More people to travel to continental Europe

Monday October 29th , 2007

The number of people travelling to continental Europe is expected to increase significantly over the next four years, new estimates have revealed.

According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) demand for flights to Europe will rise by five per cent a year between now and 2011 as more people from around the world look to take their holidays on the continent.

For overseas property investors the expected growth in travellers will bring with it new opportunities as visitors demand more apartments, villas and other forms of rental accommodation in countries such as Spain and Italy.

"The numbers clearly show that the world wants to fly. And it also needs to fly," said Giovanni Bisignani, director general and chief executive of the IATA.

Data from the Office for National Statistics shows that many British tourists are still choosing European countries over long haul destinations to take their holidays.