Rise in Number of Journeys
In the past year, German travel habits have shown a significant shift, with a notable increase in the number of overnight trips made by Germans. According to data from the Federal Statistical Office, the number of overnight trips reached an estimated 277 million, marking the highest value since 2012.
The majority of these trips, approximately 58%, were made by car. Trains accounted for 19%, planes for 17%, and buses and other means of transport combined for 3%. Interestingly, business trips still haven't fully recovered from the pandemic shock, with a 10% decrease compared to 2019.
Despite the drop in business travel, the total number of domestic trips made by Germans in the previous year exceeded the previous year by 11% and the pre-Corona year 2019 by 6%. This surge in travel is attributed to a combination of factors, including improved economic confidence in the service sector, sustainability-oriented transport innovations, rising passenger mobility by private cars, and enriched travel and leisure products.
The growth in intercity passenger car travel worldwide, reflecting increased leisure travel by car in Germany, is one such factor. Additionally, the increasing availability and promotion of eco-friendly transport options, such as hydrogen fuel cell buses supported by government subsidies, indicate a shift towards sustainable travel modes.
The most popular destinations for trips made by Germans in the previous year were Italy, Austria, Spain, France, and the Netherlands. The number of private trips made by Germans in the previous year also exceeded three trips per capita per year, which is the highest value since the introduction of the sample survey in 2012.
However, approximately one in five Germans did not travel at all in the previous year. This underscores the continued impact of the pandemic on travel behaviour, even as other aspects of life return to normal.
In conclusion, the increase in German private travel since 2012 is a complex phenomenon driven by a variety of factors. As the world continues to recover from the pandemic, it will be interesting to see how these trends evolve in the coming years.
[1] Source: Trends in German Travel Market
[2] Source: German Government's Hydrogen Strategy
[3] Source: World Bank Group's Transport Data
[4] Source: German National Tourist Board
- The surge in travel and leisure products in Germany has led to an increase in private car trips, contributing to the growth in intercity passenger car travel globally.
- The priority on sustainability is evident in the rise of eco-friendly travel options, such as hydrogen fuel cell buses, which are supported by government subsidies, indicative of a shift towards sustainable travel lifestyles in Germany.
