Almost half of all Germans regularly pursue a personal hobby in their free time. Five years ago, only about one in three made time for an individual pastime. This increased interest in hobbies is also reflected in the question of whether Germans have rediscovered an old hobby. Since the outbreak of the pandemic, roughly one in ten has returned to an old passion.

Over the past ten years, the proportion of high earners who can afford luxury vacations has tripled. Currently, more than one in seven high-income Germans spends more than €5,000 per person on their main vacation. Luxury is booming. But why? Find out in this episode how this shift came about and what the future holds for the travel industry.

Four out of five citizens expect more flexible and individualized work options in the future. This applies to both the timing and content of their jobs and reveals a shift in traditional perceptions: away from fixed working hours and towards greater flexibility and autonomy in the workplace. But what comes after home office and flextime? Where might this journey lead?

Today's generation of children and teenagers is surrounded by a multitude of digital content – from social media and streaming services to online learning platforms. But how strong is the influence of media on children's development? And what role do the home and school still play?

Season 2, Episode 11. The results of the 40th German Tourism Analysis: Before our third season launches very soon under a new name, we're presenting the results of the 40th German Tourism Analysis! What was the travel behavior of German citizens like last year, who already has firm travel plans, and how much are Germans spending on their vacations? We're very pleased to be able to personally share the latest study results with you in the 11th episode of the second season. But what's next? We expect to return in March 2024 after a short break with a new concept and Season 3, titled "This is How Germany Ticks." We'll then provide weekly insights into the wishes, dreams, concerns, and hopes of German citizens. As always, with people at the heart of it all, and covering topics from A for work to Z for social cohesion. Studies and further information about this episode can be found here: www.tourismusanalyse.de, www.stiftungfuerzukunftsfragen.de

00:36 – Welcome/Introduction 01:00 – Results of the 39th German Tourism Analysis It's that time again – season 2 is slowly drawing to a close. But for our grand season finale, we have something very special in store for you: We're presenting the results of our 39th German Tourism Analysis! What was the travel behavior of German citizens like last year, who already has firm travel plans, and how are Germans financing their vacations in these currently challenging economic times? We're very excited to be able to personally share the latest study results with you in episode 10. But what's next? Will there be a third season? Absolutely! We expect to be back refreshed and ready to go at the end of the year after a short break.

00:36 – Welcome/Introduction to the topic 01:00 – Are "bad news" really "good news"? According to media research, negative headlines attract more attention. But why do reports about, for example, layoff figures make the front page, while reports about hiring figures don't? Don't Germans much prefer to receive positive news? And can we actually train our brains to think more positively rather than negatively? 11:30 – Is the customer still king? This week's question concerns a topic close to our hearts – namely, customer service. Human service is increasingly being replaced by digital offerings. But what does this mean for customer well-being, and what should good service actually cost? 23:50 – Sharing instead of owning: The sharing economy – this term is considered a possible answer to the issues of sustainability, community, and affordability. But what exactly is this so-called "sharing economy," and how promising is this concept? In this week's episode, we're discussing different forms of "sharing"—from car sharing and Airbnb to borrowing a drill from a neighbor and sharing knowledge in online forums. What will catch on and what won't? Look forward to another exciting episode in the new year, full of insights into our research. We hope you enjoy listening!

00:36 – Welcome/Introduction to the topic 01:00 – Optimism and confidence – Germans' goals for the new year: New Year's resolutions are a popular tradition in Germany – but what do Germans intend to do in 2023? We investigated this in our year-end survey and came across some positive results. Almost three-quarters of respondents resolved to think and act more optimistically. But why do Germans yearn for more confidence, and what other goals do they have for the new year? 09:20 – Winter vacation: Skiing – yes or no? Is traditional winter tourism a thing of the past? We received this press inquiry from Austria a few days ago. How popular is vacationing in the cold season, and where do Germans tend to go in winter: to the snow-covered mountains or to sunny sandy beaches? 20:50 – The future of 3D printing: Finally, in our topic of the week, we discuss the future of 3D printing. For over 30 years, this process has been used to manufacture small parts and other everyday objects. But what about food or even human organs? How far has this technology come today – and how far should it be allowed to go? 30:20 – What's coming, what's staying, what's going? Look forward to another exciting episode full of insights into our research. We look forward to seeing you and wish everyone a happy new year 2023!

00:36 – Welcome/Introduction to the Topic 01:10 – Citizens Want an End to Constant Optimization: Google yields more than 35 million results on the topic of "Optimize Your Life" – from nutrition and health tips to work, relationships, and leisure activities. More than two-thirds of Germans now view the trend toward continuous self-improvement critically. Will this optimization craze soon come to an end? 14:15 – The Future of Churches: This week's inquiry focuses on faith, God, and the church: In addition to taking stock of church attendance figures, the focus is on what Germans expect, what trends are emerging, and what the future of the church – between community and mediator of values – might look like. 24:00 – Christmas Reflection: Fittingly for the Advent season, our topic of the week revolves around the festival of love. Family, tradition, and children's sparkling eyes, or rather kitsch, commercialism, and stress – what do Germans truly associate with Christmas? 34:20 – What's coming, what's staying, what's going?

00:36 – Welcome/Introduction to the topic 01:00 – One in four Germans works in their free time: More and more Germans are regularly working in their spare time. Is this always voluntary, or is it increasingly simply necessary? Find out the motivations and preferred side jobs, ranging from waitressing and dog sitting to online retail, in our podcast. 08:40 – Cruises: Not just one, but two inquiries about cruises were received by our foundation this week. How will the cruise market develop in the future, and for whom is a trip on an ocean liner even an option? We provide answers to the question of why more and more guests are boarding these floating hotels and why the industry continues to gain popularity despite room for improvement regarding environmental impact. 19:40 – Dreams of old age: Finally, look forward to our topic of the week: What do Germans dream of in old age? Our society is aging – but are our wishes for the future changing as a result? Find out now. 25:55 – What's coming, what's staying, what's going?