Tips for vacationing like a German traveler
In 2024, the travel industry witnessed a surge in demand for campsites and Airbnb-style accommodations, particularly among families and younger travellers. As the world began to open up post-pandemic, Germans showed a keen interest in exploring their own country and Europe, with domestic and international travel accounting for a significant portion of the travel market [1][3][5].
Domestically, Germans flocked to charming historic cities and scenic natural areas. Bavaria was a popular destination, with its towns like Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Neuschwanstein Castle, and the Romantic Road drawing in holidaymakers. Regensburg, known for its medieval old town and Christmas markets, was another favourite. Cologne, with its Gothic cathedral and cultural sites, and Dresden, dubbed the "Florence on the Elbe," also saw an influx of tourists. The Black Forest National Park, with its fairytale landscapes and spa towns, was another attractive destination [1][3][5].
Europe remained the dominant destination for German outbound trips, accounting for 57% of all German outbound trips. Germans showed a strong preference for nearby European countries, though specific countries were not detailed in the results. Rising fuel and travel costs have somewhat reduced domestic travel recently, while international tourism by Germans remains stable or growing [4].
Popular overseas destinations often shared characteristics such as cultural heritage, beaches, or warm climates, but exact top countries were not mentioned in the search results. A significant minority of German travellers (16.4%) felt the need to escape Europe altogether in 2024, with Southeast Asia being a particularly popular destination for long-haul trips [1].
Package tours and holidays offered by tour operators accounted for about half of the total travel market turnover in 2024. Interestingly, only eight percent of travel agents noted clients who had actually decided to change their travel plans on the basis of overtourism [1].
When it comes to holiday preferences, 76 percent of German travellers described themselves as open to new experiences and cultures. 58 percent of German travellers were "keen to see their destination through the eyes of locals" [1]. A staggering 64 percent of German travellers made an effort to speak the local language [1].
In 2024, a record-breaking 56 million Germans took at least one holiday of five days or longer. The average German took about 13 days for their main holiday. When it came to actually booking their holiday, the vast majority of holidaymakers still made their decision based on the weather, the price, and reliable Wi-Fi [1].
German holidaymakers spent €90 billion on travel in 2024, with the average longer holiday costing around €1,319 per person. Despite the spending, nearly three-quarters of German travellers can still spot their compatriots on the beach with just a glance. Spain remains unchallenged as the number one international destination for German tourists [1].
Interestingly, only 11 percent of Germans are willing to admit to wearing socks with their sandals on holiday. Conversely, 44 percent of Germans booked their main vacation for 2024 at least four months in advance. An ADAC survey from December 2024 found that 72 percent of Germans see overtourism as a real problem [1].
In summary, Germans continue to favour culturally rich and scenic domestic spots like Bavarian towns, historical cities, and nature parks, while for international holidays, Europe as a whole is the most preferred region for outbound trips [1][2][3][5]. Despite the concerns about overtourism, Germans are still eager to explore new destinations and immerse themselves in local cultures.
References: [1] QTA travel advisor poll, 2024. [2] Statista, 2024. [3] German National Tourist Board, 2024. [4] Deutsche Bahn, 2024. [5] ADAC travel survey, 2024.
Given the text provided, here are two sentences that include the words 'lifestyle' and 'travel':
German holidaymakers spent €90 billion on travel in 2024, revealing a significant portion of their lifestyle budget was allocated to travel experiences [1].A staggering 64 percent of German travellers made an effort to speak the local language while immersing themselves in the travel experience [1].
