European travel in 2026: Europe remains a global anchor for cultural, culinary and journey-based travel
The Mastercard Economics Institute (MEI) released its annual Travel Trends Report 2026 of global consumer travel-related spending insights. Drawing on a unique analysis of aggregated and anonymized transaction data and third-party data sources, the report uncovers what is shaping travel choices today amid ongoing economic and geopolitical uncertainty. Europe’s travel story reflects a broader global shift in how people travel in this environment: travellers are adapting and reallocating where they go, how they get there, and what they prioritize.