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Tour Operators in Europe - Market Size, Industry Analysis, Trends and Forecasts (2024-2029)

ISIC 7912 March 2024 Spotlight Report

Revenue

€78.3bn

2019-2024 6.2 %
2024-2029 X.X %

Employees

160k

2019-2024 0.2 %
2024-2029 X.X %

Businesses

26,622

2019-2024 0.5 %
2024-2029 X.X %

Wages

€X.Xbn

2019-2024 X.X %
2024-2029 X.X %

Tour Operators in Europe industry analysis

Revenue in the Tour Operators industry in Europe is anticipated to contract at a compound annual rate of 6.2% to €78.3 billion over the five years through 2024. The decline in revenue over the period is predominantly due to the damage the COVID-19 outbreak inflicted on the travel sector over the two years through 2022. Customers were unable to travel abroad or domestically. Since restrictions were eased (at different intervals across different countries), holiday numbers have increased both domestically and internationally, which has seen an influx in bookings for European tour operators. Travel in Europe has reached 91% of its pre-pandemic level, as recorded by the European Travel Commission, and many Europeans have sought advice and booked tours to travel to their dream destinations. Revenge travel is a trend tour operators have become accustomed to, with customers hungry for trips after being locked in for so long during the COVID-19 outbreak. High inflation in the two years through 2024 is curbing demand as people’s pockets are squeezed. As a result, tour operator’s revenue is set to contract by 3.1% in 2024. The weather continues to dictate seasonal demand and destinations that tour operators target for trips, whilst geopolitical tensions have customers wanting the protection of booking through a travel operator.

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Industry Statistics and Trends

Tour Operators in Europe key trends

Tour operators that keep updating their travel technology will nudge ahead of competitors.

 

Investing and building easy-to-use online booking systems will ensure customers continue to enjoy booking their trips with certain operators.

Travel has rebounded thanks to pent-up demand from COVID-19.

 

Many people remain eager to travel to their bucket list destinations after not travelling for several years and those adventuring to new locations want more travel protection and advice.

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Tour Operators in Europe

Industry Revenue

Total value and annual change from 2011-2029. Includes 5-year outlook.

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Tour Operators in Europe market size (2019-2024)

Industry revenue has declined at a CAGR of 6.2 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated €78.3bn in 2024.

Trends and Insights

Tourism across Europe and internationally is back

  • Travel in Europe has reached 91% of its pre-pandemic level, according to the European Travel Commission, and that has primarily been driven by Europeans travelling within Europe and plenty of international visitors - particularly from the US.

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Tour Operators in Europe outlook (2024-2029)

Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.

Online bookings will continue to be a staple of the industry

  • More and more people will organise their trips through online tour operators or book travel and destination activities directly, which will cut out the services of tour operators.

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Revenue

€78.3bn

2019-2024 6.2 %
2024-2029 X.X %

Employees

160k

2019-2024 0.2 %
2024-2029 X.X %

Wages

€X.Xbn

2019-2024 X.X %
2024-2029 X.X %

European Leaders & Laggards

Europe Job Growth CAGR: 0.2 % *
  • Job Growth

Top 5 Countries

  1. France +10.2%
  2. Slovakia +8.6%
  3. Russia +6.9%
  4. Croatia +4.7%
  5. Netherlands +4.6%

Bottom 5 Countries

  1. Portugal -27.0%
  2. Iceland -15.7%
  3. Greece -10.5%
  4. Estonia -8.8%
  5. Latvia -8.0%

* CAGR values are for the years 2019-2024.

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Biggest companies in the Tour Operators in Europe

Company
Market Share (%)
2024
Revenue (€m)
2024
Profit (€m)
2024
Profit Margin (%)
2024
REWE Group
84,321.0
1,599.0
1.9
Rainbow Tours SA
3,203.0
120.0
3.7
Jet2 plc
6,220.0
457.0
7.3

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Tour Operators in Europe

Products & Services Segmentation

Industry revenue broken down by key product and services lines.

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Top Questions Answered in this Report

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What is the market size of the Tour Operators industry in Europe in 2024?

The market size of the Tour Operators industry in Europe is €78.3bn in 2024.

How many businesses are there in the Tour Operators in Europe industry in 2024?

There are 26,622 businesses in the Tour Operators industry in Europe, which has declined at a CAGR of 0.5 % between 2019 and 2024.

Has the Tour Operators industry in Europe grown or declined over the past 5 years?

The market size of the Tour Operators industry in Europe has been declining at a CAGR of 6.2 % between 2019 and 2024.

What is the forecast growth of the Tour Operators industry in Europe over the next 5 years?

Over the next five years, the Tour Operators industry in Europe is expected to grow.

What does the Tour Operators in Europe include?

Domestic tours and excursions within Europe and Tours to the rest of the world are part of the Tour Operators industry.

Which countries have the most businesses in the Tour Operators industry in Europe?

The European country with the most businesses in the Tour Operators industry is Italy.

How competitive is the Tour Operators industry in Europe?

The level of competition is high and increasing in the Tour Operators industry in Europe.

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Table of Contents

About this industry

Industry definition

Tour operators arrange, assemble and conduct tours in Europe and other countries around the world. These tours can be sold directly by the operators or via travel agencies. Tours may include a combination of transportation, accommodation, food and visits to events or locations.

Related Terms

STAYCATIONPACKAGE HOLIDAY

What's included in this industry?

Domestic tours and excursions within Europe Tours to the rest of the worldTours for overseas visitors

Companies

REWE GroupRainbow Tours SAJet2 plc

Industry Code

ISIC 2006

7912 - Tour operator activities in Europe

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Performance

Key Takeaways

Tourism across Europe and internationally is back

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Revenue Highlights

Trends
  • Revenue
  • 2024 Revenue Growth
  • Revenue Volatility

Employment Highlights

Trends
  • Employees
  • Employees per Business
  • Revenue per Employee

Business Highlights

Trends
  • Businesses
  • Employees per Business
  • Revenue per Business

Profit Highlights

Trends
  • Total Profit
  • Profit Margin
  • Profit per Business

Current Performance

Charts
  • Revenue in the Tour Operators in Europe industry (2011 -2029)
  • Employees in the Tour Operators in Europe industry (2011 -2029)
  • Business in the Tour Operators in Europe industry (2011 -2029)
  • Profit in the Tour Operators in Europe industry (2011 -2029)
Analysis

What's driving current industry performance in the Tour Operators in Europe industry?


Outlook

Analysis

What's driving the Tour Operators in Europe industry outlook?


Volatility

Analysis

What influences volatility in the Tour Operators in Europe industry?

Charts
  • Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth Matrix

Life Cycle

Analysis

What determines the industry life cycle stage in the Tour Operators in Europe industry?

Charts
  • Industry Life Cycle Matrix

Products and Markets

Highlights

Trends
  • Largest Market
  • Product Innovation

Key Takeaways

By specialising, tour operators can carve out a niche. Targeting a specific age group or specialising in a certain activity tour operators can target younger age groups looking for affordable tours that are filled with fun activities.

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Products and Services

Charts
  • Products and Services Segmentation
Analysis

How are the Tour Operators in Europe industry's products and services performing?

Analysis

What are innovations in the Tour Operators in Europe industry's products and services?


Major Markets

Charts
  • Major Market Segmentation
Analysis

What influences demand in the Tour Operators in Europe industry?


International Trade

Highlights

  • Largest Importer
  • Smallest Importer
  • Total Imports into Europe
  • Largest Exporter
  • Smallest Exporter
  • Total Exports into Europe
Heat maps
  • Industry Concentration of Imports by Country
  • Industry Concentration of Exports by Country
Data Tables

Value and annual change (%) included

  • Number of Imports and Exports by European Country (2024)

Geographic Breakdown

Business Locations

Heat maps
  • Share of Total Industry Revenue by Region (2024)
  • Share of Total Industry Enterprises by Region (2024)
  • Share of Total Industry Employment by Region (2024)
  • Share of Total Industry Wages by Region (2024)

Industry Geographic Breakdown

Data Tables

Values and annual change provided for 37 European countries:

  • Revenue (2024)
  • IVA (2024)
  • Enterprises (2024)
  • Employment (2024)
  • Exports (2024)
  • Imports (2024)

Competitive Forces

Highlights

Trends
  • Concentration
  • Competition
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Substitutes
  • Buyer Power
  • Supplier Power

Key Takeaways

Expanding through acquiring smaller travel agencies is boosting concentration. Larger tour operators do buy up smaller, niche operators that specialise in countries or regions to increase their presence throughout Europe and expand their customer base.

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Supply Chain

Charts

Buyer and supply industries

Companies

Market Share

Charts
  • Industry Market Share by Company (2019-2024)

Companies

Data Tables

Top 10 companies by market share:

  • Market share (2024)
  • Revenue (2024)
  • Profit (2024)
  • Profit Margin (2024)

Data Tables
  • Countries of operation for REWE Group
  • Countries of operation for Rainbow Tours SA
  • Countries of operation for Jet2 plc
  • Countries of operation for Schauinsland-Reisen GmbH
  • Countries of operation for Expedia Group Inc
  • Countries of operation for Tui AG
  • Countries of operation for eDreams ODIGEO SA
  • Countries of operation for Virgin Holidays Ltd
  • Countries of operation for Star Tours Europe
  • Countries of operation for Euroventure Travel Ltd

External Environment

Highlights

Trends
  • Regulation & Policy
  • Assistance

Key Takeaways

Operators rely on associations for guidance and legal advice. Associations offering insurance to operators provide guidance to support high service standards, ensure health and safety regulations are met and promote responsible tourism.

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External Drivers

Analysis

What demographic and macroeconomic factors impact the Tour Operators in Europe industry?

Financial Benchmarks

Highlights

Trends
  • Profit Margin
  • Average Wage
  • Largest Cost

Key Takeaways

A desire for revenge travel has supported a spike in tour operator bookings. Profit has surged as people continue to prioritise travelling despite the cost of living in many European countries remaining high.

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Cost Structure

Charts
  • Share of Economy vs. Investment Matrix
  • Industry Cost Structure Benchmarks:
    • Marketing
    • Depreciation
    • Profit
    • Purchases
    • Wages
    • Rent
    • Utilities
    • Other
Analysis

What trends impact cost in the Tour Operators in Europe industry?


Key Ratios

Data tables
  • IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
  • Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
  • Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
  • Average Wage (2014-2029)

Country Benchmarks

European Leaders & Laggards

Data Tables

Top and boottom five countries listed for each:

  • Revenue Growth (2024)
  • Business Growth (2024)
  • Job Growth (2024)

European Country Performance

Data Tables

Rankings available for 37 countries. Statistics ranked include:

  • IVA/Revenue (2024)
  • Imports/Demand (2024)
  • Exports/Revenue (2024)
  • Revenue per Employee (2024)
  • Wages/Revenue (2024)
  • Employees per Establishment (2024)
  • Average Wage (2024)

Structural Comparison

Data Tables

Trends in 37 countries benchmarked against trends in Europe

  • Concentration
  • Competition
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Buyer Power
  • Supplier Power
  • Volatility
  • Capital Intensity
  • Innovation
  • Life Cycle

Key Statistics

Industry Data

Data Tables

Including values and annual change:

  • Revenue (2014-2029)
  • IVA (2014-2029)
  • Establishments (2014-2029)
  • Enterprises (2014-2029)
  • Employment (2014-2029)
  • Exports (2014-2029)
  • Imports (2014-2029)
  • Wages (2014-2029)

Methodology

Where does IBISWorld source its data?

IBISWorld is a world-leading provider of business information, with reports on 5,000+ industries in Australia, New Zealand, North America, Europe and China. Our expert industry analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build an accurate picture of each industry.

Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and IBISWorld's proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights. 

IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools.

To learn more about specific data sources used by IBISWorld's analysts globally, including how industry data forecasts are produced, visit our Help Center.