Vienna and Krakow Surge in Popularity as Israeli Winter Travel Shifts
Israeli winter travel trends show a surge in bookings for Vienna, Krakow, and London, while Madrid sees a decline. Alice CEO points to changing preferences and security considerations.
This winter, Israeli travelers are shifting their European holiday preferences, favoring new hotspots while steering away from traditional favorites, according to booking data from the flight and hotel platform Alice. Comparing bookings to the same period last year, Vienna has emerged as the clear frontrunner for the winter season.
Bookings for the Austrian capital surged by 2.5 times compared to last winter, with demand among couples almost tripling. According to Alice, Vienna's romantic winter charm, Christmas markets, and cultural offerings are driving this unprecedented growth. Krakow, Poland, also doubled its bookings, appealing to travelers seeking a city break combined with a snowy day trip to Zakopane.
London has staged a strong comeback with nearly double the reservations, particularly among families and couples. Meanwhile, Bucharest saw a 50 percent increase in demand, fueled by affordable prices, shopping, and spa getaways. Porto and Tirana also experienced slight upticks, though from a smaller baseline.
Conversely, Madrid saw a 30 percent decline in bookings. Demand remained stable in Budapest, Warsaw, and Amsterdam, while cities like Athens and Tbilisi showed steady, routine growth without sharp spikes. Alice CEO Ravit Khloud noted that travel patterns are also shaped by security considerations, with tourists actively seeking destinations that offer a greater sense of comfort and safety.
