Demand for long-haul travel has fallen again this summer, with tourists planning their trips more cautiously and becoming increasingly price-conscious. Europe, however, continues to stand out internationally, as travellers still regard the continent as the world’s safest destination.

Europe has retained its leading position in the global travel market in terms of perceived safety, according to the latest Long-Haul Travel Barometer published jointly by the European Travel Commission and Eurail. The report found that Europe remains the safest global destination in the minds of international travellers, even as overall interest in long-haul trips has weakened slightly.

Global demand for long-haul travel has declined again this summer, with travel intentions falling by five percentage points to 52 per cent. Interest in Europe has also softened, although to a lesser extent, dropping by three percentage points to 36 per cent.

Across the key markets surveyed – including the United States, Canada, Brazil, China, Japan and South Korea – demand remains stable but cautious. Travellers are taking longer to make decisions, while prices and safety concerns are playing an even greater role in destination choices.

The world’s safest and riskiest countries according to the Travel Risk Index

Although interest in Europe has eased overall, significant differences remain between source markets. China continues to be the strongest market, with 63 per cent of respondents planning a trip to Europe this summer. The figure stands at 47 per cent in Brazil, 40 per cent in Canada and just 14 per cent in Japan.

In both the United States and South Korea, 28 per cent of respondents intend to visit Europe, marking the third consecutive summer of declining interest. In Australia, travel intentions have fallen to 33 per cent.

According to the report, this demonstrates that demand for Europe may fluctuate, but it continues to rest on a broad global base. One of the continent’s greatest competitive advantages remains its reputation for safety, where it performs particularly well in several areas:

  • Political stability: respondents see Europe as more predictable and stable than other regions.
  • Personal safety: travellers generally feel safe across the continent.
  • Relations between tourists and local communities: tensions involving visitors are perceived to be lower.
  • Natural risks: Europe is viewed more favourably regarding natural hazards.
  • Reliability and predictability: these qualities have become increasingly valuable in today’s uncertain international environment.

Safety is also the single most important factor when choosing a European destination, with 44 per cent of respondents identifying it as their primary consideration. Famous landmarks and well-developed tourism infrastructure follow closely behind.

According to the Travel Risk Index 2026, the world’s safest countries are overwhelmingly European. The ranking assesses risk on a scale of 0 to 100 based on factors including crime, healthcare, political stability, transport safety and natural hazards, with lower scores indicating greater safety.

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The world’s 10 safest countries

1. Norway – 15/100

2. Switzerland – 15/100

3. Andorra – 17/100

4. Austria – 17/100

5. Belgium – 17/100

6. Cyprus – 17/100

7. Denmark – 17/100

8. Finland – 17/100

9. Gibraltar – 17/100

10. Guernsey – 17/100

The list is entirely dominated by European countries, alongside a handful of smaller states with exceptionally high levels of stability. Hungary received a risk score of 26 out of 100, placing it in the middle category and in 58th position overall. The country is therefore considered broadly safe, although it does not belong to the lowest-risk group.

The world’s 10 highest-risk countries

1. Afghanistan – 79/100

2. Somalia – 78/100

3. Haiti – 76/100

4. Sudan – 74/100

5. Iraq – 71/100

6. Venezuela – 70/100

7. Libya – 69/100

8. Yemen – 63/100

9. Pakistan – 62/100

10. Nigeria – 62/100

The highest-risk categories are largely associated with conflict zones and politically unstable regions.

Cost ultimately becomes the deciding factor

The report’s other key finding is that the biggest obstacle to long-haul travel is cost. Most respondents now consider travelling to Europe more expensive than in the past, prompting many either to postpone their plans or alter their itineraries.

According to the barometer, high prices are particularly problematic in markets where inflation and weaker exchange rates have reduced purchasing power. As a result, growing numbers of travellers are choosing shorter, cheaper or closer destinations instead of Europe, or simply delaying their trips.

Booking patterns are also changing. Rather than planning holidays many months in advance, travellers are increasingly adopting a wait-and-see approach. They are making decisions over shorter periods and responding more directly to current prices and special offers, creating less predictable demand for tourism providers.

The Long-Haul Travel Barometer shows that travel intentions vary considerably from one market to another. Some regions are displaying greater caution, while demand remains steadier elsewhere. The common theme, however, is that travellers everywhere have become more careful in their decision-making, while Europe continues to hold its leading position in global safety rankings.

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