Accor forecasts 32% growth in tourist nights in Europe by 2036

Europe will retain its leadership in global tourism, according to an Accor report

The hotel group Accor has published the study 'The Changing Map of Tourism in Europe to 2036', prepared on the basis of data from Tourism Economics. The report states that Europe will 'remain the engine of the global travel industry' over the coming decade, and that demand for tourist accommodation on the continent will grow by roughly a third, reports euronews.

Key figures of the forecast

The number of nights spent in accommodation establishments in Europe will grow by 32% between 2026 and 2036, meaning an additional 1.6 billion nights per year. The hotel segment, according to the forecast, will grow faster — by 33%. Nights spent by foreign tourists across all types of accommodation will increase by 42%, while growth among domestic tourists will be only 24%. For comparison: in 2025 Europe was visited by 810 million foreign tourists — more than any other region in the world. The continent accounted for 53% of all international arrivals, and inbound tourism revenues exceeded 700 billion euros.

Who will be travelling to Europe

The bulk of new arrivals will be travellers from Europe itself — 77%. The largest source market will be Germany, with 14% of all arrivals, followed by British (8%) and French (5%) tourists; the top five is rounded out by the United States (5%) and the Netherlands (4%). For individual destinations, by 2036 Germany will become the main source market for France and Poland, the Netherlands for Germany, the British for Spain, and Americans for the United Kingdom.

The fastest-growing destinations and long-haul markets

Although France, the United Kingdom and Germany will remain in demand, the fastest growth in nights spent by foreign tourists is forecast in new 'hot spots': in Azerbaijan — 116% over ten years, in Latvia — 83%, and in Romania — 82%. In long-haul markets, arrivals from Middle Eastern countries will grow by 93%, from Asia by 88%, including 138% from China and 55% from Saudi Arabia. Arrivals from Africa will increase by 46%, from South America by 42%, and from North America by 26%. Accor links this growth to shifting tourist flows, investment in infrastructure, the emergence of new destinations and growing international mobility, and cites Europe's strength as the diversity of its offerings — from metropolises and beach resorts to gastronomic tourism and festivals — within a compact territory.