Foundation for Future Studies presents 34th German Tourism Analysis 

Travel balance 2017: More and more long-haul trips

Never before in the history of travelling have so many Germans taken a long-distance trip as in the past twelve months. At the same time, the average duration of trips and holiday costs also increased, reaching a new high. These are the findings of the 34th German Tourism Analysis conducted by the BAT FOUNDATION FOR FUTURE QUESTIONS, for which a representative cross-section of the German population of over 3,000 people aged 14 and over were asked about their own travel behaviour in face-to-face interviews.

Highest travel intensity in the last ten years: almost three in five people travelled in 2017

Compared to previous years, the travel intensity increased once again to a total of 58 per cent. The 35 to 54-year-olds were the most keen to travel, with 63 per cent of them taking a holiday trip of at least five days. However, the travel intensity of this age group fell by two percentage points compared to the previous year. In contrast, significantly more young Germans under the age of 35 travelled (2017: 61%; 2016: 57%).

Germany remains the most popular travel destination: Bavaria is the winner in 2017

German holiday regions were by far the most popular destinations in the 2017 travel season, with more than one in three travellers (34%) spending their main holiday between the coasts in the north and the mountains in the south. Within the German holiday regions, the Bavarian holiday destinations regained their top position and are once again the most popular German holiday region (9%). However, the coast and lake district in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania also recorded a further increase in visitors (7.5%). The figures in Schleswig-Holstein and Lower Saxony remained at the same level as the previous year, while fewer German citizens spent their main holiday in Baden-Württemberg.

Destinations abroad in 2017: long-distance travel increasingly popular

In Europe, Spanish holiday destinations were once again the most popular among German citizens. Around one in seven travellers spent their holiday on the Balearic Islands, Canary Islands or the Spanish mainland. Nevertheless, Spain, Italy and Austria fell slightly in holidaymakers' favour. Turkey recorded a further significant decline in guest numbers (2016: 4.4%, 2017: 3.6%), meaning that the previous highs are now a distant memory.

The winners of the 2017 travel season are long-haul holidays: Never before have more German citizens been on holiday outside Europe (13%). Destinations in the Caribbean (e.g. Cuba) and the Middle East (e.g. Dubai) as well as destinations in North Africa (e.g. Egypt), which have bottomed out and welcomed more German holidaymakers again, benefited in particular. However, the strongest growth can be seen in South and East Asian destinations - from China and Thailand to Indonesia, Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

Travelling time at 10-year high: travel costs reach new peak

On average, German citizens spent 13 days travelling on their main holiday. This was the fourth time in a row that the duration of holidays increased slightly. Younger travellers and childless couples spent particularly long on holiday.
Holiday costs rose in parallel with more long-distance trips and longer stays. At an average of almost EUR 1,200, a new high was reached.
If the total costs are divided by the number of days spent on site, it can be seen that a day's holiday in Germany at EUR 77 was significantly cheaper than, for example, a day in Spain or Austria at EUR 95 each. Long-distance holidays were even more expensive, with an average of EUR 115 per day.

Travel forecast 2018: New record on the horizon

The number of holidaymakers is set to increase in many destinations in 2018. Almost every second German citizen is already certain that they will be travelling this year and is planning their holiday.
In contrast, only around one in six people already know that they will not be travelling in the next twelve months. 37 per cent are currently still unsure whether they will travel at all or are undecided about where they will spend their holiday this year.
The trend in 2018 is once again towards long-distance travel, but German holiday destinations can also look forward to fully booked hotels, guesthouses, holiday flats and campsites.

Summary of the 34th German Tourism Analysis
by Professor Dr Ulrich Reinhardt, Scientific Director of the Foundation

„More financial opportunities but also less fear characterised the past travel season. The German travel champions returned and travelled more often and for longer, chose more distant destinations and were prepared to spend more money on their holidays. The 2018 travel year promises further growth, although the choice of destination will continue to depend on the local security situation. However, one thing is already certain: in 2018, people would rather cut back on their everyday lives than spend the best weeks of the year at home.“

Technical data of the 34th German Tourism Analysis

Number and representation of respondents: 3,000 people aged 14 and over in Germany
Survey period: December 2017 / January 2018
Survey institute: GfK Marktforschung/Nuremberg