European Research Brief | Lost summer scenario – domestic travel opportunity

Domestic travel has provided a lifeline for the Travel & Tourism industry during the pandemic, filling at least some of the void left by inbound travel. Travel restrictions across the majority of European destinations have dampened activity for most of the past year.

What you will learn:

• The second and third waves of the virus have proliferated across Europe since the start of year, significantly stalling the reversion to norms.
• The reintroduction of restrictive measures to combat this and a slow start to the vaccination process have cast doubt around the hoped-for boom in summer travel across Europe in 2021.
• While a gradual easing of restrictions has now commenced in several European countries, the ‘stop-go’ nature of restrictions and extra effort and new costs involved in foreign travel, including for tests, may continue to weaken travel demand.