The Mediterranean area is by far probably the most beloved leisure locations in Europe. Its numerous landscapes, heat summer season temperatures, sandy seashores, and well-known historic landmarks entice hundreds of thousands of holiday makers yearly.

As of summer season 2023, capability in all Mediterranean international locations, excluding Slovenia, has recovered to pre-pandemic ranges. This is because of quite a lot of components, together with the reopening of borders post-pandemic, individuals’s elevated willingness to journey, in addition to the addressing of resourcing and plane availability confronted by airways and airports in 2022.

Worldwide summer season capability

The Mediterranean area contains about 22 international locations, together with Spain, Italy, Greece, and Croatia in Europe. All areas have seen various post-pandemic exercise. Whereas Turkey continues its upward trajectory, Spain, France, and Italy stay the most important markets relating to worldwide capability.

Spain had about 144.4 million seats in Summer time 2023, a forty five.6% enhance in comparison with the identical interval in 2013. France was the second highest with roughly 109.4 million seats, a 32.1% enchancment from Summer time 2013. Italy was third with practically 105.3 million seats. Nonetheless, Albania had the strongest progress with 5.82 million seats, a 277% enhance from Summer time 2013. Greece had the second-highest progress with 147%, adopted by Turkey with 114%, and Croatia, rising by 104%.

Quickest-growing locations

To dive deeper into element, OAG examined the vacation locations within the Mediterranean with over a million worldwide seats. It discovered that the highest 15 fastest-growing Mediterranean locations elevated their worldwide capability by over 100% and are all situated within the southeastern area. Moreover, seven of those locations are in Greece.

Within the Hellenic Republic, Santorini (JTR) noticed a 366% enhance in capability, whereas Mykonos (JMK) grew by 250% within the final decade. Earlier this yr, the European Journey Fee confirmed that American holidaymakers would probably journey to Greece in 2023, forward of Italy and Spain. Greece’s pure magnificence and vibrant ambiance proceed to draw extra worldwide vacationers.

Graph: Easy Flying

Within the Balkans, Albania and Croatia are rising in recognition as different promising heat locations. Worldwide seat capability to the Albanian capital of Tirana (TIA) grew by 273% in Summer time 2013, in comparison with the identical interval ten years in the past. In the meantime, Zarda (ZAD) in Croatia has grown by 171%. About 93% of its capability is served by low-cost carriers. The opposite Croatian metropolis of Cut up (SPU) elevated by 155%.

Slowest-growing Mediterranean locations

Whereas the highest 15% locations all grew by over 100%, the underside 15 grew by 62% or much less. Among the many backside 15, Spain’s Gran Canaria (LPA) had the best progress price with 62%, adopted by Portugal’s Faro (FAO) with 60%, and France’s Marseille (MRS) with 59%. Conversely, Girona (GRO) decreased by 45% over the ten years. These all signify the extra conventional and mature locations throughout the Mediterranean area.

Photograph: Markus Mainka | Shutterstock

In keeping with OAG, the South East locations with the best progress are rising in recognition due to their mixture of white sandy seashores, historic landmarks, and unimaginable delicacies. The southeastern seashores are mentioned to rival the enduring coastlines within the Caribbean. Current developments counsel that guests within the Mediterranean are more and more favoring a memorable, genuine escape over a mainstream vacation at an reasonably priced worth.

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Supply: OAG