Germans are ready for vacation – but many save when travelling

After the Corona years, the Germans are ready for vacation - but they have to save. In a study by the ADAC, 32 percent of the approximately 5,000 respondents reported an increased need for vacation compared to the previous year. It has only fallen at six percent. However, money could become a problem for many people who want to travel, because 24 percent of those surveyed also said that they would spend less money on a trip or would do without it altogether.

As recently as 2021, only eleven percent had reported a falling budget. Here, however, the comparison with the first Corona year 2020 could have influenced the result, in which many trips were cancelled. However, 38 percent of respondents said they expect their financial situation to deteriorate somewhat or significantly this year.

Those who have less money available in 2023 want to travel cheaper in 31 percent of cases and accept compromises in comfort. 20 percent of people with a reduced budget want to travel less or for a shorter time, and 17 percent even want to forego a trip altogether. However, 23 percent will also have a larger budget and 51 percent will have about the same amount of money for the vacation. According to the survey, the larger budgets should flow primarily into more comfort and more frequent or longer trips.

On the other hand, only a few travelers want to spend money on more sustainability. Only about five to ten percent said it was very likely that they would be willing to pay five to ten percent more for sustainable offers such as organically produced food or fair working conditions.

Overall, sustainability only plays a subordinate role for travelers when choosing their vacation. The only exception: An intact nature at the destination was the second most important criterion for the respondents here after a safe and uncomplicated journey.

The Tourist Club's President of Tourism, Karlheinz Jungbeck, expressed his disappointment at the low priority given to sustainability and the lack of willingness to pay more for it. However, since sustainability costs money and providers are often not able to invest, Jungbeck emphasized the importance of state aid. Here he has an eye on EU funds in particular. However, these are often not retrieved well enough from Germany, he criticized.

According to the study, many travelers will stay in Germany again this year. 63 percent named Germany as a likely destination for a trip. Before Corona, this value was significantly lower at 45 percent. This is followed by other European countries with 57 percent as this year's target. 20 percent of travelers should go further afield. Multiple entries were possible in the ADAC study.