  accounted  for  about
5.2% of total GDP (7.3% in 2000) and was more than four
times higher than tourism expenditure (203% in 2000). This
means  that  expenditure  by  non-resident  tourists  in  the
country  was  well  above  expenditure  by  Greek  tourists
abroad. 

The  following  spider  plot  summarises  the  evolution  of  the
global tourism performance of Greece in 2000 and 2006,
according to the six indicators considered above.

Figure 4.2.8 - Situation of tourism in Greece in 2000 and 2006

Table 4.2.8.2 - Main tourism markets in Greece
-  nights  spent  by  non-residents  (as  %  of  total
nights), 2000 and 2006

MMaarrkkeettss

- 11sstt mmaarrkkeett

- 22nndd mmaarrkkeett

- 33rrdd mmaarrkkeett

- 44tthh mmaarrkkeett

- 55tthh mmaarrkkeett

- 66tthh mmaarrkkeett

22000000

22000066

CCoouunnttrryy

%%

CCoouunnttrryy

%%

DE

UK

IT

FR

NL

AT

30.7

17.6

5.8

4.9

4.9

4.6

DE

UK

IT

FR

NL

AT

21.2

16.7

7.5

6.1

5.8

3.9

52

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CCOOUUNNTTRRYY DDEESSCCRRIIPPTTIIOONN

4.2.9 SSpain

Spain is one of the main tourism destinations in the world and is the best performer within the EU-27. It is also growing as a
country  of  origin  of  international  tourism.  Outbound  tourism  flows  show  an  interesting  trend,  resulting  from  the  country’s
economic prosperity and the increase in low-cost flights.

Table 4.2.9.1 - Main tourism indicators: Spain in 2000 and 2006

IInnddiiccaattoorrss

22000000

22000066

- SShhaarree ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall nniigghhttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy aass aa pprrooppoorrttiioonn ooff ttoottaall iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall nniigghhttss iinn tthhee EEUU-2277

- SShhaarree ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm rreecceeiippttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy aass aa pprrooppoorrttiioonn ooff ttoottaall iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall rreecceeiippttss iinn tthhee EEUU-2255

- SShhaarree ooff nniigghhttss ssppeenntt bbyy EEUU-2255 rreessiiddeennttss aass aa pprrooppoorrttiioonn ooff ttoottaall iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall nniigghhttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy

- PPrrooppoorrttiioonn ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm nniigghhttss ccoommppaarreedd wwiitthh ttoottaall ttoouurriissmm nniigghhttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy

- PPrrooppoorrttiioonn ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm rreecceeiippttss iinn GGDDPP

- RRaattiioo ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm rreecceeiippttss ttoo eexxppeennddiittuurree

26.2%

14.9%

90.3%

67.9%

5.1%

5.03

23.5%

16.0%

88.8%

59.2%

4.2%

3.07

In  2006,  the  country  accounted  for  about  23%  of  total
international nights spent within the EU-27 area (about 26%
in  2000)  and  16.0%  of  international  tourism  receipts
(14.9% in 2000, Table 4.2.9.1). This results in a relatively
low average receipt per night in comparison to other EU-27
countries,  i.e.  the  profit  margin  on  incoming  tourism  is
lower  than  the  volume  of  incoming  tourism.  Non-resident
tourists spent 59.2% of total nights in the country (67.9% in
2000).  Almost  89%  of  these  nights  were  recorded  for
tourists coming from EU-25 countries (little more than 90%
in 2000). This highlights the strong influence of intra-area
tourism on the national market.

The United Kingdom and Germany are the main markets of
origin,  accounting  together  for  about  58%  of  total
international nights in 2006 (about 61% in 2000). France
ranked  third  with  6.2%  (5.1%  in  2000),  followed  by  the
Netherlands (5.6%), Italy (4.4%) and Belgium (3.1%). These

countries  together  represented  about  77%  of  total
international  nights  spent  in  Spain  (about  79%  in  2000,
Table 4.2.9.2).

In 2006, the contribution of international tourism receipts to
the  country’s  GDP  was  relatively  high  compared  to  other
EU-27 countries (4.2% against 5.1% in 2000). Looking at
the ratio of international tourism receipts to expenditure, in
2006 it was 3.1 against 5.0 in 2000. Although the balance
is still positive, the decline derives from both a decrease in
expenditure  by  international  tourists  in  the  country  and  a
corresponding  upturn  of  expenses  by  Spanish  tourists
abroad. This confirms that Spain is growing as a country of
origin of international tourism. 

The  following  spider  plot  summarises  the  overall  tourism
performance of Spain in 2000 and 2006, according to the
six indicators considered above.

4

Figure 4.2.9 - Situation of tourism in Spain in 2000 and 2006

Table 4.2.9.2 - Main tourism markets in Spain -
nights  spent  by  non-residents  (as  %  of  total
nights), 2000 and 2006

MMaarrkkeettss

- 11sstt mmaarrkkeett

- 22nndd mmaarrkkeett

- 33rrdd mmaarrkkeett

- 44tthh mmaarrkkeett

- 55tthh mmaarrkkeett

- 66tthh mmaarrkkeett

22000000

22000066

CCoouunnttrryy

%%

CCoouunnttrryy

%%

UK

DE

NL

FR

BE

IT

31.3

29.9

6.2

5.1

3.4

3.2

UK

DE

FR

NL

IT

BE

31.1

26.8

6.2

5.6

4.4

3.1

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CCOOUUNNTTRRYY DDEESSCCRRIIPPTTIIOONN

4.2.10 FFrance

Along with Spain, France is one of the main tourism destinations in the world. It is also one of the main generators of tourism,
primarily within the country itself but also abroad.

Table 4.2.10.1 - Main tourism indicators: France in 2000 and 2006

IInnddiiccaattoorrss

22000000

22000066

- SShhaarree ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall nniigghhttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy aass aa pprrooppoorrttiioonn ooff ttoottaall iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall nniigghhttss iinn tthhee EEUU-2277

- SShhaarree ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm rreecceeiippttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy aass aa pprrooppoorrttiioonn ooff ttoottaall iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall rreecceeiippttss iinn tthhee EEUU-2277

- SShhaarree ooff nniigghhttss ssppeenntt bbyy EEUU-2255 rreessiiddeennttss aass aa pprrooppoorrttiioonn ooff ttoottaall iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall nniigghhttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy

- PPrrooppoorrttiioonn ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm nniigghhttss ccoommppaarreedd wwiitthh ttoottaall ttoouurriissmm nniigghhttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy

- PPrrooppoorrttiioonn ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm rreecceeiippttss iinn GGDDPP

- RRaattiioo ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm rreecceeiippttss ttoo eexxppeennddiittuurree

12.3%

15.3%

73.0%

38.5%

2.3%

1.73

11.1%

14.5%

76.8%

35.6%

2.1%

1.49

4

In  2006,  the  country  accounted  for  about  11%  of  total
international  tourism  nights  spent  within  the  EU-27  area
(more than 12% in 2000) and 14.5% of total international
receipts in the same area (15.3% in 2000, Table 4.2.10.1).
In  spite  of  France’s  international  popularity,  the  share  of
international tourism nights as a proportion of total tourism
nights in the country (35.6% in 2006 versus 38.5% in 2000)
is low compared to Greece and Spain, because of the high
proportion  of  domestic  tourism.  However,  the  share  of
nights spent by tourists who are resident in the EU-25 area
was  76.8%  (73.0%  in  2000).  This  confirms  the  strong
influence of intra-area tourism on the national market.

The  United  Kingdom,  as  the  main  country  of  origin,
accounted for almost 21% of total international nights. The
Netherlands  with  17.5%,  Germany  with  12.2%  and
Belgium  with  8.0%  followed  (15.7%,  13.5%  and  7.2%

respectively in 2000). Italy and the United States ranked fifth
and sixth with shares of 7.8% and 6.7%. Altogether, the six
main markets covered 72.7% of total international nights in
France (Table 4.2.10.2). 

The  contribution  of  international  tourism  receipts  to  the
country’s  GDP  is  low  (2.1%  in  2006,  2.3%  in  2000)  in
comparison to Spain and Greece. The ratio of international
tourism receipts to expenditure (1.5 in 2006 versus 1.7 in
2000)  also  shows  a  lower  value  than  in  the  two  other
countries. This latter figure confirms that France is not only
one of the most important tourism destinations, but that it is
also  growing  as  one  of  the  main  countries  of  origin  of
international tourism. 

The  following  spider  plot  summarises  the  overall  tourism
performance of France in 2000 and 2006, according to the
six indicators considered above.

Figure 4.2.10 - Situation of tourism in France in 2000 and 2006

Table 4.2.10.2 - Main tourism markets in France
-  nights  spent  by  non-residents  (as  %  of  total
nights), 2000 and 2006

MMaarrkkeettss

- 11sstt mmaarrkkeett

- 22nndd mmaarrkkeett

- 33rrdd mmaarrkkeett

- 44tthh mmaarrkkeett

- 55tthh mmaarrkkeett

- 66tthh mmaarrkkeett

22000000

22000066

CCoouunnttrryy

%%

CCoouunnttrryy

%%

UK

NL

DE

US

IT

BE

20.0

15.7

13.5

9.4

8.2

7.2

UK

NL

DE

BE

IT

US

20.5

17.5

12.2

8.0

7.8

6.7

54

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CCOOUUNNTTRRYY DDEESSCCRRIIPPTTIIOONN

4.2.11 IItaly

Together with France and Spain, Italy is traditionally one of the main destinations for tourism in both Europe and the world.
In recent years, the country has been losing ground on the international tourism market while at the same time strengthening
its role as one of the most important generators of tourism abroad, following the tourism pattern of western European countries
in general.

Table 4.2.11.1 - Main tourism indicators: Italy in 2000 and 2006

IInnddiiccaattoorrss

22000000

22000066

- SShhaarree ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall nniigghhttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy aass aa pprrooppoorrttiioonn ooff ttoottaall iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall nniigghhttss iinn tthhee EEUU-2277

- SShhaarree ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm rreecceeiippttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy aass aa pprrooppoorrttiioonn ooff ttoottaall iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall rreecceeiippttss iinn tthhee EEUU-2277

- SShhaarree ooff nniigghhttss ssppeenntt bbyy EEUU-2255 rreessiiddeennttss aass aa pprrooppoorrttiioonn ooff ttoottaall iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall nniigghhttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy

- PPrrooppoorrttiioonn ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm nniigghhttss ccoommppaarreedd wwiitthh ttoottaall ttoouurriissmm nniigghhttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy

- PPrrooppoorrttiioonn ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm rreecceeiippttss iinn GGDDPP

- RRaattiioo ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm rreecceeiippttss ttoo eexxppeennddiittuurree

15.7%

13.8%

75.0%

41.4%

2.5%

1.76

16.4%

11.9%

70.9%

42.8%

2.1%

1.66

In  2006,  the  country  accounted  for  16.4%  of  total
international nights spent within the EU-27 area (15.7% in
2000) and 11.9% of international tourism receipts (13.8%
in  2000,  Table  4.2.11.1).  This  results  in  a  rather  low
average  receipt  per  night  in  comparison  to  other  EU-27
destinations and shows that the profit margin of incoming
tourism  was  lower  than  the  volume  of  incoming  tourism.
Non-resident  tourists  spent  about  43%  of  total  tourism
nights in the country (about 41% in 2000). More than 70%
of  these  nights  were  recorded  for  tourists  from  the  EU-25
area (75.0% in 2000). 

Germany,  as  the  main  country  of  origin,  accounted  for
almost  a  quarter  of  total  international  nights  (37.3%  in
2000). The United Kingdom occupied second place (8.1%
versus 6.8% in 2000), followed by the United States (7.7%
versus  6.7%),  France  (6.3%),  the  Netherlands  (5.7%)  and

Figure 4.2.11 - Situation of tourism in Italy in 2000 and 2006

Austria  (4.9%).  Altogether,  the  six  main  markets  covered
62.3% of total international nights in Italy (67.9% in 2000,
Table 4.2.11.2).

As  for  France,  the  contribution  of  international  tourism
receipts to the country’s GDP is low (2.1% in 2006 versus
2.5% in 2000) in comparison to Spain and Greece. This is
also the case for the ratio of international tourism receipts
to expenditure (1.7 in 2006 against 1.8 in 2000). This latter
figure  confirms  that  Italy  is  not  only  one  of  the  most
important tourism destinations, but that it is also growing as
one of the main countries of origin of international tourism. 

The  following  spider  plot  summarises  the  overall  tourism
performance of Italy in 2000 and 2006, according to the
six indicators considered above.

4

Table 4.2.11.2 - Main tourism markets in Italy -
nights  spent  by  non-residents  (as  %  of  total
nights), 2000 and 2006

MMaarrkkeettss

- 11sstt mmaarrkkeett

- 22nndd mmaarrkkeett

- 33rrdd mmaarrkkeett

- 44tthh mmaarrkkeett

- 55tthh mmaarrkkeett

- 66tthh mmaarrkkeett

22000000

22000066

CCoouunnttrryy

%%

CCoouunnttrryy

%%

DE

UK

US

FR

AT

NL

37.3

6.8

6.7

6.5

5.9

4.7

DE

UK

US

FR

NL

AT

29.6

8.1

7.7

6.3

5.7

4.9

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CCOOUUNNTTRRYY DDEESSCCRRIIPPTTIIOONN

4.2.12 CCyprus

Due to its geographical location and characteristics, Cyprus is mainly a destination for international tourism.

Table 4.2.12.1 - Main tourism indicators: Cyprus in 2000 and 2006

IInnddiiccaattoorrss

22000000

22000066

- SShhaarree ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall nniigghhttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy aass aa pprrooppoorrttiioonn ooff ttoottaall iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall nniigghhttss iinn tthhee EEUU-2277

- SShhaarree ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm rreecceeiippttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy aass aa pprrooppoorrttiioonn ooff ttoottaall iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall rreecceeiippttss iinn tthhee EEUU-2277

- SShhaarree ooff nniigghhttss ssppeenntt bbyy EEUU-2255 rreessiiddeennttss aass aa pprrooppoorrttiioonn ooff ttoottaall iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall nniigghhttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy

- PPrrooppoorrttiioonn ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm nniigghhttss ccoommppaarreedd wwiitthh ttoottaall ttoouurriissmm nniigghhttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy

- PPrrooppoorrttiioonn ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm rreecceeiippttss iinn GGDDPP

- RRaattiioo ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm rreecceeiippttss ttoo eexxppeennddiittuurree

1.9%

1.0%

82.7%

96.5%

20.8%

4.69

1.4%

0.8%

84.0%

92.2%

13.2%

2.45

4

In  2006,  the  island  accounted  for  1.4%  of  international
tourism nights spent in the EU-27 (1.9% in 2000) and less
than 1% of international tourism receipts (Table 4.2.12.1).
The  local  tourism  market  is  dominated  by  international
tourism. In 2006, nights spent by non-residents amounted
to  92.2%  of  total  nights  in  the  country  (96.5%  in  2000).
84.0%  of  these  nights  were  recorded  for  tourists  coming
from  the  EU-25  area  (82.7%  in  2000),  confirming  the
strong  influence  of  intra-area  tourism  on  the  national
market.

Tourists  from  the  United  Kingdom  represented  the  first
market,  covering  more  than  half  of  total  international
tourism nights spent on the island. Germany ranked second
(8.9%  in  2006  against  12.2%  in  2000),  followed  by
Sweden  (5.5%),  Norway  (3.5%),  Switzerland  (2.0%)  and
France (1.9%, Table 4.2.12.2). 

Figure 4.2.12 - Situation of tourism in Cyprus in 2000 and 2006

International  tourism  makes  an  important  contribution  to
the local economy. In 2006, tourism receipts accounted for
13.2% of total GDP (20.8% in 2000) and represented more
than twice the amount of tourism expenditure (4.7 in 2000).
This  means  that  inbound  tourism  was  much  higher  than
outbound tourism.  

The  following  spider  plot  summarises  the  overall  tourism
performance  of  Cyprus  in  2000  and  2006,  according  to
the six indicators considered above. 

Table 4.2.12.2 - Main tourism markets in Cyprus
-  nights  spent  by  non-residents  (as  %  of  total
nights), 2000 and 2006

MMaarrkkeettss

- 11sstt mmaarrkkeett

- 22nndd mmaarrkkeett

- 33rrdd mmaarrkkeett

- 44tthh mmaarrkkeett

- 55tthh mmaarrkkeett

- 66tthh mmaarrkkeett

22000000

22000066

CCoouunnttrryy

%%

CCoouunnttrryy

%%

UK

DE

SE

CH

NO

NL

53.3

12.2

5.3

3.8

2.6

2.2

UK

DE

SE

NO

CH

FR

55.4

8.9

5.5

3.5

2.0

1.9

56

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CCOOUUNNTTRRYY DDEESSCCRRIIPPTTIIOONN

4.2.13 LLatvia

Along with Estonia and Lithuania, Latvia is one of the Baltic States, which are emerging origins/destinations of international
tourism in Europe.

Table 4.2.13.1 - Main tourism indicators: Latvia in 2000 and 2006

IInnddiiccaattoorrss

22000000

22000066

- SShhaarree ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall nniigghhttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy aass aa pprrooppoorrttiioonn ooff ttoottaall iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall nniigghhttss iinn tthhee EEUU-2277

- SShhaarree ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm rreecceeiippttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy aass aa pprrooppoorrttiioonn ooff ttoottaall iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall rreecceeiippttss iinn tthhee EEUU-2277

- SShhaarree ooff nniigghhttss ssppeenntt bbyy EEUU-2255 rreessiiddeennttss aass aa pprrooppoorrttiioonn ooff ttoottaall iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall nniigghhttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy1

- PPrrooppoorrttiioonn ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm nniigghhttss ccoommppaarreedd wwiitthh ttoottaall ttoouurriissmm nniigghhttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy

- PPrrooppoorrttiioonn ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm rreecceeiippttss iinn GGDDPP

- RRaattiioo ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm rreecceeiippttss ttoo eexxppeennddiittuurree

1) For 2000, share of nights spent by EU-15 residents.

0.1%

0.1%

44.3%

47.0%

1.7%

0.53

0.2%

0.2%

69.6%

60.1%

2.5%

0.69

Like Estonia, Latvia’s attractiveness within the EU-27 area is
still low. In 2006, the country recorded less than 0.5% for
both  total  international  nights  and  total  international
tourism  receipts  within  the  EU-27  (Table  4.2.13.1).
However, the impact of international tourism is lower than
in Estonia, even if it is growing fast in comparison to 2000.
In 2006, the share of foreign nights as a proportion of total
tourism nights in the country amounted to 60.1% (47.0% in
2000),  with  tourists  coming  from  the  EU-25  area,  in
particular  from  neighbouring  countries,  accounting  for
almost 70% of these nights.

Germany,  as  the  main  market  of  origin,  accounted  for
almost 13% of total tourism nights. Finland ranked second
with  10.0%,  followed  by  the  United  Kingdom  (9.2%),
Estonia and Lithuania (7.2% each) and Norway (6.5%). In

total, the six main markets covered more than 50% of total
international tourism nights (Table 4.2.13.2).

In contrast to Estonia, however, tourism contributes little to
the  local  economy  in  comparison  to  other  economic
sectors.  In  2006,  international  tourism  receipts  accounted
for  2.5%  of  total  GDP  (1.7%  in  2000)  and  represented
about  69%  of  tourism  expenditure  (about  53%  in  2000).
This means that expenditure by Latvian tourists abroad was
higher than expenditure by non-resident tourists in Latvia. 

The  following  spider  plot  summarises  the  overall  tourism
performance of Latvia in 2000 and 2006, according to the
six indicators considered above.

4

Figure 4.2.13 - Situation of tourism in Latvia in 2000 and 2006

Table 4.2.13.2 - Main tourism markets in Latvia
-  nights  spent  by  non-residents  (as  %  of  total
nights), 2003 and 2006

MMaarrkkeettss

- 11sstt mmaarrkkeett

- 22nndd mmaarrkkeett

- 33rrdd mmaarrkkeett

- 44tthh mmaarrkkeett

- 55tthh mmaarrkkeett

- 66tthh mmaarrkkeett

220000331

22000066

CCoouunnttrryy

%%

CCoouunnttrryy

%%

DE

FI

UK

SE

US

NO

13.1

12.3

5.5

5.3

3.8

2.9

DE

FI

UK

LT

EE

NO

12.7

10.0

9.2

7.2

7.2

6.5

1) Data for 2000 not available.

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CCOOUUNNTTRRYY DDEESSCCRRIIPPTTIIOONN

4.2.14 LLithuania

Lithuania, like the other Baltic States, is an emerging tourism market in Europe.

Table 4.2.14.1 - Main tourism indicators: Lithuania in 2000 and 2006

IInnddiiccaattoorrss

22000000

22000066

- SShhaarree ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall nniigghhttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy aass aa pprrooppoorrttiioonn ooff ttoottaall iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall nniigghhttss iinn tthhee EEUU-2277

- SShhaarree ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm rreecceeiippttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy aass aa pprrooppoorrttiioonn ooff ttoottaall iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall rreecceeiippttss iinn tthhee EEUU-2277

- SShhaarree ooff nniigghhttss ssppeenntt bbyy EEUU-2255 rreessiiddeennttss aass aa pprrooppoorrttiioonn ooff ttoottaall iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall nniigghhttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy1

- PPrrooppoorrttiioonn ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm nniigghhttss ccoommppaarreedd wwiitthh ttoottaall ttoouurriissmm nniigghhttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy

- PPrrooppoorrttiioonn ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm rreecceeiippttss iinn GGDDPP

- RRaattiioo ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm rreecceeiippttss ttoo eexxppeennddiittuurree

1) For 2000, share of nights spent by EU-15 residents.

0.1%

0.2%

46.4%

45.2%

3.5%

1.56

0.2%

0.3%

69.7%

51.6%

3.5%

1.14

4

In 2006, the country recorded less that 0.5% for both total
international nights and total international tourism receipts
within  the  EU-27  (Table  4.2.14.1).  In  Lithuania,  domestic
tourism was more prevalent in comparison to Estonia and
Latvia.  Non-resident  tourists  spent  only  about  52%  of  the
country’s  total  tourism  nights  (about  45%  in  2000).
However,  tourists  coming  from  the  EU-25  area  spent
around  70%  of  these  nights.  This  indicates  the  strong
influence of intra-area tourism on the national market.

As  for  Latvia,  Germany  was  the  main  market  of  origin,
accounting  for  15.7%  of  total  tourism  nights  (17.1%  in
2002). Poland ranked second with 13.4% (14.3% in 2000),
followed  by  the  United  Kingdom  (5.8%),  Latvia  (5.4%),
Finland  (4.3%)  and  Italy  (3.8%).  Altogether,  the  six  main
markets covered 48.4% of total international tourism nights

(47.7% in 2000), with Latvia ranking in the top six for the
first time in 2006 (Table 4.2.14.2).

International tourism contributed less to the local economy
than  in  Estonia.  In  2006,  international  tourism  receipts
accounted for about 3.5% of total GDP, but was only 1.1
times higher than tourism expenditures (1.6 in 2000). This
means  that  expenditure  by  non-resident  tourists  in  the
country  was  well  above  expenditure  by  Lithuanian  tourists
abroad. 

The  following  spider  plot  summarises  the  overall  tourism
performance of Lithuania in 2000 and 2006, according to
the six indicators considered above.

Figure 4.2.14 - Situation of tourism in Lithuania in 2000 and 2006

Table  4.2.14.2  -  Main  tourism  markets  in
Lithuania - nights spent by non-residents (as %
of total nights), 2002 and 2006

MMaarrkkeettss

- 11sstt mmaarrkkeett

- 22nndd mmaarrkkeett

- 33rrdd mmaarrkkeett

- 44tthh mmaarrkkeett

- 55tthh mmaarrkkeett

- 66tthh mmaarrkkeett

220000221

22000066

CCoouunnttrryy

%%

CCoouunnttrryy

%%

DE

PL

US

FI

UK

SE

17.1

14.3

4.4

4.2

4.2

3.5

DE

PL

UK

LV

FI

IT

15.7

13.4

5.8

5.4

4.3

3.8

1) Data for 2000 not available.

58

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4.2.15 LLuxembourg

Like Belgium, Luxembourg is an important destination for business tourism and a generator of international tourism.

CCOOUUNNTTRRYY DDEESSCCRRIIPPTTIIOONN

Table 4.2.15.1 - Main tourism indicators: Luxembourg in 2000 and 2006

IInnddiiccaattoorrss

22000000

22000066

- SShhaarree ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall nniigghhttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy aass aa pprrooppoorrttiioonn ooff ttoottaall iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall nniigghhttss iinn tthhee EEUU-2277

- SShhaarree ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm rreecceeiippttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy aass aa pprrooppoorrttiioonn ooff ttoottaall iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall rreecceeiippttss iinn tthhee EEUU-22771

- SShhaarree ooff nniigghhttss ssppeenntt bbyy EEUU-2255 rreessiiddeennttss aass aa pprrooppoorrttiioonn ooff ttoottaall iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall nniigghhttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy

- PPrrooppoorrttiioonn ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm nniigghhttss ccoommppaarreedd wwiitthh ttoottaall ttoouurriissmm nniigghhttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy

- PPrrooppoorrttiioonn ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm rreecceeiippttss1 iinn GGDDPP

- RRaattiioo ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm rreecceeiippttss ttoo eexxppeennddiittuurree1

1) 2002 data used for 2000.

0.3%

1.2%

89.9%

91.6%

11.6%

1.24

0.3%

1.1%

90.3%

91.9%

8.5%

1.16

The prevalence of short-stay business tourism explains why
the  capacity  of  the  country  to  accommodate  international
tourists  is  lower  than  its  tourism  gains  within  the  EU-27
area.  In  2006,  Luxembourg  recorded  only  0.3%  of  total
international nights spent in the EU-27 and little more than
1%  of  international  tourism  receipts  (Table  4.2.15.1).  This
means  that  the  profit  margin  on  incoming  tourism  was
higher  than  the  volume  of  incoming  tourism.  In  2006,
almost  all  tourist  nights  in  the  country  were  recorded  for
foreign  tourists  (90.3%).  Residents  in  the  EU-25  area
generated about 92% of this amount. 

Looking at the six main markets of origin, the Netherlands
ranked  first,  accounting  for  38.4%  of  total  international
tourism nights (39.1% in 2000). Belgium was second with
19.5%  (22.6%  in  2000),  followed  by  Germany  (10.4%),
France (7.8%), the United Kingdom (5.1%) and the United

States  (2.3%).  Altogether,  tourists  from  these  countries
accounted  for  about  84%  of  total  international  nights  in
Luxembourg (about 86% in 2000, Table 4.2.15.2).

Business  tourism  made  an  important  contribution  to  the
local  economy.  The  proportion  of  international  tourism
receipts in the country’s GDP amounted to 8.5% in 2006
(against  11.6%  in  2002)  and  the  ratio  of  receipts  to
expenditure,  which  measures  the  tourism  balance,  was
116%  (124%  in  2000).  This  means  that  expenditure  by
foreign tourists in the country largely exceeded expenditure
by domestic tourists abroad.

The  following  spider  plot  summarises  the  overall  tourism
performance of Luxembourg in 2000 and 2006, according
to the six indicators considered above. 

4

Figure 4.2.15 - Situation of tourism in Luxembourg in 2000 and 2006

Table  4.2.15.2  -  Main  tourism  markets  in
Luxembourg - nights spent by non-residents (as
% of total nights), 2000 and 2006

MMaarrkkeettss

- 11sstt mmaarrkkeett

- 22nndd mmaarrkkeett

- 33rrdd mmaarrkkeett

- 44tthh mmaarrkkeett

- 55tthh mmaarrkkeett

- 66tthh mmaarrkkeett

22000000

22000066

CCoouunnttrryy

%%

CCoouunnttrryy

%%

NL

BE

DE

FR

UK

US

39.1

22.6

9.1

6.2

5.6

3.1

NL

BE

DE

FR

UK

US

38.4

19.5

10.4

7.8

5.1

2.3

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CCOOUUNNTTRRYY DDEESSCCRRIIPPTTIIOONN

4.2.16 HHungary

Hungary with its capital Budapest attracts both resident tourists and international tourists, mainly from central Europe.

Table 4.2.16.1 - Main tourism indicators: Hungary in 2000 and 2006

IInnddiiccaattoorrss

22000000

22000066

- SShhaarree ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall nniigghhttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy aass aa pprrooppoorrttiioonn ooff ttoottaall iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall nniigghhttss iinn tthhee EEUU-2277

- SShhaarree ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm rreecceeiippttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy aass aa pprrooppoorrttiioonn ooff ttoottaall iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall rreecceeiippttss iinn tthhee EEUU-2277

- SShhaarree ooff nniigghhttss ssppeenntt bbyy EEUU-2255 rreessiiddeennttss aass aa pprrooppoorrttiioonn ooff ttoottaall iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall nniigghhttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy1

- PPrrooppoorrttiioonn ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm nniigghhttss ccoommppaarreedd wwiitthh ttoottaall ttoouurriissmm nniigghhttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy

- PPrrooppoorrttiioonn ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm rreecceeiippttss iinn GGDDPP

- RRaattiioo ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm rreecceeiippttss ttoo eexxppeennddiittuurree

1) For 2000, share of nights spent by EU-15 residents.

1.3%

1.9%

70.3%

54.9%

7.8%

2.27

1.1%

1.4%

72.9%

51.1%

4.0%

1.72

4

In  2006,  the  country  accounted  for  1.1%  of  total
international nights spent in the EU-27 area (1.3% in 2000)
and 1.4% of international tourism receipts (1.9% in 2000,
Table  4.2.16.1).  This  means  that  the  profit  margin  on
incoming  tourism  was  a  little  higher  than  the  volume  of
incoming tourism. International tourists spent about 51% of
total nights (about 55% in 2000). Tourists coming from the
EU-25  area  spent  72.9%  of  these  nights.  This  shows  the
strong  influence  of  intra-area  tourism  on  the  national
market.

Looking at the six main markets of origin, Germany ranked
first  with  28.0%  (40.3%  in  2001),  followed  by  the  United
Kingdom (7.3%), Austria (7.1%), the United States (5.4%),
Italy  (5.2%)  and  Spain  (3.4%).  Altogether,  these  countries
accounted  for  about  56%  of  total  international  tourism

nights  in  Hungary  (around  64%  in  2001).  Compared  to
2001,  the  United  Kingdom  and  Spain  replaced  the
Netherlands and Poland (Table 4.2.16.2).

The  contribution  of  international  tourism  receipts  to  the
country’s GDP amounted to 4.0% in 2006 (7.8% in 2000),
while  receipts  exceeded  expenditure  by  1.7  times  (2.3  in
2000). This indicates that expenditure by foreign tourists in
the  country  were  well  above  expenditure  by  Hungarian
tourists abroad.

The  following  spider  plot  summarises  the  overall  tourism
performance of Hungary in 2000 and 2006, according to
the six indicators considered above. 

Figure 4.2.16 - Situation of tourism in Hungary in 2000 and 2006

Table  4.2.16.2  -  Main  tourism  markets  in
Hungary  -  nights  spent  by  non-residents  (as  %
of total nights), 2001 and 2006

MMaarrkkeettss

- 11sstt mmaarrkkeett

- 22nndd mmaarrkkeett

- 33rrdd mmaarrkkeett

- 44tthh mmaarrkkeett

- 55tthh mmaarrkkeett

- 66tthh mmaarrkkeett

220000111

22000066

CCoouunnttrryy

%%

CCoouunnttrryy

%%

DE

AT

NL

IT

US

PL

40.3

6.6

4.8

4.5

3.9

3.8

DE

UK

AT

US

IT

ES

28.0

7.3

7.1

5.4

5.2

3.4

1) Data for 2000 not available.

60

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4.2.17 MMalta

Like Cyprus, the island of Malta is mainly a destination of international tourism, in terms of the six indicators considered above. 

CCOOUUNNTTRRYY DDEESSCCRRIIPPTTIIOONN

Table 4.2.17.1 - Main tourism indicators: Malta in 2000 and 2006

IInnddiiccaattoorrss

22000000

22000066

- SShhaarree ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall nniigghhttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy aass aa pprrooppoorrttiioonn ooff ttoottaall iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall nniigghhttss iinn tthhee EEUU-2277

- SShhaarree ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm rreecceeiippttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy aass aa pprrooppoorrttiioonn ooff ttoottaall iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall rreecceeiippttss iinn tthhee EEUU-2277

- SShhaarree ooff nniigghhttss ssppeenntt bbyy EEUU-2255 rreessiiddeennttss aass aa pprrooppoorrttiioonn ooff ttoottaall iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall nniigghhttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy

- PPrrooppoorrttiioonn ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm nniigghhttss ccoommppaarreedd wwiitthh ttoottaall ttoouurriissmm nniigghhttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy

- PPrrooppoorrttiioonn ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm rreecceeiippttss iinn GGDDPP

- RRaattiioo ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm rreecceeiippttss ttoo eexxppeennddiittuurree

:

0.3%

:

:

15.7%

3.06

0.7%

0.2%

87.4%

95.7%

12.1%

2.40

In 2006, less than 1% of total international tourism nights
in  the  EU-27  area  were  spent  on  the  island  and  the
corresponding  receipts  amounted  to  only  0.2%  of  the 
EU-27  total  (Table  4.2.17.1).  Tourism  demand  is  almost
entirely  generated  by  non-resident  tourists  (about  96%  of
total nights in the country), in particular those coming from
the  EU-25  area  (more  than  87%  of  international  nights).
This  means  that  Malta  is  strongly  influenced  by  intra-area
tourism.

The  United  Kingdom,  as  the  main  market  of  origin,
accounted for about 42% of international tourism nights in
2006 (about 39% in 2000). Germany ranked second with
11.6%  (18.3%  in  2000),  followed  by  Italy  (7.4%  versus
5.4%), France (6.3%), the Netherlands (3.3%) and Belgium
(2.6%, Table 4.2.17.2).

Figure 4.2.17 - Situation of tourism in Malta in 2000 and 2006

As in the case of Cyprus, international tourism contributes
significantly to the local economy. In 2006, tourism receipts
accounted for about 12.1% of total GDP (15.7% in 2000)
and was 2.4 times higher than tourism expenditure (3.1 in
2000). This means that expenditure by foreign tourists in the
country  largely  exceeded  expenditure  by  domestic  tourists
abroad.  

The  following  spider  plot  summarises  the  overall  tourism
performance of Malta in 2000 and 2006, according to the
six indicators considered above.

4

Table 4.2.17.2 - Main tourism markets in Malta
-  nights  spent  by  non-residents  (as  %  of  total
nights), 2000 and 2006

MMaarrkkeettss

- 11sstt mmaarrkkeett

- 22nndd mmaarrkkeett

- 33rrdd mmaarrkkeett

- 44tthh mmaarrkkeett

- 55tthh mmaarrkkeett

- 66tthh mmaarrkkeett

22000000

22000066

CCoouunnttrryy

%%

CCoouunnttrryy

%%

UK

DE

FR

NL

IT

BE

38.7

18.3

6.3

5.6

5.5

2.4

UK

DE

IT

FR

NL

BE

42.4

11.6

7.4

6.3

3.3

2.6

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CCOOUUNNTTRRYY DDEESSCCRRIIPPTTIIOONN

4.2.18 TThe NNetherlands

Like Denmark, the Netherlands is a generator of tourism, both within the country and abroad. In addition, it has one of the
highest outbound tourism rates in Europe, which has grown constantly in recent years.

Table 4.2.18.1 - Main tourism indicators: The Netherlands in 2000 and 2006

IInnddiiccaattoorrss

22000000

22000066

- SShhaarree ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall nniigghhttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy aass aa pprrooppoorrttiioonn ooff ttoottaall iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall nniigghhttss iinn tthhee EEUU-2277

- SShhaarree ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm rreecceeiippttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy aass aa pprrooppoorrttiioonn ooff ttoottaall iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall rreecceeiippttss iinn tthhee EEUU-2277

- SShhaarree ooff nniigghhttss ssppeenntt bbyy EEUU-2255 rreessiiddeennttss aass aa pprrooppoorrttiioonn ooff ttoottaall iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall nniigghhttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy

- PPrrooppoorrttiioonn ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm nniigghhttss ccoommppaarreedd wwiitthh ttoottaall ttoouurriissmm nniigghhttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy

- PPrrooppoorrttiioonn ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm rreecceeiippttss iinn GGDDPP

- RRaattiioo ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm rreecceeiippttss ttoo eexxppeennddiittuurree

2.9%

3.6%

81.7%

31.9%

1.9%

0.59

2.8%

3.6%

80.1%

32.0%

1.7%

0.67

4

In  2006,  the  country  recorded  2.8%  of  total  international
tourism  nights  spent  in  the  EU-27  and  3.6%  of  total
international tourism receipts in the area (Table 4.2.18.1).
This means that the profit margin of incoming tourism was
higher than the volume of incoming tourism. As in the case
of Denmark, the market is dominated by domestic tourism.
International tourism nights accounted for only 32% of total
nights in the country. This share has remained stable since
2000. Tourists who are residents of EU-25 countries spent
about 80% of those nights (around 82% in 2000). 

Tourists from Germany were the primary market (39.5% of
total nights spent by non-residents), followed by the United
Kingdom  (13.9%),  Belgium  (9.5%),  the  United  States
(6.7%), France (4.6%) and Italy (3.2%). Altogether, tourists
coming from the six main markets accounted for about 77%

of total international nights spent in the Netherlands (about
82% in 2000, Table 4.2.18.2).

The  contribution  of  international  tourism  to  the  country’s
GDP  was  low  in  comparison  to  other  economic  sectors
(1.7%  in  2006  against  1.9%  in  2000).  The  ratio  of
international  tourism  receipts  to  expenditure,  which
measures  the  tourism  balance,  was  0.7  in  2006  (0.6  in
2000).  This  means  that  expenditure  by  Dutch  tourists
abroad was higher than expenditure by non-resident tourists
in the country.

The  following  spider  plot  summarises  the  overall  tourism
performance  of  the  Netherlands  in  2000  and  2006,
according to the six indicators considered above. 

Figure 4.2.18 - Situation of tourism in the Netherlands
in 2000 and 2006

Table  4.2.18.2  -  Main  tourism  markets  in  the
Netherlands - nights spent by non-residents (as
% of total nights), 2000 and 2006

MMaarrkkeettss

- 11sstt mmaarrkkeett

- 22nndd mmaarrkkeett

- 33rrdd mmaarrkkeett

- 44tthh mmaarrkkeett

- 55tthh mmaarrkkeett

- 66tthh mmaarrkkeett

22000000

22000066

CCoouunnttrryy

%%

CCoouunnttrryy

%%

DE

UK

US

BE

FR

IT

45.1

15.3

7.6

7.3

4.0

3.1

DE

UK

BE

US

FR

IT

39.5

13.9

9.5

6.7

4.6

3.2

62

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CCOOUUNNTTRRYY DDEESSCCRRIIPPTTIIOONN

4.2.19 AAustria

Austria is one of the most important tourism destinations in Europe, especially for cultural and mountain tourism. However, it
has also increasingly been a generator of tourism abroad in recent years.

Table 4.2.19.1 - Main tourism indicators: Austria in 2000 and 2006

IInnddiiccaattoorrss

22000000

22000066

- SShhaarree ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall nniigghhttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy aass aa pprrooppoorrttiioonn ooff ttoottaall iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall nniigghhttss iinn tthhee EEUU-2277

- SShhaarree ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm rreecceeiippttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy aass aa pprrooppoorrttiioonn ooff ttoottaall iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall rreecceeiippttss iinn tthhee EEUU-2277

- SShhaarree ooff nniigghhttss ssppeenntt bbyy EEUU-2255 rreessiiddeennttss aass aa pprrooppoorrttiioonn ooff ttoottaall iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall nniigghhttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy

- PPrrooppoorrttiioonn ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm nniigghhttss ccoommppaarreedd wwiitthh ttoottaall ttoouurriissmm nniigghhttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy

- PPrrooppoorrttiioonn ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm rreecceeiippttss iinn GGDDPP

- RRaattiioo ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm rreecceeiippttss ttoo eexxppeennddiittuurree

7.2%

5.0%

87.6%

71.1%

5.1%

1.17

7.3%

5.2%

86.1%

71.4%

5.1%

1.79

In  2006,  about  7%  of  total  international  tourism  nights  in
the EU-27 were spent in Austria, which collected only 5.2%
of the corresponding receipts  (Table 4.2.19.1). This means
that the profit margin on incoming tourism was lower than
the  volume  of  incoming  tourism.  Non-resident  tourists
accounted for more than 71% of total nights. Tourists from
the  EU-25  area  spent  about  86%  of  total  international
nights. This shows the strong influence of intra-area tourism
on the national market.

Among the six main markets of origin, Germany ranked first
with  more  than  a  half  of  total  international  tourism  nights
(60.1%  in  2000).  The  other  five  countries  accounted  for
26.0%  of  total  nights  (23.3%  in  2000).  In  2006,  the
Netherlands  held  second  position  (9.4%),  followed  by  the

United  Kingdom  (5.0%),  Switzerland  (4.6%),  Italy  (4.1%)
and Belgium (2.9%). 

International  tourism  contributed  substantially  to  the
country’s economy. The proportion of international tourism
receipts in total GDP was 5.1% in 2006 and receipts were
1.8  times  expenditure  (1.2  in  2000),  meaning  that  gains
from  incoming  tourism  were  higher  than  expenditure  by
outbound tourists.

The  following  spider  plot  summarises  the  overall  tourism
performance of Austria in 2000 and 2006, according to the
six indicators discussed above. 

4

Figure 4.2.19 - Situation of tourism in Austria in 2000 and 2006

Table  4.2.19.2  -  Main  tourism  markets  in
Austria - nights spent by non-residents (as % of
total nights), 2000 and 2006

MMaarrkkeettss

- 11sstt mmaarrkkeett

- 22nndd mmaarrkkeett

- 33rrdd mmaarrkkeett

- 44tthh mmaarrkkeett

- 55tthh mmaarrkkeett

- 66tthh mmaarrkkeett

22000000

22000066

CCoouunnttrryy

%%

CCoouunnttrryy

%%

DE

NL

UK

CH

IT

US

60.1

8.4

4.5

4.0

3.6

2.8

DE

NL

UK

CH

IT

BE

52.9

9.4

5.0

4.6

4.1

2.9

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CCOOUUNNTTRRYY DDEESSCCRRIIPPTTIIOONN

4.2.20 PPoland

Like other eastern European countries, Poland is an emerging tourism market in Europe. Although tourism flows in the country
were generated mostly by domestic tourism, the incidence of international tourism has been growing in recent years.

Table 4.2.20.1 - Main tourism indicators: Poland in 2000 and 2006

IInnddiiccaattoorrss

22000000

22000066

- SShhaarree ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall nniigghhttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy aass aa pprrooppoorrttiioonn ooff ttoottaall iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall nniigghhttss iinn tthhee EEUU-2277

- SShhaarree ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm rreecceeiippttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy aass aa pprrooppoorrttiioonn ooff ttoottaall iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall rreecceeiippttss iinn tthhee EEUU-2277

- SShhaarree ooff nniigghhttss ssppeenntt bbyy EEUU-2255 rreessiiddeennttss aass aa pprrooppoorrttiioonn ooff ttoottaall iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall nniigghhttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy1

- PPrrooppoorrttiioonn ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm nniigghhttss ccoommppaarreedd wwiitthh ttoottaall ttoouurriissmm nniigghhttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy

- PPrrooppoorrttiioonn ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm rreecceeiippttss iinn GGDDPP

- RRaattiioo ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm rreecceeiippttss ttoo eexxppeennddiittuurree

1) For 2000, 2001 data is used.

0.8%

2.9%

66.1%

14.1%

3.3%

1.72

1.1%

2.3%

76.0%

20.6%

2.1%

1.26

4

In 2006, Poland accounted for 1.1% of total international
tourism nights spent in the EU-27 and 2.3% of international
tourism receipts in the same area. This means that the profit
margin on incoming tourism was higher than the volume of
incoming tourism (Table 4.2.20.1). Domestic tourists spent
the  largest  share  of  tourism  nights  in  all  accommodation
establishments.  In  2006,  nights  spent  by  non-residents
amounted to only about 21% of total nights (about 14% in
2000). Tourists from EU-25 countries accounted for about
three quarters of these nights. The increase in this share in
comparison  to  2001  (66.1%)  indicates  the  growing
influence of intra-area tourism on the national market.

Similar  to  other  eastern  European  destinations,  Germany
was the primary market of origin, accounting for more than
two-fifths  of  total  international  tourism  nights  spent  in  the
country  (44.2%  in  2003).  The  United  Kingdom  ranked

second with 7.2% (4.5% in 2003), followed by the United
States  (4.4%),  Italy  (4.3%),  France  (3.8%)  and  Sweden
(2.4%, Table 4.2.20.2).

The  contribution  of  international  tourism  to  the  country’s
GDP  is  low  in  comparison  to  other  countries  in  the  same
area  (2.1%  in  2006  versus  3.3%  in  2000).  However,  the
tourism  balance  is  positive.  The  ratio  of  international
tourism  receipts  to  expenditure  amounted  to  1.3  in  2006
(1.7 in 2000), meaning that expenditure by foreign tourists
in the country was much higher than expenditure by Polish
tourists abroad. 

The  following  spider  plot  summarises  the  overall  tourism
performance of Poland in 2000 and 2006, according to the
six indicators considered above. 

Figure 4.2.20 - Situation of tourism in Poland in 2000 and 2006

Table 4.2.20.2 - Main tourism markets in Poland
-  nights  spent  by  non-residents  (as  %  of  total
nights), 2003 and 2006

MMaarrkkeettss

- 11sstt mmaarrkkeett

- 22nndd mmaarrkkeett

- 33rrdd mmaarrkkeett

- 44tthh mmaarrkkeett

- 55tthh mmaarrkkeett

- 66tthh mmaarrkkeett

220000331

22000066

CCoouunnttrryy

%%

CCoouunnttrryy

%%

DE

US

UK

IT

FR

DK

44.2

4.5

4.5

4.0

3.9

2.7

DE

UK

US

IT

FR

SE

41.7

7.2

4.4

4.3

3.8

2.4

1) Data for 2000 not available.

64

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4.2.21 PPortugal

Like Greece, Portugal is mainly an international tourism destination. This trend has strengthened in recent years.

CCOOUUNNTTRRYY DDEESSCCRRIIPPTTIIOONN

Table 4.2.21.1 - Main tourism indicators: Portugal in 2000 and 2006

IInnddiiccaattoorrss

22000000

22000066

- SShhaarree ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall nniigghhttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy aass aa pprrooppoorrttiioonn ooff ttoottaall iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall nniigghhttss iinn tthhee EEUU-2277

- SShhaarree ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm rreecceeiippttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy aass aa pprrooppoorrttiioonn ooff ttoottaall iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall rreecceeiippttss iinn tthhee EEUU-2277

- SShhaarree ooff nniigghhttss ssppeenntt bbyy EEUU-2255 rreessiiddeennttss aass aa pprrooppoorrttiioonn ooff ttoottaall iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall nniigghhttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy

- PPrrooppoorrttiioonn ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm nniigghhttss ccoommppaarreedd wwiitthh ttoottaall ttoouurriissmm nniigghhttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy

- PPrrooppoorrttiioonn ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm rreecceeiippttss iinn GGDDPP

- RRaattiioo ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm rreecceeiippttss ttoo eexxppeennddiittuurree

2.9%

2.6%

86.7%

61.5%

4.7%

2.36

2.8%

2.6%

87.8%

59.0%

4.3%

2.53

In  2006,  Portugal  accounted  for  almost  3%  of  total
international tourism nights spent in the EU-27. The share
of tourism receipts was 2.6% (Table 4.2.21.1). This means
that the profit margin on incoming tourism was a little lower
than the volume of incoming tourism. International tourists
spent  59.0%  of  total  nights.  Around  88%  of  these  nights
were  recorded  by  tourists  from  EU-25  countries.  This
indicates  that  Portugal’s  tourism  market  is  strongly
influenced by intra-area tourism.

As for Spain, the United Kingdom ranked first among the six
main  markets  of  origin  with  27.9%  (28.4%  in  2000),
followed by Germany with 15.2% (20.7% in 2000), Spain
(13.1%),  the  Netherlands  (7.5%),  France  (5.8%)  and  Italy
(3.8%). Altogether, the first six markets accounted for about
73% of total international nights in 2006 (Table 4.2.21.2).

The  contribution  of  international  tourism  receipts  to  the
country’s  GDP  was  relatively  high  (4.3%  versus  4.7%  in
2000) and similar to that of Spain, but Portugal’s ratio of
tourism receipts to expenditure did not reach the same level
(2.5  versus  2.4  in  2000).  This  means  that  expenditure  by
foreign  tourists  in  the  country  was  much  higher  than
expenditure by Portuguese tourists abroad.

The  following  spider  plot  summarises  the  overall  tourism
performance of Portugal in 2000 and 2006, according to
the six indicators considered above. 

4

Figure 4.2.21 - Situation of tourism in Portugal in 2000 and 2006

Table  4.2.21.2  -  Main  tourism  markets  in
Portugal  -  nights  spent  by  non-residents  (as  %
of total nights), 2000 and 2006

MMaarrkkeettss

- 11sstt mmaarrkkeett

- 22nndd mmaarrkkeett

- 33rrdd mmaarrkkeett

- 44tthh mmaarrkkeett

- 55tthh mmaarrkkeett

- 66tthh mmaarrkkeett

22000000

22000066

CCoouunnttrryy

%%

CCoouunnttrryy

%%

UK

DE

NL

ES

FR

IT

28.4

20.7

8.1

8.0

5.2

3.3

UK

DE

ES

NL

FR

IT

27.9

15.2

13.1

7.5

5.8

3.8

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CCOOUUNNTTRRYY DDEESSCCRRIIPPTTIIOONN

4.2.22 RRomania

Tourism in Romania is not yet well developed and depends heavily on domestic demand. International tourism flows in the
country are still low and mainly for business purposes.

Table 4.2.22.1 - Main tourism indicators: Romania in 2000 and 2006

IInnddiiccaattoorrss

22000000

22000066

- SShhaarree ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall nniigghhttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy aass aa pprrooppoorrttiioonn ooff ttoottaall iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall nniigghhttss iinn tthhee EEUU-2277

- SShhaarree ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm rreecceeiippttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy aass aa pprrooppoorrttiioonn ooff ttoottaall iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall rreecceeiippttss iinn tthhee EEUU-2277

- SShhaarree ooff nniigghhttss ssppeenntt bbyy EEUU-2255 rreessiiddeennttss aass aa pprrooppoorrttiioonn ooff ttoottaall iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall nniigghhttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy1

- PPrrooppoorrttiioonn ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm nniigghhttss ccoommppaarreedd wwiitthh ttoottaall ttoouurriissmm nniigghhttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy

- PPrrooppoorrttiioonn ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm rreecceeiippttss iinn GGDDPP

- RRaattiioo ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm rreecceeiippttss ttoo eexxppeennddiittuurree

1) For 2000, share of nights spent by EU-15 residents.

0.2%

0.2%

56.0%

12.2%

1.0%

0.84

0.3%

0.4%

67.8%

17.1%

1.1%

1.00

4

In  2006,  the  country  accounted  for  about  0.3%  of  total
international nights and 0.4% of total international tourism
receipts  within  the  EU-27  (Table  4.2.22.1).  The  weight  of
international tourism is equally low. In 2006, international
tourists only spent 17.1% of total nights (12.2% in 2000).
Tourists coming from EU-25 countries generated 67.8% of
these nights, showing an increase since 2000 (56.0%). 

Germany  was  the  main  market  of  origin,  accounting  for
15.6% of international tourism nights in 2006. Italy ranked
second with 12.5%, followed by France (7.8%), the United
States  (5.8%),  Hungary  (5.5%)  and  the  United  Kingdom
(5.0%).  Altogether,  the  six  main  countries  accounted  for
about 52% of total international nights (Table 4.2.22.2). 

Tourism’s contribution to the local economy is very low. In
2006, the proportion of international tourism receipts in the
country’s  GDP  was  1.1%.  This  was  the  same  as  tourism
expenditure (0.8 in 2000). This indicates that, in spite of the
very  low  share  of  international  tourists  in  terms  of  nights,
tourist  expenditure  balanced  the  spending  of  Romanian
tourists  abroad,  i.e.  foreign  tourists  show  a  relatively  high
“expenditure capacity”, which is typical of business tourism.

The  following  spider  plot  summarises  the  evolution  of  the
global  tourism  performance  of  Romania  in  2000  and
2006, according to the six indicators considered above.

Figure 4.2.22 - Situation of tourism in Romania in 2000 and 2006

Table  4.2.22.2  -  Main  tourism  markets  in
Romania-  nights  spent  by  non-residents  (as  %
of total nights), 2000 and 2006

MMaarrkkeettss

- 11sstt mmaarrkkeett

- 22nndd mmaarrkkeett

- 33rrdd mmaarrkkeett

- 44tthh mmaarrkkeett

- 55tthh mmaarrkkeett

- 66tthh mmaarrkkeett

22000000

22000066

CCoouunnttrryy

%%

CCoouunnttrryy

%%

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

DE

IT

FR

US

HU

UK

15.6

12.5

7.8

5.8

5.5

5.0

Note: 2006 is the first year for which data are available.

66

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CCOOUUNNTTRRYY DDEESSCCRRIIPPTTIIOONN

4.2.23 SSlovenia

Slovenia is one of the most important tourism destinations in eastern Europe and its role has strengthened in recent years.
Adoption of the euro at the beginning of 2008 has made the costs of local tourism products and services easy to compare
with costs in other European destinations, but this will probably have its effects on internal prices, too.

Table 4.2.23.1 - Main tourism indicators: Slovenia in 2000 and 2006

IInnddiiccaattoorrss

22000000

22000066

- SShhaarree ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall nniigghhttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy aass aa pprrooppoorrttiioonn ooff ttoottaall iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall nniigghhttss iinn tthhee EEUU-2277

- SShhaarree ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm rreecceeiippttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy aass aa pprrooppoorrttiioonn ooff ttoottaall iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall rreecceeiippttss iinn tthhee EEUU-2277

- SShhaarree ooff nniigghhttss ssppeenntt bbyy EEUU-2255 rreessiiddeennttss aass aa pprrooppoorrttiioonn ooff ttoottaall iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall nniigghhttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy1

- PPrrooppoorrttiioonn ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm nniigghhttss ccoommppaarreedd wwiitthh ttoottaall ttoouurriissmm nniigghhttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy

- PPrrooppoorrttiioonn ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm rreecceeiippttss iinn GGDDPP

- RRaattiioo ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm rreecceeiippttss ttoo eexxppeennddiittuurree

1) For 2000, share of nights spent by EU-15 residents.

0.4%

0.5%

71.7%

50.3%

4.9%

1.88

0.5%

0.6%

75.5%

58.2%

4.9%

1.77

As  for  other  eastern  European  countries,  the  weight  of
Slovenia  within  the  EU-27  area  is  still  low.  In  2006,  the
country  recorded  less  than  1%  for  both  total  international
tourism  nights  and  tourism  receipts  (Table  4.2.23.1).
International tourism generated about 58% of total tourism
nights (about 50% in 2000), of which tourists coming from
EU-25 countries spent about three quarters. This shows the
growing  influence  of  intra-area  tourism  on  the  national
market.

Italy  was  the  most  important  market  of  origin  in  2006,
accounting  for  20.0%  of  total  international  tourism  nights
(18.1%  in  2001).  Italy  was  followed  by  Austria  (15.0%),
both  passing  Germany  (13.6%)  compared  with  2001.
Among  the  six  main  markets,  the  United  Kingdom  held
fourth position (7.2%), followed by the Netherlands (4.0%)
and Hungary (2.4%, Table 4.2.23.2).

International  tourism  contributed  substantially  to  the
country’s economy. In 2006, international tourism receipts
amounted  to  about  5%  of  GDP  and  the  tourism  balance
was  positive.  Receipts  were  nearly  twice  as  high  as
expenditure, meaning that gains from inbound tourism were
much higher than expenditure on outbound tourism. 

The  following  spider  plot  summarises  the  evolution  of  the
global tourism performance of Slovenia in 2000 and 2006,
according to the six indicators considered above. 

4

Figure 4.2.23 - Situation of tourism in Slovenia in 2000 and 2006

Table  4.2.23.2  -  Main  tourism  markets  in
Slovenia  -  nights  spent  by  non-residents  (as  %
of total nights), 2001 and 2006

MMaarrkkeettss

- 11sstt mmaarrkkeett

- 22nndd mmaarrkkeett

- 33rrdd mmaarrkkeett

- 44tthh mmaarrkkeett

- 55tthh mmaarrkkeett

- 66tthh mmaarrkkeett

220000111

22000066

CCoouunnttrryy

%%

CCoouunnttrryy

%%

DE

IT

AT

UK

NL

HU

22.7

18.1

16.5

5.0

3.7

2.3

IT

AT

DE

UK

NL

HU

20.0

15.0

13.6

7.2

4.0

2.5

1) Data for 2000 not available.

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CCOOUUNNTTRRYY DDEESSCCRRIIPPTTIIOONN

4.2.24 SSlovakia

Like other eastern European countries, Slovakia is an emerging origin/destination on the European tourism market.

Table 4.2.24.1 - Main tourism indicators: Slovakia in 2000 and 2006

IInnddiiccaattoorrss

22000000

22000066

- SShhaarree ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall nniigghhttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy aass aa pprrooppoorrttiioonn ooff ttoottaall iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall nniigghhttss iinn tthhee EEUU-2277

- SShhaarree ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm rreecceeiippttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy aass aa pprrooppoorrttiioonn ooff ttoottaall iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall rreecceeiippttss iinn tthhee EEUU-2277

- SShhaarree ooff nniigghhttss ssppeenntt bbyy EEUU-2255 rreessiiddeennttss aass aa pprrooppoorrttiioonn ooff ttoottaall iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall nniigghhttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy1

- PPrrooppoorrttiioonn ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm nniigghhttss ccoommppaarreedd wwiitthh ttoottaall ttoouurriissmm nniigghhttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy

- PPrrooppoorrttiioonn ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm rreecceeiippttss iinn GGDDPP

- RRaattiioo ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm rreecceeiippttss ttoo eexxppeennddiittuurree

1) For 2000, share of nights spent by EU-15 residents.

0.4%

0.2%

34.6%

35.4%

2.3%

1.40

0.5%

0.5%

83.8%

45.9%

2.8%

1.44

4

Like Slovenia, Slovakia’s impact within the EU-27 area was
still  low  in  2006.  The  country  recorded  less  than  1%  for
both total international tourism nights and tourism receipts
(Table  4.2.24.1).  International  tourism  generated  about
46%  of  total  tourism  nights.  Tourists  who  are  residents  of
EU-25  countries,  in  particular  those  from  neighbouring
countries,  spent  about  84%  of  these  nights.  This  indicates
the  strong  influence  of  intra-area  tourism  on  the  national
market.

However, unlike other eastern European countries, the bulk
of  international  tourism  nights  was  spent  by  tourists  from
eastern  Europe  and  particularly  from  neighbouring
countries. Among the six main markets of origin, the Czech
Republic, Poland and Hungary accounted for about half of
total international tourism nights in 2006 (53.3% in 2003).

Other  important  markets  were  Germany  (17.6%),  Austria
(3.4%) and the United Kingdom (2.8%, Table 4.2.24.2).

The  contribution  of  international  tourism  receipts  to  the
country’s GDP is low (2.8% in 2006 versus 2.3% in 2000)
in comparison to other countries in the same area. This is
probably  due  to  the  prevalence  of  proximity  tourism.
International tourism receipts were about 1.4 times higher
than  expenditure,  indicating  that  expenditure  by  non-
resident  tourists  was  much  higher  than  expenditure  by
Slovakian tourists abroad. 

The  following  spider  plot  summarises  the  evolution  of  the
global tourism performance of Slovakia in 2000 and 2006,
according to the six indicators considered above.

Figure 4.2.24 - Situation of tourism in Slovakia in 2000 and 2006

Table  4.2.24.2  -  Main  tourism  markets  in
Slovakia  -  nights  spent  by  non-residents  (as  %
of total nights), 2003 and 2006

MMaarrkkeettss

- 11sstt mmaarrkkeett

- 22nndd mmaarrkkeett

- 33rrdd mmaarrkkeett

- 44tthh mmaarrkkeett

- 55tthh mmaarrkkeett

- 66tthh mmaarrkkeett

220000331

22000066

CCoouunnttrryy

%%

CCoouunnttrryy

%%

CZ

DE

PL

HU

AT

NL

33.6

21.1

13.8

5.9

3.6

1.6

CZ

DE

PL

HU

AT

UK

29.3

17.6

13.7

6.4

3.4

2.8

1) Data for 2000 not available.

68

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4.2.25 FFinland

Finland is mainly a generator of tourism, both at home and abroad.

CCOOUUNNTTRRYY DDEESSCCRRIIPPTTIIOONN

Table 4.2.25.1 - Main tourism indicators: Finland in 2000 and 2006

IInnddiiccaattoorrss

22000000

22000066

- SShhaarree ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall nniigghhttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy aass aa pprrooppoorrttiioonn ooff ttoottaall iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall nniigghhttss iinn tthhee EEUU-2277

- SShhaarree ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm rreecceeiippttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy aass aa pprrooppoorrttiioonn ooff ttoottaall iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall rreecceeiippttss iinn tthhee EEUU-2277

- SShhaarree ooff nniigghhttss ssppeenntt bbyy EEUU-2255 rreessiiddeennttss aass aa pprrooppoorrttiioonn ooff ttoottaall iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall nniigghhttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy

- PPrrooppoorrttiioonn ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm nniigghhttss ccoommppaarreedd wwiitthh ttoottaall ttoouurriissmm nniigghhttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy

- PPrrooppoorrttiioonn ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm rreecceeiippttss iinn GGDDPP

- RRaattiioo ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm rreecceeiippttss ttoo eexxppeennddiittuurree

0.5%

0.7%

57.0%

25.3%

1.2%

0.76

0.5%

0.7%

60.2%

27.5%

1.1%

0.69

In 2006, about 0.5% of total international tourism nights in
the EU-27 were spent in Finland; the country also recorded
less than 1% of total international tourism receipts from the
same area (Table 4.2.25.1). Tourism was mostly generated
by  domestic  tourists.  Around  28%  of  total  tourism  nights
were spent by non-resident tourists (around 25% in 2000),
some 60% of which were from the EU-25 area (57.0% in
2000).

Among the six main markets of origin, Sweden ranked first,
accounting  for  11.7%  of  total  tourism  nights,  closely
followed  by  Germany  (10.7%)  and  the  United  Kingdom
(9.6%). France occupied fourth place (4.6%), ahead of the
United States and Norway (4.1% each). Altogether, the six
main  markets  of  origin  accounted  for  44.8%  of  total
international tourism nights in the country (50.9% in 2000,
Table 4.2.25.2).

Along  with  Germany,  the  United  Kingdom  and  Denmark,
the  contribution  of  international  tourism  to  the  country’s
GDP in comparison to other economic sectors is one of the
lowest  in  the  EU-27  (1.1%).  International  tourism  receipts
made up 69% of expenditure (76% in 2000), meaning that
gains  from  incoming  tourism  were  lower  than  the
expenditure on outbound tourism.

The  following  spider  plot  summarises  the  evolution  of  the
global tourism performance of Finland in 2000 and 2006,
according to the six indicators considered above. 

4

Figure 4.2.25 - Situation of tourism in Finland in 2000 and 2006

Table  4.2.25.2  -  Main  tourism  markets  in
Finland - nights spent by non-residents (as % of
total nights), 2000 and 2006

MMaarrkkeettss

- 11sstt mmaarrkkeett

- 22nndd mmaarrkkeett

- 33rrdd mmaarrkkeett

- 44tthh mmaarrkkeett

- 55tthh mmaarrkkeett

- 66tthh mmaarrkkeett

22000000

22000066

CCoouunnttrryy

%%

CCoouunnttrryy

%%

SE

DE

UK

US

NO

NL

15.8

11.8

9.0

5.6

5.0

3.7

SE

DE

UK

FR

US

NO

11.7

10.7

9.6

4.6

4.1

4.1

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CCOOUUNNTTRRYY DDEESSCCRRIIPPTTIIOONN

4.2.26 SSweden

Like Finland, Sweden is basically more of a generator of tourism, both at home and abroad, than an international tourism
destination.

Table 4.2.26.1 - Main tourism indicators: Sweden in 2000 and 2006

IInnddiiccaattoorrss

22000000

22000066

- SShhaarree ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall nniigghhttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy aass aa pprrooppoorrttiioonn ooff ttoottaall iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall nniigghhttss iinn tthhee EEUU-2277

- SShhaarree ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm rreecceeiippttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy aass aa pprrooppoorrttiioonn ooff ttoottaall iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall rreecceeiippttss iinn tthhee EEUU-2277

- SShhaarree ooff nniigghhttss ssppeenntt bbyy EEUU-2255 rreessiiddeennttss aass aa pprrooppoorrttiioonn ooff ttoottaall iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall nniigghhttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy

- PPrrooppoorrttiioonn ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm nniigghhttss ccoommppaarreedd wwiitthh ttoottaall ttoouurriissmm nniigghhttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy

- PPrrooppoorrttiioonn ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm rreecceeiippttss iinn GGDDPP

- RRaattiioo ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm rreecceeiippttss ttoo eexxppeennddiittuurree

1.0%

2.0%

56.1%

21.7%

1.7%

0.51

1.1%

2.9%

55.3%

22.9%

2.4%

0.79

4

In  2006,  the  country  accounted  for  about  1%  of  total
international tourism nights spent in the EU-27 and almost
3%  of  international  tourism  receipts  (Table  4.2.26.1).  This
means  that  the  profit  margin  on  incoming  tourism  was
much  higher  than  the  volume  of  incoming  tourism.
However,  international  tourism  has  a  low  market  share  in
comparison to domestic tourism. Non-resident tourists only
spent about 23% of total nights. About 55% of these nights
were  recorded  tourists  coming  from  EU-25  countries.  This
indicates the relatively low influence of intra-area tourism in
comparison to other EU-25 Member States. 

As  far  as  the  six  main  markets  of  origin  are  concerned,
Sweden’s neighbouring countries accounted for the largest
number  of  nights  spent  by  foreign  tourists.  Norway,
Denmark and Finland together made up about 38% of total
international nights (about 37% in 2000). Regarding other

countries,  Germany  with  19.4%  (20.8%  in  2000)  ranked
second  after  Norway,  far  ahead  of  Denmark  (9.5%),  the
Netherlands  (6.5%),  the  United  Kingdom  (5.9%)  and
Finland (3.9%, Table 4.2.26.2). 

The  contribution  of  international  tourism  to  the  country’s
GDP, in comparison to other economic sectors, is, at 2.6%
in  2006  (1.7%  in  2000),  higher  than  in  Finland.
International 
represented  79%  of
receipts 
expenditure  (51%  in  2000),  meaning  that  expenditure  by
Swedish  tourists  abroad  was  higher  than  expenditure  by
non-resident tourists in the country.

tourism 

The  following  spider  plot  summarises  the  evolution  of  the
global tourism performance of Sweden in 2000 and 2006,
according to the six indicators considered above.

Figure 4.2.26 - Situation of tourism in Sweden in 2000 and 2006

Table  4.2.26.2  -  Main  tourism  markets  in
Sweden - nights spent by non-residents (as % of
total nights), 2000 and 2006

MMaarrkkeettss

- 11sstt mmaarrkkeett

- 22nndd mmaarrkkeett

- 33rrdd mmaarrkkeett

- 44tthh mmaarrkkeett

- 55tthh mmaarrkkeett

- 66tthh mmaarrkkeett

22000000

22000066

CCoouunnttrryy

%%

CCoouunnttrryy

%%

NO

21.6

NO

DE

DK

UK

NL

FI

20.8

9.6

6.4

5.5

5.4

DE

DK

NL

UK

FI

24.8

19.4

9.5

6.5

5.9

3.9

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CCOOUUNNTTRRYY DDEESSCCRRIIPPTTIIOONN

4.2.27 TThe UUnited KKingdom

The United Kingdom is one of the most important countries of origin for tourism, both at home and abroad, and also one of
the main destinations in Europe for specific market segments (urban/cultural tourism, business tourism, language tours, etc.).

Table 4.2.27.1 - Main tourism indicators: The United Kingdom in 2000 and 2006

IInnddiiccaattoorrss

22000000

22000066

- SShhaarree ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall nniigghhttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy aass aa pprrooppoorrttiioonn ooff ttoottaall iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall nniigghhttss iinn tthhee EEUU-2277

- SShhaarree ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm rreecceeiippttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy aass aa pprrooppoorrttiioonn ooff ttoottaall iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall rreecceeiippttss iinn tthhee EEUU-2277

- SShhaarree ooff nniigghhttss ssppeenntt bbyy EEUU-2255 rreessiiddeennttss aass aa pprrooppoorrttiioonn ooff ttoottaall iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall nniigghhttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy

- PPrrooppoorrttiioonn ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm nniigghhttss ccoommppaarreedd wwiitthh ttoottaall ttoouurriissmm nniigghhttss iinn tthhee ccoouunnttrryy

- PPrrooppoorrttiioonn ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm rreecceeiippttss iinn GGDDPP

- RRaattiioo ooff iinntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm rreecceeiippttss ttoo eexxppeennddiittuurree

8.3%

10.9%

40.4%

26.2%

1.5%

0.57

9.5%

10.6%

52.2%

34.1%

1.4%

0.53

In  2006,  9.5%  of  total  international  tourism  nights  in  the
EU-27 were spent in the country (8.3% in 2000), while the
share of tourism receipts was 10.6% (10.9% in 2000, Table
4.2.27.1). This indicates that the profit margin on incoming
tourism  was  a  little  higher  than  the  volume  of  incoming
tourism.  Non-resident  tourists  spent  more  than  a  third  of
total  nights.  Tourists  from  the  EU-25  accounted  for  about
52% of total international nights (about 40% in 2000). This
highlights the rather low influence of intra-area tourism on
the  national  market,  in  comparison  to  other  EU-25
countries,  and  the  relatively  high  incidence  of  tourists
coming from countries outside the EU-25 area.

Among  the  six  main  markets  of  origin,  the  United  States
ranked  first,  recording  17.7%  of  total  tourism  nights,
followed by Germany (11.2%), in 2006. France held third
position with 7.3%, closely followed by Spain (6.8%), Italy

Figure 4.2.27 - Situation of tourism in the United Kingdom
in 2000 and 2006

(4.8%) and the Netherlands (4.3%). Altogether, the six main
markets  of  origin  accounted  for  more  than  half  of  total
international  nights  in  the  country  (47.5%  in  2000,  Table
4.2.27.2).

the
Along  with  Germany,  Denmark  and  Finland, 
contribution of international tourism to the country’s GDP in
comparison to other economic sectors is, at 1.4% in 2006,
one of the lowest amongst EU-25 countries (1.5% in 2000).
International  tourism  receipts  accounted  for  53%  of
expenditure  (57%  in  2000),  meaning  that  expenditure  by
residents abroad was much higher than expenditure by non-
residents in the country.

The  following  spider  plot  summarises  the  evolution  of  the
global tourism performance of the United Kingdom in 2000
and  2006,  according  to  the  six  indicators  considered
above.

4

Table  4.2.27.2  -  Main  tourism  markets  in  the
United Kingdom - nights spent by non-residents
(as % of total nights), 2000 and 2006

MMaarrkkeettss

- 11sstt mmaarrkkeett

- 22nndd mmaarrkkeett

- 33rrdd mmaarrkkeett

- 44tthh mmaarrkkeett

- 55tthh mmaarrkkeett

- 66tthh mmaarrkkeett

22000000

22000066

CCoouunnttrryy

%%

CCoouunnttrryy

%%

US

DE

FR

IT

NL

IE

21.8

8.4

6.0

4.0

3.7

3.6

US

DE

FR

ES

IT

NL

17.7

11.2

7.3

6.8

4.8

4.3

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CHAPTER 5 - TECHNICAL NOTES

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TTEECCHHNNIICCAALL NNOOTTEESS

5. 

5.1

TECHNICAL NOTES

General iinformation  

Information on definitions, classifications and concepts concerning tourism are available from:

http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/ramon (see “Concepts and Definitions” (CODED))

All estimates in the tables are made by Eurostat unless indicated otherwise.

The country totals in Tables 3.7 to 3.9 do not match the totals for the variable "4 nights and more" in Tables 3.1 and 3.2 due
to methodological problems with data collection.

5.2

Terms aand ddefinitions 

General tterms aand ddefinitions

AAvveerraaggee aannnnuuaall ggrroowwtthh rraattee:: The year-on-year growth rate of a phenomenon over a specified period. It is fictitious in that it
assumes the phenomenon grew at the same rate over the entire period.

EEmmppllooyymmeenntt ((ttoottaall)):: Covers both employees and self-employed persons aged 15 and older who are engaged in some form
of productive activity in the economy. In Table 1.15, all employment data relate to the second quarter of each year, except for
France (2000 to 2002), for which the first quarter of each year is used.

EEnntteerrpprriissee:: An enterprise is defined as the smallest combination of legal unit that constitutes an organisational unit producing
goods  or  services  and  benefits  from  a  certain  degree  of  autonomy  in  decision-making,  especially  in  the  allocation  of  its
resources. An enterprise can carry out one or more activities at one or more locations.

EEssttaabblliisshhmmeenntt:: The local unit of an enterprise or part of an enterprise situated in a geographically identified place, where or
from where an economic activity is carried out in which — save for certain exceptions — one or more persons work (even if
only part-time) for one and the same enterprise. An accommodation establishment fits the definition of a local unit as the
production  unit,  irrespective  of  whether  accommodation  of  tourists  is  the  main  or  secondary  activity.  This  means  that  all
establishments are classified in the accommodation sector if their capacity exceeds the national minimum, even if the majority
of their turnover comes from restaurant or other services.

5

GGrroossss ddoommeessttiicc pprroodduucctt ((GGDDPP)):: Final result of the production activity of resident producer units.

GGrroossss ddoommeessttiicc pprroodduucctt ((GGDDPP)) aatt ccoonnssttaanntt pprriicceess:: Gives the volume of GDR. Constant price estimates of GDP are obtained
by expressing values in terms of a base period.

GGrroossss ddoommeessttiicc pprroodduucctt ((GGDDPP)) aatt ccuurrrreenntt pprriicceess:: GDP at prices of the current reporting period. Also known as nominal GDR.

GGrroowwtthh rraattee:: Growth rates are the rates of total change over a specified reference period from values at the beginning of the
period or at a specified earlier time.

MMaarrkkeett sshhaarree:: Measures the relative size of an entity as a proportion of the total value of all entities.

Tourism sspecific tterms aand ddefinitions

AAccccoommmmooddaattiioonn  eessttaabblliisshhmmeennttss:: Local  kind-of-activity  unit  (local  KAU)  which  provides  accommodation.  Includes  collective
tourist accommodation establishments and private tourist accommodation.

AAvveerraaggee hhootteell ssiizzee ((bbeedd ppllaacceess ppeerr eessttaabblliisshhmmeenntt//hhootteell)):: Average accommodation capacity of the hotels in a country in terms
of the average number of bed places per hotel. It is calculated by dividing the overall capacity (number of bed places) of
hotels and similar establishments by the number of establishments in the relevant category.

AAvveerraaggee lleennggtthh ooff ssttaayy:: This is obtained by dividing the number of nights spent by the number of arrivals.

BBuussiinneessss ttrriipp:: It is recommended that the term “trip” should be used to describe tourism from the standpoint of the place or
country of origin. A business trip covers the whole period for which a person travels, but for professional purposes.

CCoolllleeccttiivvee  ttoouurriisstt  aaccccoommmmooddaattiioonn  eessttaabblliisshhmmeenntt::  An  accommodation  establishment  that  provides  overnight  lodging  for
travellers in a room or some other unit. However, the number of places it provides must be greater than a specified minimum
for  groups  of  persons  exceeding  a  single  family  unit  and  all  the  places  in  the  establishment  must  come  under  common
commercial-type  management,  even  if  it  is  non-profit-making.  Includes  hotels  and  similar  establishments,  specialised
establishments and other collective establishments.

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TTEECCHHNNIICCAALL NNOOTTEESS

DDoommeessttiicc  ttoouurriissmm:: Activities  of  residents  of  a  given  country  travelling  to  and  staying  in  places  only  within  that  country  but
outside their usual environment.

GGrroossss aannnnuuaall ooccccuuppaannccyy rraattee:: The gross annual occupancy rate of bed places in any one year is obtained by dividing total
overnight stays by the product of the bed places and the number of days in the corresponding year for the same group of
establishments, and multiplying the quotient by 100 to express the result as a percentage.

GGrroossss uuttiilliissaattiioonn ooff bbeedd ppllaacceess:: The gross utilisation or gross occupancy rate of bed places measures the difference in the use
of  accommodation  capacity  between  various  types  of  accommodation  establishments  (e.g.  hotels  against  other  collective
accommodation) or, within the same type, between different categories (e.g. in hotels by star classification). When calculated
on a monthly basis, it indicates the seasonal patterns of use. For hotels, the gross occupancy rate in one month is obtained
by dividing overnight stays by the product of the bed places on offer and the number of days in the corresponding month when
the bed places are available for use. The quotient is multiplied by 100 to express the result as a percentage:

HHoolliiddaayy  ddwweelllliinnggss:: Include  collective  facilities  under  common  management,  such  as  clusters  of  houses  and  bungalows
arranged as dwelling-type accommodation and providing limited hotel services (not including daily bed-making and cleaning).
Holiday villages providing hotel services should, by definition, be included in hotels, even if they are usually not arranged in
rooms. Only establishments which do not provide hotel services should be included in this group.

HHoolliiddaayy ttrriipp:: It is recommended that the term “trip” should be used to describe tourism from the standpoint of the place or
country of origin. A holiday trip covers the whole period for which a person travels for leisure purposes.

HHootteellss aanndd ssiimmiillaarr eessttaabblliisshhmmeennttss:: Establishments that have more than a specified minimum number of rooms, come under
common  management,  and  provide  certain  services,  including  room  service,  daily  bed-making  and  cleaning  of  sanitary
facilities, are grouped in classes and categories, depending on the facilities and services provided, and do not fall into the
category of specialised establishments.

5

IInnbboouunndd ttoouurriissmm:: Activities of non-residents of a given country travelling to and staying in places in that country but outside
their usual environment.

IInntteerrnnaall ttoouurriissmm:: Comprises domestic and inbound tourism.

IInntteerrnnaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm:: Comprises inbound tourism and outbound tourism.

LLeennggtthh ooff ssttaayy:: The length of stay for domestic and overnight trips is defined as nights spent.

NNaattiioonnaall ttoouurriissmm:: Comprises domestic tourism and outbound tourism.

NNiigghhttss ssppeenntt bbyy rreessiiddeennttss aanndd nnoonn-rreessiiddeennttss:: A night spent (or overnight stay) is each night that a guest actually spends (sleeps
or  stays)  or  is  registered  (but  not  necessarily  physically  present)  in  a  collective  accommodation  establishment  or  in  private
tourist accommodation. However, in the context of this publication, nights relate only to nights in collective accommodation
establishments. Overnight stays are recorded by country of residence of the guest and by month. Normally, the date of arrival
is  different  from  the  date  of  departure  but  persons  arriving  after  midnight  and  leaving  on  the  same  day  are  included  in
overnight stays. A person should not be registered in two accommodation establishments at the same time. Overnight stays
by non-tourists (e.g. refugees) should be excluded if possible.

NNuummbbeerr ooff bbeedd ppllaacceess:: The number of bed places in an establishment or dwelling is determined by the number of persons
who can stay overnight in the beds provided in the establishment (dwelling), not counting any extra beds that may be set up
at the customer's request. The term "bed place" means a single bed; a double bed is counted as two bed places. The unit
serves to measure the capacity of any type of accommodation. A bed place is also a place for one person on a camping pitch
or in a boat at a mooring. One camping pitch should be counted as four bed places if the actual number of bed places is
not known.

NNuummbbeerr  ooff  bbeedd  ppllaacceess  ppeerr  eessttaabblliisshhmmeenntt//hhootteell::  Number  of  bed  places  in  a  defined  area  divided  by  the  number  of
establishments/hotels in the same area.

76

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TTEECCHHNNIICCAALL NNOOTTEESS

OOtthheerr  ccoolllleeccttiivvee  aaccccoommmmooddaattiioonn:: Any  establishment  intended  for  tourists  which  may  be  non-profit  making,  coming  under
common  management,  providing  minimum  common  services  (not  including  daily  bed-making)  and  not  necessarily  being
arranged in rooms but perhaps in dwelling type units, campsites or collective dormitories and often engaging in some other
activity than the provision of accommodation, such as health care, social welfare or transport.

OOtthheerr ccoolllleeccttiivvee aaccccoommmmooddaattiioonn nn..ee..cc..:: Comprises youth hostels, tourist dormitories, group accommodation, holiday homes
for  the  elderly,  holiday  accommodation  for  employees  and  workers`  hotels,  halls  of  residence  for  students  and  school
dormitories,  and  other  similar  facilities  that  come  under  common  management,  have  a  social  interest  and  are  often
subsidised.

OOuuttbboouunndd ttoouurriissmm:: Activities of residents of a given country travelling to and staying in places outside their country and outside
their usual environment.

TToouurriissmm iinntteennssiittyy ((ttoouurriisstt nniigghhttss ppeerr rreessiiddeenntt)):: This indicator compares the number of tourists (in terms of overnight stays) with
the number of residents at a destination over the same period (e.g. day, month or year). It measures the intensity of tourism
demand over that period and is one of the indicators used to measure the capacity of a tourist destination. It shows the number
of nights spent in a country divided by the inhabitants of the same country.

TToouurriissmm  bbaallaannccee:: Difference  between  international  tourism  receipts  and  expenditure.  In  countries  that  are  basically
destinations for international tourism the difference is usually positive (i.e. receipts exceed expenditure). This means that the
economy  gains  from  tourism.  By  contrast,  countries  that  are  mainly  generators  of  international  tourism  generally  show  a
negative balance (i.e. expenditure exceeds receipts). This means that their economy loses from tourism, because expenditure
by residents abroad is higher than that by international tourists in the country.

TToouurriissmm eexxppeennddiittuurree:: Total consumption expenditure by or on behalf of a visitor for and during his or her trip and stay at the
destination.

TToouurriissmm  rreecceeiippttss:: Expenditure  by  international  inbound  tourists,  including  their  payments  to  international  carriers  for
international transport.

TToouurriisstt ccaammppssiittee:: Consists of collective facilities in enclosed areas for tents, caravans, trailers, and mobile homes. All come
under common management and provide some form of tourist services (shops, information, recreational activities). Camping
sites let pitches for tents, caravans, mobile homes and similar shelter to overnight visitors who want to stay on a “touring” pitch
for one night, a few days or week(s), and also to people who want to hire a “fixed” pitch for a season or a year. Hired fixed
pitches for long-term rent (more than a year) may be considered as private accommodation.

5

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TTEECCHHNNIICCAALL NNOOTTEESS

5.3

Symbols aand aabbreviations

::

bbnn

not available

billion

mmiioo

million

Country aabbreviations

EEUU-2277

EEUU-2255

EEUU-1155

BBLLEEUU

EEFFTTAA

European Union of 27 countries 
(as of 1 January 2007)

European Union of 25 countries
(as of 1 May 2004)

European Union of 15 countries 
(up to 30 April 2004)

Belgium and Luxembourg

European Free Trade Association

5

BBEE

BBGG

CCZZ

DDKK

DDEE

EEEE

IIEE

EELL

EESS

FFRR

IITT

CCYY

LLVV

LLTT

LLUU

HHUU

MMTT

NNLL

AATT

PPLL

PPTT

RROO

SSII

SSKK

FFII

SSEE

UUKK

Belgium

Bulgaria

Czech Republic

Denmark

Germany

Estonia

Ireland

Greece

Spain

France

Italy

Cyprus

Latvia

Lithuania

Luxembourg

Hungary

Malta

Netherlands

Austria

Poland

Portugal

Romania

Slovenia

Slovakia

Finland

Sweden

United Kingdom

HHRR

MMKK1

TTRR

IISS

LLII

NNOO

CCHH

Croatia
Former Yugoslav Republic of
Macedonia
Turkey

Iceland

Liechtenstein

Norway

Switzerland

Other aabbreviations

DDMMSS

FFIIFFAA

GGDDPP

GGPPSS

GGSSMM

IICCTT

UUEEFFAA

UUMMTTSS

Destination Management System

Fédération Internationale de Football
Association

Gross Domestic Product

Global Positioning System

Global System for Mobile Communication

Information and Communication Technologies

Union of European Football Assocations

Universal Mobile Communication System

Organisations

OOEECCDD

Organisation for Economic Co-operation
and Development

UUNN

United Nations

UUNNWWTTOO World Tourism Organisation

1) Provisional code which does not prejudge in any way the definitive
nomenclature  for  this  country,  which  will  be  agreed  following  the
conclusion of negotiations currently taking place on this subject at the
United Nations. In tables of chapter 2 and 3 the code “MK” is used.

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TTEECCHHNNIICCAALL NNOOTTEESS

5.4

Data ssources

Name

Eurostat

Web aaddress

http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat

Sources uused

Free dissemination databases:

- Tourism – production database

- Balance of payment database

- National accounts database

- Population database

- Labour market database

European CCommission - DDG
Enterprise

http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/services/tourism/i
ndex_en.htm

The European Tourism Industry - A multi-sector with dynamic markets

Country

Belgium

Bulgaria

Czech Republic

Denmark

Germany

Estonia

Ireland

Greece

Spain

France

Italy

Cyprus

Latvia

Lithuania

Luxembourg

Hungary

Malta

Netherlands

Austria

Poland

Portugal

Romania

Slovenia

Slovakia

Finland

Sweden

Web aaddress

Source nname

http://www.statbel.fgov.be

Nationaal Instituut voor de Statistiek / Institut National de Statistique (Statistics Belgium)

http://www.nsi.bg

http://www.czso.cz

http://www.dst.dk

National Statistical Institute

Czech Statistical Office

Danmarks Statistics (Statistics Denmark) 

http://www.destatis.de

Statistisches Bundesamt (Federal Statistical Office)

http://www.stat.ee

http://www.cso.ie

Statistikaamet (Statistical Office of Estonia)

Central Statistics Office

http://www.statistics.gr

National Statistical Service of Greece

http://www.ine.es

http://www.insee.fr

http://www.istat.it

Instituto Nacional de Estadistica (INE)

Institut National de Statistique et des Etudes Economiques (National Institute for Statistics and Economic Studies)

Istituto nazionale di statistica (National Institute of Statistics) 

http://www.mof.gov.cy/mof/cystat/statistics.nsf

Statistical Service of the Republic of Cyprus

http://www.csb.lv

http://www.stat.gov.lt

http://www.statec.lu

http://www.ksh.hu

http://www.nso.gov.mt

http://www.cbs.nl

http://www.statistik.at

http://www.stat.gov.pl

http://www.ine.pt

http://www.insse.ro

http://www.stat.si

Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia

Statistics Lithuania

Service Central de la Statistique et des Etudes Economiques

Központi Statisztikai Hivatal (Hungarian Central Statistical Office)

National Statistics Office

Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek (Statistics Netherlands)

Statistik Austria

Central Statistical Office (GUS)

Instituto Nacional de Estatistica (INE)

Institutul National de Statistica (National Institute of Statistics)

Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia

http://www.statistics.sk

Statisticky urad Slovenske republiky (Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic)

http://www.stat.fi

http://www.scb.se

Tilastokeskus (Statistics Finland)

Statistika centralbyran (Statistics Sweden)

5

United Kingdom

http://www.statistics.gov.uk

Office for National Statistics

Croatia

http://www.dzs.hr

Croatian Bureau of Statistics (CROSTAT)

Former Yugoslav Republic of
Macedonia

http://www.stat.gov.mk

State Statistical Office

Turkey

http://www.die.gov.tr/ENGLISH/index.html

Turkish Statistical Institute

Iceland

Liechtenstein

Norway

Switzerland

http://www.statice.is

Hagstofa Islands (Statistics Iceland)

http://www.llv.li/amtsstellen/llv-avw-statistik.htm Statistik Liechtenstein

http://www.ssb.no

Statistisk sentralbyra (Statistics Norway)

http://www.statistik.admin.ch

Statistik Schweiz

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TTEECCHHNNIICCAALL NNOOTTEESS

5.5

List oof ttables

5

Table 1.1
Table 1.2
Table 1.3
Table 1.4
Table 1.5
Table 1.6
Table 1.7
Table 1.8
Table 1.9
Table 1.10
Table 1.11
Table 1.12
Table 1.13
Table 1.14
Table 1.15
Table 1.16

Table 2.1
Table 2.2
Table 2.3
Table 2.4
Table 2.5
Table 2.6

Table 3.1
Table 3.2
Table 3.3
Table 3.4
Table 3.5
Table 3.6
Table 3.7
Table 3.8
Table 3.9

Tourist nights by type of accommodation in the EU-27, 2006  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Tourist nights in European countries, 2006 (1 000)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Tourism intensity in European countries - Tourist nights per resident, 2000 and 2006  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Evolution of non-resident tourist nights in the EU-27, in total and by area, 2000 to 2006  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Non-resident tourist nights by type of accommodation in the EU-27, 2006  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Non-resident tourist nights in European countries, 2006 (1 000)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Evolution of tourism receipts in the EU-27, in total and by area, 2000 to 2006  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Evolution of tourism expenditure in the EU-27, in total and by area, 2000 to 2006  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Top 10 generators of outbound tourism in the EU-27, 2000 and 2006 (nights spent)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Top 10 tourism spenders of the EU-27, 2000 and 2006 (tourism expenditure, excluding transport)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Top 10 tourism destinations in the EU-27 (domestic and inbound) 2000 and 2006  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Top 10 destinations of international tourism in the EU-27, 2000 and 2006 (nights spent by non-residents) . . . . . . . . . .12
Top 10 tourism earners in the EU-27, 2000 and 2006 (tourism receipts, excluding transport)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Population and area in the EU-27, 2006 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Recent trends in GDP in the EU-27, in total and by area, 2000 to 2006  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Recent trends in employment in the EU-27, in total and by area, 2000 to 2006  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

Accommodation capacity on collective accommodation establishments in Europe, 2000 and 2006 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
Distribution of accommodation capacity, bed places, 2000 and 2006 (%)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Accommodation capacity in hotels and similar establishments in Europe, 2000 and 2006  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
Gross annual occupancy rate in hotels and similar establishments, 2000 and 2006 (%)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
Gross utilisation of bed places in hotels, 2006 (%)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
Nights spent in European countries, 2000 and 2006 (1 000)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

Total trips (leisure and business) by length of stay, 2000 and 2006 (1 000)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31
Total nights spent by tourists from European countries by length of stay, 2000 and 2006 (1 000)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
Total trips by length of stay: average duration of trip, 2000 and 2006 (nights)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
Trips of 1-3 nights: total trips by purpose, 2000 and 2006 (1 000)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
Trips of 1-3 nights: total nights by purpose, 2000 and 2006 (1 000) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35
Trips of 1-3 nights by purpose: average length of stay, 2000 and 2006 (nights)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36
Trips of 4 nights or more: total holiday trips by destination, 2000 and 2006 (1 000)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37
Trips of 4 nights or more: total holiday nights by destination, 2000 and 2006 (1 000)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38
Trips of 4 nights or more by destination: average length of stay, 2000 and 2006 (nights)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39

Table 4.1
Table 4.2.1.1
Table 4.2.1.2
Table 4.2.2.1
Table 4.2.2.2
Table 4.2.3.1
Table 4.2.3.2
Table 4.2.4.1
Table 4.2.4.2
Table 4.2.5.1
Table 4.2.5.2
Table 4.2.6.1
Table 4.2.6.2
Table 4.2.7.1
Table 4.2.7.2
Table 4.2.8.1
Table 4.2.8.2
Table 4.2.9.1
Table 4.2.9.2
Table 4.2.10.1
Table 4.2.10.2
Table 4.2.11.1
Table 4.2.11.2
Table 4.2.12.1
Table 4.2.12.2
Table 4.2.13.1
Table 4.2.13.2
Table 4.2.14.1
Table 4.2.14.2
Table 4.2.15.1
Table 4.2.15.2

Classification of EU-27 countries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44
Main tourism indicators: Belgium in 2000 and 2006  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45
Main tourism markets in Belgium - nights spent by non-residents (as % of total nights), 2000 and 2006  . . . . . . . . . . .45
Main tourism indicators: Bulgaria in 2000 and 2006  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46
Main tourism markets in Bulgaria - nights spent by non-residents (as % of total nights), 2001 and 2006  . . . . . . . . . . .46
Main tourism indicators: Czech Republic in 2000 and 2006  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47
Main tourism markets in the Czech Republic - nights spent by non-residents (as % of total nights), 2002 and 2006  . . .47
Main tourism indicators: Denmark in 2000 and 2006  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48
Main tourism markets in Denmark - nights spent by non-residents (as % of total nights), 2000 and 2006 . . . . . . . . . . .48
Main tourism indicators: Germany in 2000 and 2006  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49
Main tourism markets in Germany - nights spent by non-residents (as % of total nights), 2000 and 2006  . . . . . . . . . .49
Main tourism indicators: Estonia in 2000 and 2006 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50
Main tourism markets in Estonia - nights spent by non-residents (as % of total nights), 2002 and 2006  . . . . . . . . . . . .50
Main tourism indicators: Ireland in 2000 and 2006  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51
Main tourism markets in Ireland - nights spent by non-residents (as % of total nights), 2000 and 2006  . . . . . . . . . . . .51
Main tourism indicators: Greece in 2000 and 2006 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52
Main tourism markets in Greece - nights spent by non-residents (as % of total nights), 2000 and 2006  . . . . . . . . . . . .52
Main tourism indicators: Spain in 2000 and 2006  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53
Main tourism markets in Spain - nights spent by non-residents (as % of total nights), 2000 and 2006  . . . . . . . . . . . . .53
Main tourism indicators: France in 2000 and 2006  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54
Main tourism markets in France - nights spent by non-residents (as % of total nights), 2000 and 2006  . . . . . . . . . . . .54
Main tourism indicators: Italy in 2000 and 2006  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55
Main tourism markets in Italy - nights spent by non-residents (as % of total nights), 2000 and 2006  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55
Main tourism indicators: Cyprus in 2000 and 2006  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56
Main tourism markets in Cyprus - nights spent by non-residents (as % of total nights), 2000 and 2006  . . . . . . . . . . . .56
Main tourism indicators: Latvia in 2000 and 2006  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57
Main tourism markets in Latvia - nights spent by non-residents (as % of total nights), 2003 and 2006  . . . . . . . . . . . . .57
Main tourism indicators: Lithuania in 2000 and 2006  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58
Main tourism markets in Lithuania - nights spent by non-residents (as % of total nights), 2002 and 2006 . . . . . . . . . . .58
Main tourism indicators: Luxembourg in 2000 and 2006  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59
Main tourism markets in Luxembourg - nights spent by non-residents (as % of total nights), 2000 and 2006  . . . . . . . .59

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TTEECCHHNNIICCAALL NNOOTTEESS

Table 4.2.16.1
Table 4.2.16.2
Table 4.2.17.1
Table 4.2.17.2
Table 4.2.18.1
Table 4.2.18.2
Table 4.2.19.1
Table 4.2.19.2
Table 4.2.20.1
Table 4.2.20.2
Table 4.2.21.1
Table 4.2.21.2
Table 4.2.22.1
Table 4.2.22.2
Table 4.2.23.1
Table 4.2.23.2
Table 4.2.24.1
Table 4.2.24.2
Table 4.2.25.1
Table 4.2.25.2
Table 4.2.26.1
Table 4.2.26.2
Table 4.2.27.1
Table 4.2.27.2

Main tourism indicators: Hungary in 2000 and 2006  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60
Main tourism markets in Hungary - nights spent by non-residents (as % of total nights), 2001 and 2006  . . . . . . . . . . .60
Main tourism indicators: Malta in 2000 and 2006  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61
Main tourism markets in Malta - nights spent by non-residents (as % of total nights), 2000 and 2006  . . . . . . . . . . . . .61
Main tourism indicators: The Netherlands in 2000 and 2006  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62
Main tourism markets in the Netherlands - nights spent by non-residents (as % of total nights), 2000 and 2006  . . . . . .62
Main tourism indicators: Austria in 2000 and 2006  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63
Main tourism markets in Austria - nights spent by non-residents (as % of total nights), 2000 and 2006  . . . . . . . . . . . .63
Main tourism indicators: Poland in 2000 and 2006  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64
Main tourism markets in Poland - nights spent by non-residents (as % of total nights), 2003 and 2006  . . . . . . . . . . . .64
Main tourism indicators: Portugal in 2000 and 2006  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65
Main tourism markets in Portugal - nights spent by non-residents (as % of total nights), 2000 and 2006  . . . . . . . . . . .65
Main tourism indicators: Romania in 2000 and 2006  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66
Main tourism markets in Romania - nights spent by non-residents (as % of total nights), 2000 and 2006  . . . . . . . . . . .66
Main tourism indicators: Slovenia in 2000 and 2006  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67
Main tourism markets in Slovenia - nights spent by non-residents (as % of total nights), 2001 and 2006  . . . . . . . . . . .67
Main tourism indicators: Slovakia in 2000 and 2006  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68
Main tourism markets in Slovakia - nights spent by non-residents (as % of total nights), 2003 and 2006  . . . . . . . . . . .68
Main tourism indicators: Finland in 2000 and 2006 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69
Main tourism markets in Finland - nights spent by non-residents (as % of total nights), 2000 and 2006  . . . . . . . . . . . .69
Main tourism indicators: Sweden in 2000 and 2006  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70
Main tourism markets in Sweden - nights spent by non-residents (as % of total nights), 2000 and 2006 . . . . . . . . . . . .70
Main tourism indicators: United Kingdom in 2000 and 2006  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71
Main tourism markets in the United Kingdom - nights spent by non-residents (as % of total nights), 2000 and 2006 . . .71

5.6

List oof ggraphs

Figure 1.1
Figure 1.2
Figure 1.3

Evolution of nights spent, 2000 to 2006 (million)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Evolution of non-resident tourist nights, 2000 to 2006 (million) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Balance of tourism receipts and expenditure in the EU-27, 2000 to 2006 (EUR billion) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Figure 4.2.1
Figure 4.2.2
Figure 4.2.3
Figure 4.2.4
Figure 4.2.5
Figure 4.2.6
Figure 4.2.7
Figure 4.2.8
Figure 4.2.9
Figure 4.2.10
Figure 4.2.11
Figure 4.2.12
Figure 4.2.13
Figure 4.2.14
Figure 4.2.15
Figure 4.2.16
Figure 4.2.17
Figure 4.2.18
Figure 4.2.19
Figure 4.2.20
Figure 4.2.21
Figure 4.2.22
Figure 4.2.23
Figure 4.2.24
Figure 4.2.25
Figure 4.2.26
Figure 4.2.27

Situation of tourism in Belgium in 2000 and 2006  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45
Situation of tourism in Bulgaria in 2000 and 2006 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46
Situation of tourism in the Czech Republic in 2000 and 2006 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47
Situation of tourism in Denmark in 2000 and 2006  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48
Situation of tourism in Germany in 2000 and 2006  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49
Situation of tourism in Estonia in 2000 and 2006  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50
Situation of tourism in Ireland in 2000 and 2006 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51
Situation of tourism in Greece in 2000 and 2006  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52
Situation of tourism in Spain in 2000 and 2006 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53
Situation of tourism in France in 2000 and 2006  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54
Situation of tourism in Italy in 2000 and 2006 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55
Situation of tourism in Cyprus in 2000 and 2006 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56
Situation of tourism in Latvia in 2000 and 2006  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57
Situation of tourism in Lithuania in 2000 and 2006  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58
Situation of tourism in Luxembourg in 2000 and 2006  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59
Situation of tourism in Hungary in 2000 and 2006  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60
Situation of tourism in Malta in 2000 and 2006  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61
Situation of tourism in the Netherlands in 2000 and 2006  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62
Situation of tourism in Austria in 2000 and 2006 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63
Situation of tourism in Poland in 2000 and 2006 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64
Situation of tourism in Portugal in 2000 and 2006 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65
Situation of tourism in Romania in 2000 and 2006  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66
Situation of tourism in Slovenia in 2000 and 2006  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67
Situation of tourism in Slovakia in 2000 and 2006 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68
Situation of tourism in Finland in 2000 and 2006  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69
Situation of tourism in Sweden in 2000 and 2006  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70
Situation of tourism in the United Kingdom in 2000 and 2006  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71

5.7

List oof mmaps

Map 1.1
Map 1.2

Evolution of tourist nights in collective accommodation between 2000 and 2006 (%)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Tourism intensity in European countries, 2006  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

5

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81

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European Commission

Panorama on tourism

Luxembourg: Office for Official Publications of the European Communities

2008 — 81 pp. — 21 x 29.7 cm

ISBN 978-92-79-05151-7

Price (excluding VAT) in Luxembourg: EUR 20

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