After two years of the coronavirus pandemic, there are signs of a normalization of German holiday habits. Unlike 2020 and 2021, many German citizens are planning to travel abroad again. This is the result of a Yougov poll published last week.
According to the survey, 34 percent of 2029 respondents from Germany plan to spend their holidays within Europe, 10 percent – outside of Europe. Only 48% answered that they want to spend the main vacation in their native region or at least within the borders of Germany. Thus, the survey was representative, but only “outdoor enthusiasts” were interviewed, i.e. people who hike, cycle or otherwise enjoy the outdoors.
Yougov asked this question in March, ie. after the outbreak of hostilities in Ukraine. The previous survey a year ago showed a very different picture: at that time, almost two-thirds said they would like to spend their holidays in their home region or within the country. Accordingly, many resort regions in Germany last summer were almost completely booked.
According to the survey, the widely commented trend of the two years of the Coronavirus crisis may have become more resilient, with 24 percent of respondents saying they continue to walk or engage in other outdoor sports more often than before the start of the pandemic. On the other hand, about 15 percent of respondents actually cut back on their outdoor activities.
What’s more, the results showed that nearly one in three respondents in Germany believe they are spending more money on travel overall than they did before the pandemic. 17 percent of them named the rise in prices for fuel and energy primarily as the reason for this, 13 percent – the rise in prices for food and accommodation. But still, the majority (61% of those surveyed) said that they do not spend more money than before the pandemic, and eight percent did not provide any information.
At the same time, Germans who plan holidays abroad are willing to spend more money on a trip, but often want better customer service. In exchange for increased costs, 20 percent of all respondents expect more flexibility when changing or canceling a booking. In the event of unforeseen travel changes, 15% expect fast and accurate information as well as suitable alternatives and, if necessary, a refund. In terms of higher costs, six percent value above all better support at the destination and when booking.
In an effort to stimulate domestic tourism, the German government is introducing a €9 ticket from June. A ticket valid throughout the country for three months on buses and trains should cost only 9 euros, allowing low-budget travel across the country. The ticket is part of a government aid package responding to rising energy costs for gasoline and diesel. The authorities also want to convince German drivers to use public transport more actively.