According to the ADAC Travel Monitor, which is presented each year at ITB Berlin, 37.9% of German vacationers polled said value for money is the deciding factor when choosing a destination. This is up 2.8% compared with last year. Savings on ancillary holiday costs are also being sought by a growing number of vacationers, the actual figure being 5% more than in 2008.
According to Martin Buck, director of the Competence Centre Travel and Logistics at Messe Berlin, “there is no doubt that holiday travel is one of the basic needs of people in Germany. The good news for the travel industry is that, before Germans completely renounce holiday trips during difficult economic times, they will choose a destination that is within their budget.”
It is therefore obvious that the cheaper vacation countries are proving popular with German visitors.
Within Europe it is Spain, with 10.6%, maintaining a narrow lead over Italy, with 10%. Austria is in third place with 6.8%.
The good news for the Caribbean is that despite the difficult economic situation long-haul travel seems to be almost as popular as ever. Compared with last year only 0.5% fewer Germans are planning a trip to far-off destinations. The USA still occupies the top spot, thanks to a weak dollar and the positive Obama effect.
To an increasing extent the price is the deciding factor for long-haul travellers too, with 28.3% of those questioned looking for tour operators who are offering cheaper deals. For trips within Europe 22% of travellers are seeking low-priced offers, while 15.8% are on the look out for bargains on holidays in Germany.
There are savings to be made across a broad front during the coming season. “In general holiday travel will be cheaper next winter”, is the forecast by Martin Buck for travel over the next 6 months. “All the leading tour operators have announced price cuts averaging between 3 and 5%, due to falling hotel rates and air fares, and these savings will be passed on to the customers.”