International tourist arrivals in Europe rose by 3% this summer compared with the same period last year, according to the European Travel Commission's third-quarter report released on 5 November.

Four in five reporting destinations saw growth, but the strongest gains came from smaller markets rather than the continent's biggest holiday destinations. Malta recorded an 18% rise in arrivals, Slovakia 15%, Ireland 13% and Poland 11%, while Romania and Montenegro each grew by 10%.

The big three grew far more slowly. Spain rose 5%, France 3% and Italy just 1%. Cyprus was the exception among the larger markets, falling 7%, which the report linked to Middle East-related flight disruption and a drone incident that raised safety concerns.

Northern Europe leads the regions

Northern Europe recorded the strongest regional performance, with overnight stays up 7.2% and arrivals up 6.2%. The report found that smaller and value-for-money destinations led growth, although from a lower base than the established holiday markets.

The outlook carries a note of caution. Half of the tourism professionals surveyed named rising costs as their main worry, and the report warns that geopolitical risks, economic uncertainty and climate-related disruption will continue to shape demand into the winter.

The figures were published a day after the European Commission presented its Sustainable Tourism Strategy, which aims to spread visitors more evenly through the year and reduce the strain of peak-season crowding. The gap between the quietest quarter and the peak summer quarter is expected to narrow from an average of 22.5% in 2010-15 to 20.4% in 2027.