Easter 2026 confirms a major market shift: travelers are no longer simply choosing a destination, but an experience. The data shared by Civitatis clearly illustrates this change, with direct implications for travel agencies and tour operators.
Summary
A dual trend: Southern Europe and local tourism
According to the press release published on March 25, 2026, two dynamics are shaping Easter 2026 bookings. On the one hand, Southern Europe remains dominant. Spain accounts for nearly a quarter of bookings, followed by Italy and Portugal.
On the other hand, domestic tourism is growing strongly. France is positioned in second place, driven in particular by Paris, which is establishing itself as a leading destination on a global scale.
Belgium and the United Kingdom complement this dynamic, confirming the return of accessible and quick-to-organize city breaks.
According to the specialized press, this evolution reflects a transformation in the behavior of travelers: the destination becomes secondary to the experience lived.
The experience becomes the heart of the tourism product
What I see here is a change in logic. The activity is no longer a supplement, but the entry point to the journey.
Civitatis highlights several emblematic experiences that shape demand:
In Seville, a flamenco show offers a powerful cultural immersion. In Rome, traditional cooking workshops provide a participatory and authentic experience. In Porto, a cruise on the six bridges of the Douro River offers a visually stunning and soothing experience.
In Paris, the panoramic dinner cruise on the Seine remains a highly successful premium product. A guided tour of Bruges combined with a boat trip on its canals appeals to visitors seeking a more relaxed experience. Finally, in London, the Harry Potter Studios confirm their status as a must-see attraction for families.
According to the specialized press, this rise in the power of the experience is profoundly transforming the way tourism offers are conceived.
The expert's perspective
“ The data from spring 2026 highlights a revealing double trend. On the one hand, the absolute quest for sunshine , with Spain, and more specifically Seville, dominating the scene. On the other hand, a real resurgence of interest in local tourism: Paris and Bruges are the big stars this season. What we at Civitatis are observing is that the concept of ‘travel’ has changed. People no longer necessarily go far, but they travel to have a powerful experience. Whether it’s sailing on the Seine or exploring the Andalusian streets, activity has become the true driving force of the holiday. ”
– Georges Sans, spokesperson for Civitatis.
A concrete lever for agencies
In my opinion, the opportunity is clear: to structure the offering around powerful experiences.
Travel agencies can capitalize on this trend by offering packaged city breaks that include transportation, accommodation, and activities. This type of product is particularly well-suited to last-minute bookings and short stays.
Another important lever is segmentation. Couples, families, and urban dwellers are not looking for the same experiences, but all expect concrete and differentiating content.
With more than 90,000 activities offered in 4,200 destinations, Civitatis stands out as a structuring tool to enrich offers and increase the average spend.
Key takeaways for tourism professionals
Easter 2026 confirms the rise of experiential tourism. Southern Europe remains dominant, but local tourism is growing rapidly. Activities are becoming the core of the tourism product. For agencies, the challenge is to structure offerings around concrete, distinctive, and easily marketable experiences.
Why this trend is a real game changer
Let me be direct: not integrating activities into your offering today means missing out on an essential part of the market.
What the Civitatis data shows is that the tourism product has shifted. It is no longer solely about transport or accommodation, but about what the customer will experience on site.
And for agencies, it's a powerful lever to create value, differentiate themselves, and improve conversion.
In short
- Easter 2026 confirms the rise of experiential tourism.
- Spain, Italy and Portugal dominate bookings.
- France rises to second place thanks to domestic tourism.
- City breaks in Europe are gaining in importance.
- Activities become the heart of the tourism product.
- Civitatis offers more than 90,000 activities in 4,200 destinations.
- Agencies need to structure their offerings around concrete experiences.
Sources
👉 Access all our tourism reports, statistics and analyses on Tourisme Stats.
➡️ Check out our full report on B2B Tourism to discover the key trends, figures and strategies for 2026.
👉 Access the Iran War Radar from InfosTourisme https://infostourisme.com/radar-guerre-iran A centralized page, continuously updated, to understand concretely what the situation changes for your sales, your customers and your operations.
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