European travel trends shift toward frequent trips and cooler climates

Travel patterns in Europe are undergoing significant shifts driven by economic accessibility and climate change. In Poland, tourism has seen a substantial increase, with nearly 71 million trips taken in a single year. This includes 54.8 million domestic trips and 16.1 million international trips involving at least one overnight stay, representing an 18 percent increase in international travel over the previous year. Polish airport passenger numbers have also grown significantly, rising from 20.7 million in 2010 to 66.1 million in 2025.

Simultaneously, a new trend known as ‘coolcation’ is emerging across the continent. Due to rising temperatures and extreme weather, travelers are increasingly seeking cooler northern regions to avoid heatwaves. Data from SAS indicates that in the summer of 2025, bookings from Spain, Italy, and France to northern Sweden increased by 50–60 percent compared to the previous year. The European Travel Commission reports that over one-third of Europeans are avoiding destinations prone to extreme weather, with some even considering permanent relocation to cooler climates like Scandinavia or Scotland to escape intensifying heat.