Almost one in three German citizens is on the go

Germans are discovering the Christmas season as a second vacation time. The German appetite for travel is reaching a new peak this Christmas: almost 6 million Germans are swapping their Christmas tree at home for a holiday trip. Another 8.7 million are traveling to visit relatives. According to a recent representative survey of 2,000 people conducted by the BAT Leisure Research Institute, 30 percent of Germans will be traveling by road, rail, or air "over the Christmas holidays, between Christmas and New Year's, or at the turn of the year.".

The consequences of holiday travel: "Fully booked"„

Travel destinations will be largely booked up during the holidays. Two million Germans are limiting themselves to short trips of up to four days. An additional three million plan to travel for between five and thirteen days. And around one million travel enthusiasts intend to pack their bags for at least two weeks. This group primarily includes the self-employed and freelancers, as well as managers and senior civil servants.

Singles and couples on the way to becoming a "family"„

Most Germans still spend the holidays with their families. Besides the 70% who stay home, 18% of all German citizens use the days off between Christmas and New Year's for several days of visiting relatives. Two groups in particular escape their own four walls: singles and couples without children. One in three single people aged 25 to 49 is drawn back to their parents' house. Staying alone over Christmas is especially difficult for those living alone. And childless couples also prefer the social support of their extended family. A quarter of Germans "nestuck away" at their parents' house to experience real family life for several days. Clearly, the emotional rejuvenation found at one's parents' home is once again very appealing. 

Whether you plan to travel or stay at home, we wish all our readers a merry and relaxing Christmas and a good start to the New Year 1988.