February 23, 2026, 6:51 pm | Read time: 5 minutes
Americans and Europeans have historically enjoyed traveling to each other’s countries regularly. But not so much this year. A recent report from the European Travel Commission found that fewer Americans want to visit Europe than before. Here’s what’s behind it.
Long united in strong ties, the relationship between the U.S. and Europe is currently under significant strain. The war in Ukraine, Greenland, migration, NATO, climate—the list of issues where the Trump administration and the European Union disagree is long. This divergence in values could also be reflected in travel behavior this year. Not only have fewer Europeans wanted to travel to the U.S. recently—fear of entry difficulties and criticism of the current U.S. administration are two main reasons—but Americans are also planning fewer trips to Europe in 2026. This is according to a report from the European Travel Commission (ETC). For this, 1,000 people from seven nations aged 18 to 70 were surveyed between December 1 and 12, 2025. Here’s an overview of the numbers.
Americans Plan Fewer Trips to Europe in 2026
Only 34 percent of Americans want to travel to Europe this year, according to the ETC report. That’s three percent less than last year and even eleven percent less than in 2024.
A report from the travel portal “The Travel” supports the downward trend with current booking figures. According to this, flight bookings from the U.S. to Europe fell by 7.3 percent between October 7, 2025, and the end of January 2026. The travel magazine cites data from aviation analyst Cirium.
In contrast, a survey by the travel portal “Travel Weekly” of various American travel providers shows they consistently report rising booking numbers for Europe in 2026. They have not noticed a significant increase in cancellations. There was a decline in bookings in January, but “Travel Weekly” explains that it was only temporary.
So is it true that fewer Americans will travel to Europe this year—or not? The actual decline in booking numbers remains to be seen.
Why Do Fewer Americans Want to Travel to Europe?
Overall, American interest in long-distance travel seems to have decreased this year: 50 percent of the 1,000 Americans surveyed for the ETC report plan a long-distance trip in 2026. Last year, it was 53 percent, and in 2024, it was 60 percent.
And why is that? These days, there’s talk of “American Shame,” a fear of being judged abroad for the actions of one’s own government. The ETC report reflects this sentiment to some extent, as 47 percent of surveyed Americans find it important that their travel destination shares similar values, such as sustainability, inclusion, and equality. However, for more than half, the attractions and experiences at the destination are crucial. The response to the values question suggests that the potential shift away from European travel may partly be due to the growing divergence in values between the EU and the U.S. But according to the ETC, the main reason is more pragmatic.
The ETC report states that money is the primary factor keeping Americans from long-distance travel this year. More than half plan to forgo long-distance trips due to high travel costs. Accommodation and food are seen as the top expenses for a European vacation, excluding travel to and from the destination. For other respondents, domestic travel is the focus this year. Less than ten percent also cite insufficient travel time and geopolitical conflicts as reasons. Additionally, administrative hurdles and regional travel are mentioned.
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Europe Also Less Attractive for Other Travelers
According to the ETC report, interest in traveling to Europe has decreased not only among Americans. The overall numbers from the seven countries examined in the report—China, Brazil, Australia, Canada, the U.S., South Korea, and Japan—show a decline: In 2024, 49 percent traveled to Europe, but this year, it’s seven percent less. China shows the most interest, with 59 percent this year. Brazil’s interest in European travel remains high at 54 percent, with Brazilians primarily traveling to Portugal. The biggest decline is seen in Australia: 47 percent plan a trip to Europe, seven percent less than last year.
Internationally, high travel costs are the main reason for avoiding trips to Europe (43 percent). Additionally, 18 percent of respondents express interest in another region. Only five percent cite Russia’s war against Ukraine as the reason for not traveling to Europe this year.
How Safe Does Europe Feel for Travelers?
Besides the mentioned reasons, safety concerns may also play a role in travel decisions. According to the ETC, safety is the number-one factor for choosing a travel destination across all surveyed countries. Fifty-one percent select their destination primarily based on safety, six percent more than last year. The sense of safety is largely dependent on a low crime rate for nearly half. Clean tourist facilities (38 percent), visible security measures (37 percent), political stability (34 percent), and friendly locals (34 percent) are also crucial. Reviews from other travelers, climate, and available tourist information contribute to the sense of security.
And how safe do Americans feel in Europe? Whether it’s political stability, personal safety, discrepancies between tourists and locals, climate, or terrorism, Americans consistently rate their safety in the high 3s on a scale of 1 to 5, feeling “neutral to somewhat safe,” according to the ETC. Other nations feel similarly, except for travelers from China, who rate their safety in Europe even higher.