Anabelle Colaco
22 Feb 2026

BRUSSELS, Belgium: Europe is increasingly looking to Chinese and Indian travellers to sustain tourism growth, as signs emerge of a slowdown in demand from American visitors, according to a survey published on February 18 by the European Travel Commission.

International arrivals to Europe are projected to rise 6.2 percent this year, with stronger growth from Asia helping offset softer expansion from the United States.

The findings mark the first indication of cooling momentum in the post-pandemic surge in American travel to Europe, which a strong U.S. dollar and relative economic resilience in North America had supported.

An earlier study by the European Travel Commission found that Americans were less inclined to visit Europe in 2026 than in 2025, citing worsening economic concerns and geopolitical instability.

By contrast, arrivals from China are expected to jump 28 percent from 2025 levels, while Indian arrivals are forecast to increase by nine percent. Growth in visitor numbers from the Americas, meanwhile, is seen at just 4.2 percent.

Flight booking data also points to shifting travel patterns. According to aviation intelligence firm Cirium, bookings from Europe to the United States between October 7 and the end of January declined 14.2 percent year-on-year. Bookings from the U.S. to Europe fell 7.3 percent over the same period.

Even as interest from core American travellers moderates, Europe continues to attract long-haul visitors, particularly those seeking premium or experience-focused travel.

"Europe continues to stand out as a reliable destination, well-positioned to respond to evolving demand for more flexible travel and experience-led journeys," said Miguel Sanz, head of the European Travel Commission.

Travel spending in Europe is estimated to have risen 9.7 percent in 2025, the survey showed.

The trend aligns with comments from major European airlines, including Lufthansa and Air France-KLM, which have reported steady growth in premium cabin bookings, even as economy-class demand on transatlantic routes has softened.

Air France-KLM is scheduled to report its full-year 2025 results on February 19.