Western Europe

In 2023, leisure travel current value sales are expected to exceed their 2019 pre-COVID-19 pandemic level. As the threat of and measures related to the pandemic eased and lifted, Belgian consumers have been eager to travel. Leisure air travel,…

In February 2023, Globalia Group and International Airlines Group (IAG) reached an agreement for the sale of the entire airline company Air Europa. This closes a long process which began with the pre-agreement adopted in November 2019, later modified…

Airlines is seeing strong growth in 2023 both in terms of the number of passengers but also in terms of value sales. New routes, more connections and a stronger presence in Italy is all fuelling the dynamic growth being recorded by airlines, with…

Russia’s war in Ukraine coupled with the EU’s ambitious Zero Carbon policy continues to put pressure on fuel prices and this has led to a significant increase in the average ticket price for the end consumer. European regulators have introduced new…

Due to high airport fees at Athens International Airport “Eleftherios Venizelos” (AIA), Ryanair shut down its Athens base in October 2022. The airline withdrew two aircraft between October 29th to March 31st, leading to a reduction of scheduled…

Airlines suffered heavily due to COVID-19, with passenger numbers at Finnish airports in 2020 dropping to less than one quarter of the level of the previous year. The number of people decreased further in 2021, and, despite triple-digit growth in…

Due to COVID-19-related travel restrictions, as well as many consumers not willing to travel as much as before, airlines suffered due to the pandemic in 2020-2021, with the number of passengers and value sales in both years drastically reduced.

The number of passengers passing through Belgian airports is expected to continue to rise in 2023, with some categories, such as low cost carriers, exceeding the 2019 pre-COVID-19 pandemic level. Ryanair, the major low cost carrier is set to…

France’s travel industry is on the path to recovery in 2023 having already seen strong growth in inbound arrivals in 2022. Admittedly, the context is not ideal with Russia’s war in Ukraine, soaring inflation, and more cautious consumption habits…

After an impressive recovery in 2022 as COVID-19 fears subsided, tourism flows have continued to post strong growth in 2023. There are no longer any restrictions in place while the World Health Organisation declared the COVID-19 pandemic to be over…

Lodging fared better in 2022 than had been expected and continues to perform well in 2023. 2020 and 2021 were a disaster for the hotel industry, with occupancy rates of 38% and 48% respectively, according to INSEE – French official statistics. The…

Germany experiences a continuous flow of immigrants that supports its population, and its businesses are embracing greater diversity and inclusivity. The impacts of the pandemic on consumer trends and spending habits are still evident in 2022, with a…

Booking sales have seen a strong recovery over 2022-2023. Industry players have benefited from the rearrangement of postponed travel bookings, with many consumers having postponed travelling abroad during the pandemic. After two years of restrictions…

Defying expectations and predictions, there was a significant recovery in travel and tourism in the second half of 2022 and the first half of 2023. Within this, airlines has been a standout performer in France as well as many other countries. The…

Stockholm and Gothenburg are Sweden’s most economically vibrant cities. Meanwhile, Norrköping holds the highest potential for future economic growth. However, challenges for the country’s cities will persist – in the near term, the global economic…

Denmark’s urban landscape is evolving with demographic shifts and technological advancements. In 2022, Copenhagen remained a populous hub, embracing 5G and smart city solutions. Economic strength persists, but inflation challenges purchasing power.…

In the upcoming years, consumers and businesses face an array of challenges, with income inequality, mass migration and rising uncertainty about another crisis being among the major ones. Nevertheless, within this lie untapped opportunities. This…

Flavoured/mixed lager packaging continued to register strong growth in France's alcoholic drinks packaging industry in 2022, helped by changing consumer preferences and the demand for unique taste experiences. Breweries sought to differentiate their…

Inflationary pressures are expected to hinder real disposable income growth and diminish purchasing power in the near future. Nevertheless, the government is implementing measures to protect vulnerable households amidst the cost-of-living crisis.…

The UK’s population is ageing, and more people are choosing to live child-free. By 2040, Millennials (aged 45-60 years) will be the largest demographic, surpassing Baby Boomers. To cope with rising costs, consumers actively seek bargains, although…