The consequences of the corona pandemic on the travel industry are largely a thing of the past. Many people’s desire to travel is increasing. That’s why the travel industry is looking to the future with confidence.
Millions of Germans have travel fever
Despite inflation, threatening wars and the economic downturn, millions of Germans have been seized by the desire to travel. Around 63 percent of all Germans are planning a trip lasting at least five days. This number comes from a current tourism analysis by the BAT Foundation for Future Questions. Compared to the previous year, the proportion of people who enjoy traveling increased by three percentage points.
The tourism industry is pleased about constantly increasing booking sales.
In return, there are many people in this country who do not want to afford vacation trips or simply cannot afford them.
Uncertain travel plans for many Germans
A full 18 percent of all respondents said they did not want to travel this year. In addition, 19 percent of all survey participants were not yet sure whether they wanted to travel or not. The representative study was carried out by the GfK Institute in December 2023 and January 2024. 3,000 test subjects aged 18 and over took part in the online study.
Make your travel dreams come true
As representatives of the foundation emphasized, the numbers illustrate that more and more German citizens want to make their dreams come true despite ongoing uncertainties. When choosing travel destinations, it is noticeable that more and more globetrotters are choosing foreign holiday destinations.
Nevertheless, Germany will still be the most popular travel destination in 2024.
Despite personal challenges and inflation, travel is once again an important part of many people’s everyday lives this year.
Longing to travel to other countries
According to the study, Germans are increasingly longing to travel to other countries. In 2023, Germany was the most popular and frequent travel destination for Germans with a market share of 37 percent. This year, 28 percent of all test subjects confirmed that their biggest vacation trip was within the country. In addition, 39 percent of all respondents said that they would like to conquer European destinations this year. Another 16 percent, however, are planning a long-distance trip.
These long-distance trips are almost back to the same level as before the corona pandemic – although flight costs have increased. Countries in the Far East are particularly popular. But all other destinations outside Europe were also able to gain ground.
Good news for travel agencies and tour operators
The increasing desire to travel naturally benefits tour operators and travel agencies. According to information from the analysis company TDA, globetrotters had already booked package and individual trips worth around 3.6 billion euros for the upcoming summer season by the end of December 2023.
These sales are therefore significantly higher than in the previous year’s periods.
In the same period last year, a value of 2.4 billion euros was achieved. Before the corona pandemic in 2019, revenues amounted to 3.3 billion euros.
Great interest in early bookings
Tourism experts have long since recognized that early booking is in keeping with the times. Representatives of the tourism industry are confident that most Germans want to travel more, even in economically uncertain times.
Early bird discounts are particularly attractive and are valid for most bookings until the end of February or the end of March. Current figures show that the volume of new bookings for the first two weeks of January was able to match the previous year’s level. Experience shows that January and February are the main booking months for the upcoming summer season.
Financial problems in many households
Nevertheless, the number of travelers is at a lower level than before the pandemic. 14 percent would still have to be made up for the current winter season and 15 percent for the summer season. This low number of customers booking across all seasons clearly indicates that not every household can or wants to afford an organized holiday trip. This is primarily due to increased living costs.
Nevertheless, the holiday travel business achieves above-average values in direct comparison to the general consumer climate.
Other strategies for fulfilling travel wishes
Since the end of the corona pandemic, tour operators and travel agencies have referred to a normal tourism and travel year for the 2022/23 season for the first time. If analyzes by economists are to be believed, many people save on their everyday expenses. But most Germans don’t want to miss out on a vacation trip.
2024-04-04 04:32:47