With the travel industry celebrating yet another record-breaking year, many eager explorers are setting their sights on new escapades for 2025.
The first seven months of 2024 witnessed a surge in European international tourist arrivals, which were up by an impressive 11 per cent from the previous year and only lagged a marginal 4 per cent behind pre-pandemic levels in 2019, signalling a robust recovery phase for the sector.
However, despite the uptick in tourism, trend patterns show that hotspots like Spain, France, Italy, and Greece continue to dominate holiday choices within Europe.
In particular, Spain is preparing to host a staggering number of over 90 million tourists, while Paris, ignited by the frenzy of the 2024 Olympic Games, saw a significant 18.9 per cent visitor increase compared with figures from the year before.
Simon Calder, travel expert and journalist, has now shared his insights with the Daily Express, urging travellers to venture beyond the ordinary and consider some hidden gem destinations in 2025.
He said: “All the indications that we’ve seen, for instance the figures of people going through airports and the latest figures from travel companies show that we have an insatiable appetite for travel. And 2025 is going to be fantastic in having wider horizons than ever.”
And if you’re keen for a value-for-money getaway, Simon advised: “If you want a bargain destination, then I would head for the Balkans – Bulgaria is always very good value for package holidays.”
Bulgaria, nestled in the eastern Balkans just south of the Danube and west of the Black Sea, shares borders with Greece and Turkey, enjoying similarly scorching summer temperatures.
In 2023, Bulgaria celebrated a record-breaking year with 8.6 million tourists, marking a 13 per cent increase from the previous year, although still dwarfed by Greece’s 33 million and Turkey’s staggering 49 million visitors.
Tourism remains a vital part of Bulgaria’s economy, with hotspots including Sofia, Plovdiv, the coastal resorts of Albena, Golden Sands, Sunny Beach, and ski havens like Bansko and Pamporovo.
History buffs can revel in Bulgaria’s rich past, which has seen Thracians, Greeks, Romans, and Ottomans all leave their mark, resulting in numerous historical treasures such as the Boyana Church, Madara Rider, and the ancient Rila Monastery.
The country also boasts unspoiled coastlines with tranquil beaches and crystal-clear waters, offering a peaceful alternative to the bustling shores of Greece and Turkey.
Simon added: “I’ve also got my money on Albania as an up and coming destination – fantastic beaches, friendly people and prices back to the 20th century”.
With its breathtaking mountain landscapes, ancient castles, lively capital and idyllic beaches that can compete with any Mediterranean country, it’s surprising that only 10 million foreign tourists visited Albania in 2023. Notably, Albania is one of the most budget-friendly destinations in Europe.
A plush hotel room can be as cheap as 50 euros (£41.50), while a hearty meal might set you back just 10 euros (£8.30). In contrast, across the Straits of Corfu, a similar hotel room on the popular Greek island could cost around £86 per night, according to current Booking.com rates.