Second holiday boom despite wars, crisis and climate change

Result

Many federal states are currently on their autumn holidays. Two weeks of sleeping in, no school and, if possible, leaving everyday life behind for a few days and travelling away. 29 per cent of Germans are planning to pack their bags and travel at least twice this year. Household income has a decisive influence on the frequency of travelling. While almost two thirds of high-income earners travel several times a year, only around one in ten low-income households can afford this luxury.
On the other hand, however, the importance of holidays as a whole is also evident: five years ago, only around one in seven Germans planned to travel several times a year and ten years ago only one in ten.

Reasons

The significant differences in travel behaviour between higher and lower earners can be attributed primarily to household income and existing reserves. Higher-earning households have a significantly higher income, which enables them to plan and finance holidays more frequently. In contrast, the holiday budget of low-income earners is only sufficient - if at all - for one trip per year.
The year-on-year increase in travel frequency is undoubtedly in contrast to current economic and social uncertainties such as rising fears of war, inflation concerns, climate change and austerity measures. Explaining it solely in terms of a corona-related urge to travel is not enough. Rather, it shows the longing for relaxation, the importance of travelling as a contrast to everyday life, as well as the greater importance of being on the road compared to other areas of life or purchases. The reasons mentioned here, coupled with the rising stress levels of many employees according to studies, are increasing the desire for more holidays and time off each year.

Forecast

The division in society will also become increasingly apparent when it comes to travelling: While part of the population will be travelling even more frequently in the future, the proportion of multiple holidaymakers with a low income will stagnate at best. The travel industry will (have to) react to this and offer more 1 and 2-star holidays in the future.
In the long term, all companies operating in the tourism sector can expect guest numbers to rise. The importance of travelling is too high, the interest in being on the road too great, relaxation too important and the destinations too attractive for people not to pack their bags as often as possible in the future. The economic and social conditions will undoubtedly play a major role in this, but as after every economic recession, years of economic growth and social prosperity will also be normal in the future