Despite a small drop in overall trips, Germany's travel sector hit historic highs in 2025. A record number of residents took long vacations - five days or more - marking a shift in how people choose to holiday.
Data from the Research Association for Holidays and Travel (FUR) shows that spending climbed sharply during last year. Even as tastes changed slightly, financial outlays reached levels never seen before. The trend reflects deeper engagement with extended getaways, even if fewer journeys were made.
That year marked a peak in German travelers embarking on vacations lasting five days or longer, counting more than 57 million individuals - surpassing previous records. Spending climbed close to 92 billion euros across those journeys, driven by cost increases and growing willingness to invest in better travel experiences. Even so, the total count of trips dropped marginally, falling just short of 68 million, even when accounting for repeat travelers.
More German Travelers Choose International over Domestic Trips
Ahead of any other nation, Germans chose their home country for longer stays - a fifth of all such journeys went there. Still, numbers dipped by about one million from last year, suggesting travelers are turning elsewhere. Most holidaymakers now head abroad, where visits climbed close to 53 million. That stretch overseas accounts for almost eight out of ten trips taken.
Longer vacations show clear global reach, standing out in comparison. Meanwhile, brief getaways - lasting no more than four days - tend to stay close to home, roughly 72 percent unfolding inside German borders. Yet this share has been slowly shrinking when measured against figures from 2019 and 2024.
Not first but still strong, Schleswig-Holstein stayed ahead among German regions in household spending. Close behind came Bavaria, trailed by Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, then Lower Saxony, with Baden-Württemberg following after. While most on that list dipped a little from last year’s figures, one stood apart - Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania held steady without slipping.
Spain held its leading position globally, outpacing both Turkey and Italy. With stronger shares emerged Greece and Austria, suggesting steady interest in Southern Europe's mix of heritage and climate. The trend reflects sustained demand, not sudden shifts.
8.6 % now represents long-distance journeys, up from 6.9%, shifting how people move across regions. Although air transport rose to 46.9%, reliance on automobiles slipped, landing at 40.2%. Despite these shifts, bus commuting stayed unchanged - still claiming 2.6%. That figure has held firm through recent changes.
Digital Tools and AI Change How People Plan Trips
Vacations now lean heavily on digital tools. In 2025, close to 58% of reservations happened online - showing how habits have shifted over time. Meanwhile, face-to-face or voice-based arrangements dropped sharply, landing at just 32.3%. Though some still prefer talking directly, most choose screens over conversations.
Notably, this year’s review brought something new - figures on how people use artificial intelligence. For one in five vacation trips, AI helped collect details or handle reservations. That level of uptake, early but clear, shows how fast tech is becoming part of choosing where to go. The shift appears quietly, yet it runs deep.
Looking Ahead to 2026 With Hope
Even with careful outlooks about economic conditions, interest in traveling stays strong among people in Germany. A look at survey results reveals 76 % of German travelers are certain they will take a vacation in 2026. While nearly half have picked where to go, one-third still consider different possibilities.
Stability in core desires - sun, warmth, rest, away from routine - keeps travel intentions firm. Given this pattern, the FUR sees a positive outlook for the present tourism period, where persistent interest should maintain upward movement across the industry.
Overall, 2025 set new highs in both traveler numbers and expenditure across Germany’s holiday sector, fueled largely by overseas trips and tech-driven planning. With 2026 now underway, continued demand for time away hints at sustained momentum ahead. Despite shifts in global trends, the appetite for breaks remains strong - shaping what comes next.
