The famous resorts in Europe begin to lose ground. Instead of crowded beaches and explosive prices, more and more tourists choose “Children” Holidays: new, spectacular, but budget -friendly destinations. Albania, Bosnia, Tunisia or Georgia become the new stars of the season, with the best value for money-fueled by social networks, increasing economic realities, the need for peace and the desire for authenticity.
Mostar, the fairy -tale city of Bosnia and Herzegovina, an increasingly sought -after destination Photo Tourismbih Com
The overcrowded beaches of the Mediterranean are replaced by more accessible and less known alternatives, but which offer the same spectacular landscapes – without suffocating crowds. European tourists are looking more and more often “Dubs” Holiday: the cheapest destinations, which are also places that reproduce the charm of the big resorts, but with more space, peace and accessibility.
This change of direction is supported by figures: flights to Bosnia and Herzegovina increased by 284% in a single year, and Montenegro registered a jump of 164% in the number of visitors. Albania – nicknamed “New Croatie” – has attracted an increase of 61% in reservations, according to an analysis by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) in the United Kingdom, quoted by The Guardian.
phenomenon “Holiday children” Post-Covid is fueled by the influence of social networks, especially Tiktok, where escapades in unexpected destinations make thousands of views: from the slopes of Bansko, Bulgaria, as an alternative to the French Alps, to Podgorica, the capital of Montenegro, promoted as a more relaxed version of Athens or Budapest. The term “Duplicate destinations” It has already been adopted by the travel agencies who notice how the public migrates quickly from famous places to their more accessible versions.
Montenegro registered a Jump of 164% in the number of foreign visitors Photo Archive Adevăr
Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Tunisia and Georgia: Emerging destinations for smart holidays
In an era in which social networks dictate trends, a subtle but significant change occurs in tourists’ preferences. Beyond the online influence, the choice of lesser -known destinations is increasingly a response to the economic challenges of the last times. Increasing the cost of life and high rates in the summer season cause many to opt for more accessible holidays. In the traditional resorts, the prices for accommodation can double in the peak season, and the restaurants raise the rates of the seasonal menus.
More and more passengers choose to escape from the agglomeration of classic destinations, wanting authentic and quiet experiences. Studies show that almost 80% of mature tourists prefer more withdrawn areas, and young generations, although influenced by online trends, are becoming more curious to explore new and less popular places.
Albania, known as the “New Croatie” more and more often in the preferences of foreign tourists collage DMS
A study conducted by Expedite It highlights the differences between generations: 76% of Baby Boomers – those born between 1946 and 1964 – choose calmer destinations, while only 40% of young people in generation have the same preference. However, the influence of social networks cannot be ignored: 41% of young travelers are inspired by online influencers, compared to only 5% of the Baby Boomers generation.
This change in the choices of tourists, between agglomeration and authenticity, is not found only in the preferences of the Z -generation. In Albania, one of the most popular emerging destinations, 20% of tourists are under 25, and in Montenegro, this percentage reaches 13%.
The real power of social networks in influencing holiday choices
Although consecrated destinations such as Tenerife, Mallorca or Málaga continue to attract millions of visitors, the increasing interest in the Balkan regions, Caucas and North Africa signal a paradigm change in European tourism.
Destinations like Tenerife remain popular but come in competition with “holiday clones” photo
The recent data of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), analyzed by Manchester Airports Group, highlights a significant change in the preferences of European tourists. Thus, the number of flights from the United Kingdom to Azerbaijan was doubled between 2023 and 2024, and four African destinations – Tunisia, Rwanda, Morocco and Ghana – are among the largest air traffic increases during the same period.
In a market in full transformation, and on an increasingly diversified tourist map, countries such as Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Tunisia and Georgia are quickly imposed as key, accessible and extremely attractive destinations, becoming true pearls of smart holidays for travel around the world, which are just waiting to be discovered.
