A recent survey conducted by the Bitget platform among over 3,000 cryptocurrency users in Europe showed a marked increase in interest in using digital assets to pay for travel. Surprisingly, 85.32% of respondents have already used cryptocurrencies to book a holiday or are seriously considering doing so. This indicates a fundamental shift in consumer behaviour and the growing appeal of digital currencies in the tourism industry.
The most popular areas for the use of digital assets are daily expenses, housing and transportation. The distribution is as follows:
- 58.86% - daily expenses
- 58.59% - accommodation payment
- 55.15% - transport
These data show that cryptocurrencies are not only perceived as an investment asset, but also as a real means of daily payment while travelling.
Advantages of cryptocurrencies from the users’ perspective
The survey participants highlighted several attractive factors: the possibility to avoid currency exchange fees, the speed of transactions, privacy and anonymity, as well as interest in new technologies. In Germany and Poland, privacy is particularly appreciated, while in Italy, the focus on technological innovations prevails.
Generational differences
Interesting differences between age groups are recorded. Generation Z is more attracted to low transfer fees, while Generation X values loyalty programmes and the ability to pay for services in remote areas. This shows that the motivation to use cryptocurrencies depends not only on region, but also on age.
Despite the high interest, there are still significant barriers. More than half of the respondents reported the low level of acceptance of cryptocurrencies by tourism service providers. A substantial share is concerned about price volatility. In some countries, regulatory and security issues are also a concern.
To simplify payments and reduce risks, users often choose stable digital assets. Stablecoins lead the way due to their stable exchange rate, while Bitcoin remains popular due to improvements in speed and transaction costs.
Most survey participants believe that paying for travel in cryptocurrencies will become easier in the coming years. According to Bitget's CEO, users are looking not only for investment opportunities, but also for scenarios of concrete use of digital assets. The development of payment infrastructures and solutions brings closer the time when cryptocurrencies will become an integral part of everyday life.
Results and Outlook
The results of the study show that cryptocurrencies are gradually moving out of the purely speculative sphere and into the travel industry. This shift suggests that digital assets are becoming a practical financial tool for everyday transactions, and not just an investment asset class. To facilitate its mass adoption, issues of availability, merchant acceptance, transaction security and regulatory clarity need to be addressed.
Tackling these factors will help remove barriers for both travellers and service providers. With active corporate support, integration into booking platforms and a favourable attitude from governments, 'crypto travel' could become the norm in the coming years, offering travellers faster, cheaper and more convenient payment options worldwide.
