Desire for a holiday at its peak but the budget does not take off

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No desire to give up on holidays and the desire to leave is at its highest since 2011. The increases in prices and the weight of inflation are worrying, causing the average budget to grow by only 2%, which this year is around 1,800 euros. The desire to go abroad is high: 4 out of 10 Italians want to go abroad and the most popular destinations are Spain (15%) followed on equal terms by France and Greece (9%). Looking at European travellers, the favorite destinations are those of Italy, France and Spain. For Italians, this year too will be marked by seaside holidays (63%) with a slight increase (+5%) of those who will opt for cities of art. The car will remain the most used means of transport but in decline (-8%) while the airplane will grow by 5%. As regards the choice of accommodation, hotels remain the main choice together with the B&Bs preferred by almost a third of Italians. This is revealed by the twenty-second edition of the Ipsos-Europ Assistance Holiday Barometer. «The world of travel has started 2023 with great impetus and, according to forecasts, it will reach, and probably even exceed, the levels of 2019 – explains Fabio Carsenzuola, CEO Mediterranean & Latam Region of Europ Assistance -. We return to travel a lot and above all abroad, with new habits, in different ways and with a growing propensity to take out insurance». The fixed point is the great enthusiasm with which they plan their next trip and vacation, among the top in Europe. Thus, last minute bookings are made in advance compared to recent years: 34% of those interviewed declare that they have already booked their holiday, 58% have done so or do so at least 2 months in advance and 31% having anticipated the reservation compared to what was done in the past. You feel the weight of inflation and double-digit price increases, they have a negative impact but they do not curb the desire to leave. 53% of the sample plans to increase the budget and Italians are confirmed among the most attentive in Europe to savings in choosing destinations closer to home, accommodation, means of transport and in the search for last minute offers. In short, careful planning so as not to go over the budget.

What will the holidays be like in 2023

Once the worries brought by Covid have been archived, the majority of Italians dream of a relaxing holiday with family or friends. Among the growing trends are those who want to discover new cultures (28%, +4 compared to 2022) or to expand their friendships (12%, +3 compared to 2022). The number of people who declare they traveling alone (+2% compared to 2022). Smartworking also changes the way people go on holiday: the phenomenon of workation is growing throughout Europe with 38% of Italians (+9% on 2022) especially between the ages of 18 and 34, who consider the possibility of working from holiday, to extend or bring forward the time spent in the holiday destination. Finally, Italians are among the most inclined in Europe to adopt forms of sustainable tourism to protect the environment and support local communities. Furthermore, among Italians there is a growing propensity to take out insurance for fear of unexpected events. In fact, the most requested guarantees concern medical expenses (71%) and trip cancellation (63%).