Foundation for Future Studies presents 37th German Tourism Analysis 

• Only about one in three German citizens traveled in 2020.
• 50 percent of German citizens did not miss traveling.
• 70 percent criticize the selfishness of travelers.
• More than half of all travelers chose domestic holiday destinations.
• Austria's most popular foreign destination
• Long-distance travel market suffers historic slump
• Travel time decreases significantly.
• Travel costs in Germany are higher than in Europe
• Over three-quarters expect continued uncertainty regarding travel.
• Vacation wish: Preferably with family and friends

These key findings come from the 37th German Tourism Analysis by the BAT Foundation for Future Issues, for which a representative cross-section of the German population of over 3,000 people aged 18 and over was surveyed in December 2020 and January 2021 about their own travel behavior in 2020, their holiday intentions for 2021 and their expectations for the future of the tourism industry.

Travel summary: Corona changed (almost) everything

The effects of the global coronavirus pandemic shaped the past year's travel landscape. Only 37 percent of German citizens – roughly 40 percent fewer than in 2019 – traveled for at least five days in 2020. Such a decline is unprecedented in the modern history of travel; even during the Gulf Wars, the September 11 terrorist attacks, or the economic and financial crisis, the majority of German citizens always traveled.

For about half of Germans, staying home was less restrictive than expected when it came to vacations; they even said they hadn't really missed traveling. Those who did go on vacation during the pandemic, however, met with little understanding from the general public. Seventy percent of citizens considered it simply selfish behavior, demonstrating that vacationers don't think about the common good.

Professor Dr. Ulrich Reinhardt, Scientific Director of the BAT Foundation: „Lockdowns, travel warnings and accommodation bans have changed travel. German citizens are showing themselves to be crisis-aware and pragmatic. Instead of traveling, they mostly stayed home in 2020 – partly by necessity, but also partly due to the great uncertainty and fear of infection.“

Domestic travel destinations 2020: Holidays close to home

Over half of all holiday trips in 2020 took place within Germany – the highest number since the 1970s. However, the total number of travelers was lower, so the number of arrivals in Germany remained roughly the same. Looking solely at market share, the proportion of domestic travelers increased by over 20 percentage points compared to the previous year, reaching 56 percent. Bavaria, Lower Saxony, and Baden-Württemberg each roughly doubled their market share.

Besides the traditional holiday destinations in the north and south of the country, other holiday regions were also frequently visited in 2020. For example, twice as many Germans spent their main holiday in Rhineland-Palatinate, North Rhine-Westphalia, or Saxony as in Turkey. Brandenburg had more holidaymakers than Croatia, and Hamburg had as many visitors as the whole of France.

European travel destinations 2020: Austria takes top spot

For the first time in about 50 years, Austria was once again the most popular foreign travel destination for German citizens. Just as in the early 1970s, Italy and Spain followed in the next places.

A comparison over the past 10 years reveals a mixed picture: While air travel destinations like Spain and Turkey were only able to welcome a fraction of their usual number of guests, the decline in Italy, France, and Croatia was not quite as severe. A key reason for this was the possibility of reaching these holiday regions by car, as well as varying travel warnings.

Contrary to the general trend, Scandinavia, Poland, Austria, the Benelux countries, and Greece were able to increase their market share among German tourists – albeit at a lower overall level. The main reasons for this were the relatively short travel time and a perceived lower level of uncertainty.

The figure for Greece can also be explained by the special situation ten years ago: in 2010 the Greek crisis led to a massive drop in tourist numbers, which were significantly below the level of previous years.

Long-distance travel 2020: Hardly any holidays outside Europe

Following the record year of 2019, the long-haul travel market experienced an almost dramatic collapse in 2020. Only one in fifteen holidaymakers chose a destination outside Europe. Holiday trips to Africa or the Americas virtually ceased in 2020. For example, the number of German tourists traveling to the USA and Canada, as well as to Egypt and Tunisia, fell by around 80 percent in each case, and flights to the island paradises in the Caribbean were also significantly less frequent.

Reinhardt: "In a year-on-year comparison, one has to look far back to find such a low proportion of long-distance travel. The last time so few German citizens traveled outside of Europe was in the early 1990s."„

Travel duration 2020: Domestically, only about a week

Germans spent an average of less than 10 days away on their main vacation in 2020. A long-term comparison shows a reduction in vacation time of about two days per decade. For example, a vacation lasted over 18 days in the early 1980s, just over 16 days in the 1990s, almost 15 days around the turn of the millennium, and over 12 days ten years ago.

However, the average length of stay has stabilized at between 11 and 12 days over the last decade. This gives hope for longer stays in the suburbs after the end of the pandemic. Accordingly, the forecast for 2025 is: 11.5 vacation days on average.

Daily spending in 2020 compared to the previous year: Germany more expensive than Europe

Ten years ago, a day of vacation cost an average of €76. Last year, at over €100 per day, it was about a quarter more, and higher than ever before. However, the shorter travel duration reduced overall costs, so that a vacation ultimately cost significantly less at €996 than in 2019 (€1,208). This figure of just under €1,000 per person included not only accommodation, food, and transportation, but also all other expenses, from entrance fees and souvenirs to tips.

Daily costs rose particularly sharply within Germany. For the first time, at €99, they were even slightly above the average cost of a holiday abroad within Europe.

Prices also varied considerably within Europe. A day trip was cheapest in Poland, but travel in Scandinavia was also quite affordable. Spain, on the other hand, charged significantly more per day, sometimes even more than long-haul destinations.

Reinhardt: "Hoteliers and tour operators, restaurants and businesses in Germany benefited from the lack of alternatives for many holidaymakers and thus tried to compensate for the losses from other months."„

Travel forecast 2021: Between hope and fear

It is currently completely unclear when hotels will reopen, travel warnings will be lifted, and planes will take off again. It is also unclear what requirements will be necessary to travel at all – from negative COVID-19 tests and proof of vaccination to quarantine stays.

Nevertheless, almost half of German citizens are already planning to travel this year. One in five even intends to pack their bags several times. A third are still undecided and are waiting to see how things develop. Only a little less than a quarter of the population are certain they will not be traveling this year.

And over three-quarters (78%) are convinced that the feeling of uncertainty when traveling will continue to be part of the experience for the time being.

„As long as the fear of infection, illness, or even needing medical help while on vacation lingers, many Germans will travel with an uneasy feeling or simply stay home. Safety was, is, and remains the fundamental requirement for travel,“ said scientific director Professor Reinhardt.

Special survey: Travel during and after Corona

When Germans can finally travel again without hesitation, roughly three-quarters of them want to spend their holidays primarily with family and friends. They have missed being with them more than the travel itself.

Two-thirds of Germans can also imagine rediscovering shorter trips instead of taking long journeys. This could be a great opportunity for domestic destinations, and also a response to rising prices; after all, 77 percent of citizens expect vacations to be more expensive after the pandemic ends.

Looking ahead, Reinhardt notes: „Citizens are hoping for a return to normality. They long for a carefree holiday on the beach or in the mountains and finally want to be out and about again.“

Technical data of the 37th German Tourism Analysis 2021

Number and representativeness of respondents: 3,000 people aged 18 and over in Germany
Survey period: December 2020 / January 2021
Survey institute: GfK Marktforschung/Nuremberg