According to a Flash Eurobarometer survey published by the European Commission, EU holiday makers, as many as 88% spent their vacations somewhere within the EU, either in their own country or in another Member State. Spain (12%), Italy (8%) and France (7%) are still the most preferred destinations.

A Flash Eurobarometer survey published by the European Commission showed that the tourism sector is one of the few sectors that have continued to grow and create jobs, despite the crisis. According to the survey results, seven out of ten Europeans travelled in 2012, the same proportion as in 2011. The industry's robust and resilient performance is expected to continue in 2013: three quarters of respondents to a recent EU survey are planning to go on holiday this year, although 34% will adapt their holiday plans to take the economic situation into account. Holiday plans for 2013 closely resembled the destinations chosen in 2012.

The survey also found that 71% of Europeans travelled for work or private reasons in 2012. In June 2012, Eurostat reported that number of business trips fell by 11% between 2008 and 2011 in the EU. Tourism remained stable compared to last year's survey. A socio-demographic analysis reveals that a majority of respondents who travelled are aged 15-39, or have a high level of education, or live in a large town.

Moreover, 88% of EU respondents who travelled for a personal holiday of at least four nights went somewhere within the EU. Spending time in the sunshine or at the beach was the main reason for a holiday of at least four consecutive nights in 2012 (40%), closely followed by visiting family, friends or relatives (36%). Most EU citizens were satisfied with the general level of prices (83%), which represents another key reason to go back to the same holiday destination.