{"id":5495,"date":"2025-08-04T09:50:57","date_gmt":"2025-08-04T07:50:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.stiftungfuerzukunftsfragen.de\/?p=5495"},"modified":"2026-07-21T19:03:30","modified_gmt":"2026-07-21T17:03:30","slug":"holidays-in-2025-how-germans-travel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.stiftungfuerzukunftsfragen.de\/en\/urlaub-2025-so-reisen-die-deutschen\/","title":{"rendered":"Holidays in 2025: How Germans will be travelling"},"content":{"rendered":"

Vacation 2025: Between self-determination, bargain hunting and a guilty conscience<\/strong><\/h3>\n

A new study by the BAT Foundation for Future Issues reveals how Germany travels today \u2013 and why the biggest individualists aren't necessarily the youngest. GfK surveyed 3,000 German citizens aged 18 and over online about their booking habits. <\/em><\/p>\n

Travel is and remains a place of longing \u2013 but how, when, and with what expectations do Germans actually travel today? The latest tourism study by the BAT Foundation for Future Issues reveals a new area of tension between individualization, digital influences, and growing climate awareness. The desire for freedom and flexibility clashes with economic constraints, the influence of social media is changing travel decisions \u2013 and the 65+ generation, of all people, is proving to be the most autonomous group of vacationers.<\/p>\n

Self-made instead of a carefree package: Who books how?<\/strong><\/p>\n

The classic package holiday is losing ground. Only 29% of those surveyed still opt for a complete package including flight, hotel, and activities from a single provider \u2013 compared to 33% twenty years ago. The vast majority now plan their holidays individually or use partial packages, meaning individual services that are combined with separate bookings.<\/p>\n

Particularly noteworthy: The largest group of self-planners is not the 18- to 29-year-olds \u2013 but those over 65. 64% of seniors book their holidays entirely on their own, without a travel agency or platform. They compare offers, combine flights and accommodations independently, and increasingly rely on digital tools in the process.<\/p>\n

In contrast, the younger generation is more reserved. Only about a third of those under 30 organize their holidays entirely independently. Around a third use partial package deals \u2013 for example, to secure flights or accommodation in advance \u2013 while the remaining third sticks with the classic package tour. Professor Dr. Ulrich Reinhardt:
\n\u201e"The results contradict common stereotypes. Many consider digital natives to be particularly autonomous and tech-savvy \u2013 but when traveling, they show a surprising affinity for standardized offerings. It is the more experienced travelers who act independently and confidently \u2013 also digitally."\u201c<\/p>\n

More digital, more spontaneous \u2013 and increasingly contradictory<\/strong><\/p>\n

New developments are also emerging beyond the booking method:<\/p>\n