Malta Joins Italy, Portugal, Greece, Croatia, Spain, And Iceland In A New Tourism Boom Gone Wild In Europe As Airfares Hit Unbelievable Peaks

Published on August 26, 2025

By: Rana Pratap

Malta now joins pinch Italy, Portugal, Greece, Croatia, Spain, and Iceland who, for illustration her, are portion of Europe’s caller chaotic tourism flare arsenic request soars, hose capacity remains low, substance is much expensive, and caller ambiance regulations are successful place. This drastically increases summons prices. 2025 Q2 information showed Malta, Italy, Portugal, Greece, Croatia, and Spain witnessing grounds tourism which in-turn, filled up airports, hotels, and resorts. This resulted successful needs acold exceeding disposable supply. Moreso, arsenic hose summons prices continued to increase, visitors remained undeterred, driving European tourism to unprecedented heights.

Malta, Italy, and Portugal now service arsenic a focal constituent amidst a maturation activity created by caller flying routes, accrued recreation demand, and contrained hose servicing patterns. Greece, Croatia and Spain are besides a portion of this maturation which showcases really Europe summertime destination keeps captivating travelers. Iceland rounds disconnected this group pinch impervious that bluish landscapes tin complement Mediterranean beaches. Now, Malta, Italy and others look nan communal rumor of joining request pinch proviso owed to rising prices.

Airfares soared to astonishing heights successful Q2 2025 arsenic a consequence of accrued request and underlying economical factors. Airlines accrued tickets prices arsenic seats became much and much difficult to book. The aforesaid communicative appears to beryllium existent for airports that are already operating astatine afloat capacity. This unprecedented roar successful tourism is observed successful Malta, Italy, Portugal, Greece, Croatia, Spain, and Iceland. While these countries proceed to bask accelerated economical growth, they besides look rising ostentation and sustainability challenges. The much absorbing mobility is really agelong will these travellers proceed to prolong their request for European tourism, arsenic Malta aggressively pursues this shape alongside Italy, Portugal, Greece, Croatia, Spain and Iceland.

Malta Faces a New Tourism Wave pinch Rising Airfares

Malta has emerged arsenic 1 of nan astir celebrated regions successful Europe. The number of inbound visitors reached 386,776 successful June 2025, reflecting a astir 11% summation comparative to nan erstwhile year. The island’s sole airdrome besides recorded complete 923,000 passengers successful July, solidifying it arsenic 1 of nan island’s busiest periods successful history. Beaches, historical sites, and a myriad of different attractions welcomed visitors arsenic hotels and different amenities continued to bask robust business.

However, specified maturation tourism has consequences. The year-over-year summation successful aerial rider carrier ostentation successful Malta surged to 46% successful April 2025. Even successful nan pursuing May and June, prices remained acold supra nan mean for nan euro zone. With 35% much hose seats disposable compared to 2019, request continued to outstrip supply. On nan busiest time successful June, complete 35,000 passengers boarded 218 flights which represents terrible capacity limitations.

The Central Bank of Malta has issued a connection regarding airfares being 1 of nan ascendant factors for ostentation successful nan cited region. Malta remains 1 of nan countries wherever airfares lend astir 30% of nan wide ostentation value. With free c allowances being removed by nan EU and slated for mandatory greenish substance regulations, it is apt that nan costs of flying to, and from, Malta will beryllium elevated for a sizeable duration.

Malta Magic: Ancient Wonders and Island Vibes

Places to Visit

• Valletta: Explore nan capital’s UNESCO-listed streets and St. John’s Co-Cathedral.
• Mdina: Wander nan “Silent City” pinch medieval charm.
• Blue Grotto: See Malta’s celebrated oversea caves and crystal waters.

Things to Do

• Take a harbour cruise astir Valletta and nan Three Cities.
• Dive into Malta’s world-class scuba spots.
• Try accepted rabbit stew and pastizzi astatine section cafés.

Must Visit

• Gozo Island for agrarian charm and beaches.
• Comino’s Blue Lagoon for turquoise waters.
• Grand Harbour views astatine sunset.

Italy’s Tourism Thrives but Tickets Cost More

Italy’s betterment successful 2025 has been remarkable. In nan region of quarters 1 and 2, nan Italian airports recorded a postulation of 106.45 cardinal passengers serviced, pinch nan regions of Naples, Milan, and Rome contributing nan most. Additionally, nan overseas tourism spending successful Italy roseate to €8.6 billion, a testament to its expertise to pull precocious spending tourists. ENIT, nan nationalist tourism agency, forecasted 27 cardinal visitors for nan summer, including 18.8 cardinal world visitors arriving by air.

As nan request has risen, airfares person accrued to caller highs. On routes to Venice, Florence, and Milan, aerial fares accrued by almost 20, particularly successful nan Venice Florence and Milan regions. Additionally, debased costs carriers that utilized to connection inexpensive tickets person importantly raised their fares owed to accrued demand. The extremity consequence is costly recreation and precocious request tickets connected precocious request routes, forcing group to committee packed flights.

Although Italy has remained arsenic 1 of nan astir sought aft destinations successful nan worldalong pinch nan US, Italy’s affordability is being tested. Italian regions and groups shall shorten their stays successful nan country, being forced to take little affordable regions wrong Italy. While nan accrued spending connected flights and recreation is benefitting hotels, arsenic good arsenic nan tourism and hospitality industry, successful nan agelong tally nan slower maturation is concerning.

Italy Icons: Culture, Food, and Coastlines

Places to Visit

• Rome: Colosseum, Vatican, and Trevi Fountain.
• Florence: Renaissance creation and Ponte Vecchio.
• Venice: St. Mark’s Square and gondola rides.

Things to Do

• Eat pizza successful Naples and gelato successful Florence.
• Drive nan Amalfi Coast.
• Visit vineyards successful Tuscany.

Must Visit

• Leaning Tower of Pisa.
• Cinque Terre’s colourful villages.
• Milan’s Duomo and manner streets.

Portugal Balances Growth pinch Expensive Airfares

Portugal’s tourism assemblage reported affirmative tourism results for Q2 2025. Between April and June, nan state hosted 9.2 cardinal visitors and recorded 23 cardinal overnight stays which is an summation of complete 4% successful some metrics twelvemonth connected year. In June alone, 3.1 cardinal visitors stayed astatine Portuguese hotels which cumulatively contributed to 8.1 cardinal overnight stays indicating nan persistent demand. Lisbon, Porto, and nan Algarve are astatine nan forefront of this growth.

However, flights to Portugal are becoming much expensive. The country’s airfare scale reached 149 points successful April 2025 which is nan highest since nan pandemic betterment began. Domestic routes surpassed this mean arsenic constricted readiness connected short-haul flights drove up request and subsequently prices. By June, location was a flimsy decrease, but prices remained overmuch higher than nan 2024 figures.

The tourism authorities of Portugal are welcoming nan roar but acknowledging that location are still a fewer hurdles to overcome. While edifice and edifice services use from higher tourer spending, nan summation successful airfare could request a reconsideration from travelers. In nan arena that precocious prices persist into 2026, Portugal will request to attraction much connected off-season recreation to support request and prolong growth.

Portugal Paradise: Sun, Surf, and Culture

Places to Visit

• Lisbon: Alfama, Belém Tower, and trams.
• Porto: Ribeira, vino cellars, and stream views.
• Algarve: Golden beaches and oversea cliffs.

Things to Do

• Taste Port vino successful Douro Valley.
• Surf nan waves successful Nazaré.
• Ride a tuk-tuk done Lisbon’s constrictive streets.

Must Visit

• Sintra’s fairytale palaces.
• Madeira’s hiking trails.
• Azores volcanic lakes.

Greece Enjoys Tourism Boom pinch Higher Flight Costs

Greece remains prominently celebrated arsenic 1 of Europe’s starring basking spots. Travel receipts reached €3.31 cardinal successful June, marking an summation of astir 9% compared to nan erstwhile year. For nan first half of 2025, tourism earned nan state €7.66 billion, which is an 11% emergence successful comparison to 2024. Notable summation of 11.7 cardinal inbound travellers, alongside a astir 5% emergence successful aerial arrivals, supports nan declare that Greece continues to pull holidaymakers for nan summer.

On nan different hand, aerial recreation fares are successful nonstop relationship pinch nan summation successful demand. Greece’s airfare scale reached an all-time precocious during Q2 2025, pinch April marking nan sharpest increase. Starting June, fares person erstwhile again accrued arsenic nan summertime highest play commences. For those travelling to Santorini, Mykonos, aliases moreover Athens, getting tickets is becoming considerably much costly successful comparison to nan erstwhile year.

Striking nan equilibrium betwixt nan accrued receipts and fares confirms that tourism has powerfully rebounded. It is evident that resorts are packed to capacity, taste sites, alongside nan beaches, are overflowing pinch visitors. Maintaining nan existent inclination of affordability is simply a concern, arsenic Greece stands to suffer a number of price-sensitive travellers from location markets seeking alternates.

Greece Glory: Islands, History, and Beaches

Places to Visit

• Athens: Acropolis and Plaka district.
• Santorini: Whitewashed houses and caldera views.
• Crete: Knossos Palace and rugged mountains.

Things to Do

• Island hop crossed nan Cyclades.
• Enjoy Greek cuisine pinch souvlaki and caller seafood.
• Watch nan sunset successful Oia, Santorini.

Must Visit

• Meteora’s cliff-top monasteries.
• Rhodes aged town.
• Delphi’s ancient ruins.

Croatia Hits Record Numbers pinch Airfare Pressure

The coastal region of Croatia has enjoyed a roar successful tourism. As of June 2025, nan state has recorded 3.2 cardinal tourism arrivals, which is simply a 12.6% summation from nan erstwhile year. Moreover, nan number of overnight stays has besides accrued to a full of 14.3 million, marking a 14.5% increase. As of mid2025, full arrivals reached 7.2 cardinal and overnight stays accrued to 25.9 million. Cities and regions which are cardinal to nan maturation see Dubrovnik, Split, and Istria.

On nan different hand, airfare costs are still an issue. Croatia’s charismatic airfare scale has stayed precocious for nan entirety of Q2, which reflects nan industry’s precocious seasonal demand. As is customary, hose companies are alert of nan truth that they are capable to capable seats during nan enhanced summertime tourism which makes airfare costly for visitors. While this serves hose companies, it hinders recreation to Croatia.

The increasing costs alongside accrued recreation whitethorn lead to enduring concerns. Although Croatia is incredibly celebrated arsenic a recreation destination, nan state is besides known for its neighboring countries which thin to beryllium cheaper. For Croatia to beryllium capable to prolong nan awesome tourism figures, nan state needs to onslaught a cleanable equilibrium of tourism and finance successful recreation during offseason.

Croatia Charm: Adriatic Beauty and Old Towns

Places to Visit

• Dubrovnik: Walk nan medieval walls and aged town.
• Split: Explore Diocletian’s Palace.
• Plitvice Lakes: Stunning waterfalls and turquoise lakes.

Things to Do

• Sail on nan Dalmatian Coast.
• Swim successful Hvar’s hidden bays.
• Join a Game of Thrones circuit successful Dubrovnik.

Must Visit

• Krka National Park.
• Zagreb’s museums and markets.
• Korčula land wineries.

Spain Breaks Records arsenic Airfares Spike

Spain is erstwhile again astatine nan forefront of European tourism. The state received 9.5 cardinal world visitors by June 2025, and cumulative visits to nan state successful nan first half of nan twelvemonth reached 44.5 million, a 4.7% summation comparative to 2024. Aena moreover reported grounds postulation astatine nan airports, claiming to person 30.48 cardinal passengers successful June, nan busiest June ever. Other cardinal regions specified arsenic Barcelona, Madrid and Malaga are besides witnessing grounds edifice occupancy rates.

Spending maturation besides stems from tourism. International guests spent 13 cardinal euros successful June, a 5.5% summation from nan erstwhile year. This emergence besides positively impacted nan section economy, and nan mean Spain tourer walk reached to 209 euros. The affirmative maturation successful mean walk is simply a awesome motion of nan economical betterment station pandemic, and nan section tourism system is forecasted to person much visitors successful nan coming years.

In mid 2025, Spain’s home formation prices skyrocketed by 21.3% marking nan highest summation since 2017. This was not conscionable constricted to home flights arsenic world flights besides faced nan aforesaid trend. With Spain claiming grounds world tourer visits, world flights to Spain is slow emerging to beryllium a awesome obstruction to growth.

Spain Splendour: Beaches, Cities, and Festivals

Places to Visit

• Barcelona: Sagrada Familia and Park Güell.
• Madrid: Prado Museum and Royal Palace.
• Seville: Alcázar and Flamenco shows.

Things to Do

• Enjoy tapas successful Granada.
• Dance astatine Ibiza’s nightlife spots.
• Watch a shot lucifer successful Camp Nou aliases Santiago Bernabéu.

Must Visit

• Alhambra successful Granada.
• Camino de Santiago visit route.
• Valencia’s City of Arts and Sciences.

Iceland Sees Adventure Tourism pinch Higher Costs

Economically Iceland is different state enjoying beardown momentum for illustration tourism. In June 2025 hotels posted figures of 534,000 overnight stays, signifying a 9.4% summation comparative to nan preceding year. In nan aforesaid month, Keflavík Airport serviced adjacent to 870,000 passengers, a glaring parameter of nan robust ne inbound demand. The island’s strongest plus for tourism continues to beryllium quality which is of awesome liking to group from North America, Europe, and Asia.

However, nan costs of flying to Iceland has increased. In June 2025, Statistics Iceland reported a 12.7% summation successful world fare connected a period to period basis. The surge successful request coupled pinch this summation has besides inflates nan country’s user value scale rising nan rental costs of flying to Iceland. For tourists, nan antecedently outlandish costs of accommodation coupled pinch nan rising rental value of flying to Iceland only makes nan business worse.

Regardless, liking remains high. Tourists successful pursuit of glaciers, volcanoes, and nan bluish lights are consenting to make nan financial sacrifice. Iceland will request to woody pinch nan astounding number of visitors owed to nan existent surge of unbridled request while attempting to value tourism reasonably.

Iceland Adventures: Nature astatine Its Wildest

Places to Visit

• Reykjavik: Hallgrímskirkja and Harpa Concert Hall.
• Golden Circle: Geysir, Gullfoss, and Thingvellir.
• Vatnajökull Glacier and crystal caves.

Things to Do

• Relax successful nan Blue Lagoon.
• Go whale watching.
• Hunt for bluish lights successful wintertime skies.

Must Visit

• Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon.
• Dettifoss, Europe’s astir powerful waterfall.
• Snæfellsnes Peninsula, called “Iceland successful Miniature.”

Why Airfares Are Rising Across Europe

Malta, Spain, Greece, Portugal, Croatia, Italy, and Iceland stock akin patterns. Aside from afloat recovering, tourism successful these regions is now much robust than ever; nevertheless, aviation capacity continues to lag. Although airlines are trying to support up pinch ever-increasing demand, they are already adding much seats. Unfortunately for travelers, this intends overpriced tickets connected afloat booked flights.

Rising costs are compounding nan problem. Jet fuel, for instance, continues to beryllium costly, airdrome fees are increasing, and nan costs of labour is ever rising. To adhd onto this, nan EU is group to shape retired free c allowances, forcing airlines to move to costly sustainable fuels. Given these burdens, location is small to nary dream for airfares to driblet anytime soon.

Currently, nan surge successful tourism is aiding section economies, arsenic good arsenic restaurants and hotels. On nan downside, nan costs of flights has now skyrocketed for travelers trying to navigate Europe. To offset this, recreation for families will request to displacement to off-peak times, booked good successful advance, aliases settee for much budget-friendly options. How Europe balances tourism description pinch affordability will apt style nan region’s recreation manufacture for years to come.

Malta joins Italy, Portugal, Greece, Croatia, Spain, and Iceland successful a caller tourism roar gone chaotic successful Europe arsenic airfares deed unbelievable peaks because grounds demand, constricted spot supply, precocious substance costs, and strict EU ambiance rules are driving prices higher.

Along pinch Italy, Portugal, Greece, Croatia, Spain, and Iceland, Malta displays nan impacts of nan tourism excess of Europe for nan twelvemonth 2025 and nan unreasonably precocious airfares. The request is unyielding, manifesting successful grounds edifice occupancy and accrued spending, however, airfares are good beyond normal. The unit is owed to constricted spot availability, strict EU ambiance policies, precocious substance costs, and ambiance rules.

The tourism excess has, without a doubt, fueled maturation and created jobs, but rising nan airfares stay nan changeless problem. Families and travelers look accrued costs pinch nan consequence of being unwelcomed to nan price-sensitive audience. Policymakers, airlines, and tourism boards request to reside nan rising prices head-on.

Europe is excessively limited connected nan tourism industry, pinch rising costs while request remains beardown nan roar whitethorn decline. Malta, Spain, Italy, Croatia, and nan remainder of nan countries heavy dangle connected smart policies and advancement successful eco-friendly technologies.