Vacation in Germany: Coastal favorites despite rising prices!

Vacation in Germany: Coastal favorites despite rising prices!

Germans' desire to travel will continue unabated in 2025. Despite a forecast of zero growth in the German economy, the desire for vacation remains strong. According to the Hotel Association of Germany (IHA), providers expect an increase in bookings on German coasts and in the mountains. The changing travel trends, significantly influenced by the corona pandemic, have rediscovered home as a holiday region. Numerous campsites and holiday apartments were able to benefit from this trend, which underlines the attractiveness of German travel destinations.

Rising temperatures and record summers in Europe have also changed the way Germans travel. Many travelers prefer to visit cooler regions to escape the Mediterranean heat. Increasing awareness of the high costs of air travel and their carbon footprint means that over 75 percent of guests in German hotels are residents. In a recent survey, 40 percent of Germans said they had already booked their summer vacation, although many more were still undecided.

Popular travel destinations in Germany

The most popular holiday regions in Germany are traditionally the North and Baltic Seas as well as Bavaria, the Lake Constance region and the Black Forest. Interest in the low mountain ranges is also growing, which represents a boost for local providers. Ultimately, many travelers are willing to accept price increases when traveling abroad, particularly in Turkey, while Mallorca expects record numbers as it remains one of the most popular destinations.

The Holiday and Travel Research Association (FUR) has been analyzing the holiday travel behavior of German citizens for 50 years. Recent studies show that 45 percent of respondents plan to spend as much on vacation in 2024 as they did in 2023. At the same time, 17 percent are willing to spend more, while only 5 percent are looking to save. It is clear that vacation travel is the second most consumer priority after food.

Challenges and trends

A recent report highlights that 67 percent of respondents have saved in other areas of life to make travel possible. However, 43 percent of participants expressed dissatisfaction with high vacation prices in January 2024, which represents an increase of 11 percentage points compared to the previous year. The most common holiday motifs for 2025 are summer, warmth, distance from everyday life, fun, relaxation, experiencing nature and time for each other.

Although traveling abroad is preferred by the majority of Germans—76 percent of vacation trips are international—the number of domestic trips does not go unnoticed. In 2024, a level that was normal in 2019 was reached, with 16.1 million domestic trips. Schleswig-Holstein is the most popular destination here, followed by Bavaria and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.

Whether it's the popularity of package holidays, valued for their comfort and safety, or the decline in camping trips, the tourism industry in Germany is proving resilient. Over 50 percent of travelers stay in hotels, indicating a trend towards more comfortable and safer forms of vacation. Despite all the challenges, interest in travel remains strong, which opens up positive prospects for both the industry and the holidaymakers themselves.

Overall, the developments show that German holidaymakers are not only rethinking their preferences, but are also reacting to new conditions. The desire to travel is still there, and the mountains and the coasts are very popular with German travelers, while popular international destinations are not losing their appeal.

Mercury reports that campsites and holiday apartments have benefited from the rediscovery of home. At the same time lifts South Germans highlights the challenges posed by high prices that affect many travelers.