Germany’s resurgent economy sees its citizens keen to travel again – the latest ADAC Reisemonitor survey is upbeat about travel prospects in 2011
According to the latest representative survey by ADAC, 71.2 per cent of the population are firmly intent on booking a lengthy holiday trip next year, nearly six per cent more than in 2009. Parallel with an improving German economy, the nation’s citizens are once more eager to go on trips for several weeks at a time. Dr. Martin Buck, Director of the Competence Centre Travel & Logistics of Messe Berlin: “Backed by a resurgent economy the tourism industry is picking up speed once again. The worst of the recession is now over and German citizens are again living up to their reputation as the world’s most travelled nation. In this context two categories are emerging: in the first category the principal focus is on the choice of destination, and in the other it is the travel budget that mainly decides where holidays will take place.“
Almost 60 per cent of the members polled are planning to take a trip even before the year is out. According to the survey, holiday decisions continue to be strongly influenced by individual economics. Nevertheless, holiday travel has become a priority again, regardless of social class. Thus, 41.1 of those polled who said their economic situation was “bad to very bad” are planning to go on a holiday trip before the end of the year, over six per cent more than in 2009.
According to the ADAC survey holidaymakers are anticipating a number of price rises. More than 50 per cent of the members polled believe that package tours, hotels and cruises will become more expensive. In particular, the introduction of an air fare surcharge is expected to raise the cost of chartered flights (63.2 per cent) and scheduled flights (72 per cent). 79.1 per cent expect train fairs to rise in the future.
For Germans, their home country is by far the most popular holiday destination. More than 28 per cent of those polled are planning to take next year’s holidays somewhere between Flensburg and Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Italy as a destination ranks second (at marginally over 11 per cent), followed by Spain (at close to 10 per cent).
In July 2010 the ADAC polled approximately 4,000 of its members to find out their holiday plans for the coming months and for 2011.
