Central and Eastern Europe emerging as new frontier for travellers

Central and Eastern Europe are gaining importance in the field of economics and geopolitics, and also as important players in travel and tourism. This is both as an origin region for outbound travellers, and as a destination for travellers from around the world.

According to the World Tourism Barometer (UNWTO, May 2025), international tourist arrivals (overnight visitors) globally increased by 5% in Q1 of 2025 (compared to Q1 2024), or 3% above pre-pandemic year 2019. Over 300 million tourists travelled internationally in Q1 in 2025, about 14 million more than in the same period in 2024.

Europe welcomed 125 million international tourists in Q1 2025, up 2% from Q1 2024, and 5% more than the same period before the pandemic. Central and Eastern Europe rebounded strongly (+8% vs 2024), especially Baltic and Balkan destinations e.g. North Macedonia (+22%), Lithuania (+21%), Latvia (+16%).

The Coris Association is an organisation of independent assistance and TPA companies from different countries, including Central and Eastern Europe. We are experts in the travel industry, but we also provide assistance in other areas.

Deer on the road

ISON Care services cases in Poland and neighbouring countries for many partners from around the world. Most of them are simple cases, however, sometimes events occur that require more attention.

A tourist from Germany, while on holiday in Poland, was trampled by a deer during a bicycle trip. An ambulance took the person to hospital. The diagnosis was very serious: in addition to extensive internal injuries, numerous fractures were also found. After completing the necessary medical procedures, the insured person was transported by ambulance to the nearest airport, from where an air ambulance took him to a hospital in Germany for further treatment. The ISON Care team continuously monitored the case and arranged the necessary procedures between the Polish and German doctors and the insurer.

Winter, snowboarding and broken limbs

A tourist from Spain, on holiday with his wife and young son in Bulgaria, fell while snowboarding and injured his leg and arm. He was taken by the ski patrol to the local medical centre, but it was soon clear that he required complex leg surgery. Coris Bulgaria organised an ambulance with a nurse to transfer him to a hospital in Sofia, where the surgery was performed. His wife and son travelled with him, and we arranged hotel accommodation for them near the hospital. After the surgery, flight tickets were purchased for the family to return home. The client’s condition required an additional seat and wheelchair assistance. Throughout the process, the Coris Bulgaria assistance team stayed in close contact with the family, coordinated with the insurance company and the two medical facilities, and arranged all necessary services.

Dehydrated and exhausted pilgrim

A tourist from Poland, visiting Medugorje, Bosnia and Herzegovina, for a religious pilgrimage with his wife, collapsed during a prayer walk. The client, in his late 50s, was struggling with severe exhaustion and dehydration. Local authorities quickly called for help and the client was taken to the nearby healthcare centre. It became clear that he required further medical attention and IV hydration. Coris Serbia immediately coordinated the transfer of the client to hospital, arranging an ambulance with a nurse to accompany him. His wife was also supported by Coris, with accommodation arranged for them both at a nearby hotel. After the client’s condition stabilised, Coris Serbia organised a flight back to Poland, ensuring that the client had the necessary medical assistance during the journey, including wheelchair support and extra seating. Throughout this process, Coris Serbia’s assistance team stayed in close contact with the family, coordinated with the insurance company and worked seamlessly with the local medical teams.

Travelling around the world

We also provide services for insured people from our local markets who travel around the world. One example displayed effective handling of an exceptionally tragic case.

After a violent storm in Greece caused a restaurant roof to collapse, two Romanian citizens, a mother and her child, lost their lives and the father was seriously injured. Coris Romania acted swiftly, coordinating with the consulate to obtain all repatriation documents and ensuring urgent medical care. Repatriation is a complex, process, but Coris Romania managed every detail with precision and professionalism. This tragic incident highlights not only the complexity of international repatriation procedures, but also the dedication of the team to stand by families in difficult moments.