7 Germany, 42% plan to travel elsewhere in Europe, 20% to other continents, and 13% are still undecided. Within Europe, Spain continues to lead, followed by Italy, Scandinavia, Turkey, Greece, France, Austria, and Croatia. BAT SURVEY Germans are travelling more than they have in 20 years and travel spending reaches new record levels. HOLGER M. JACOBS GETTY IMAGES/ISTOCKPHOTO Having a good time at the beach: Germans enthusiasm for travel remains unbroken. According to a recent survey by the BAT Foundation for Future Studies, 64% of Germans took at least one trip lasting five days or more last year a 1% increase over 2024 and the highest level since 2006 (65%), an exceptional year due to the FIFA World Cup. Even in uncertain times, holidays remain one of the most popular forms of happiness, says Ulrich Reinhardt, the foundations scientific director. They are con- sciously used as a counterbalance to work pressures and global uncertainties. They serve as a kind of last refuge of self-determination, where spending is maintained even when budgets are tighter. Another record year ahead: 66% have already planned one or more vacations of at least five days. 18% are undecided, while 16% have no plans yet. Among those planning trips, 25% intend to stay within Travel spending increased notably in 2025. Germans splashed out an average of €130 per person per day on their main holiday last year a jump of €8 (6.6%) from 2024 showing that demand for quality travel remains strong despite rising costs. The total cost of the average main trip rose to €1,636, nearly €100 more than the year before. This is a significant leap, noted Ulrich Reinhardt. Germans travelling within Europe spent €128 per day, up €12. Greece (up €42 to €147) and Spain (up €34 to €143) saw the strongest increases and need to be careful not to push prices too far. In contrast, Turkey (€108, down €16) and Croatia (€97, down €28) were considerably cheaper. Croatia adopted the euro on January 1, 2023, which contributed to the decline. Trip duration has fallen significantly in four decades: from 18 days in the 1980s to 13 days today. Yet, 44% of respondents now take two or more trips per year, compared with just 18% ten years ago. SPENDING BEATS VISITOR GROWTH European destinations stayed attractive in the final months of 2025 despite rising travel costs, according to the European Travel Commissions latest quarterly report. This highlighted sustained autumn and early winter demand, with traveller spending rising faster than arrivals. Arrivals to European destinations increased by 3.2% year-onyear, while overnight stays rose by 3.1%. Importantly, while higher prices continue to shape travel decisions, growing interest in off-season trips and alternative destinations is set to support more balanced visitor flows across Europe. This year, international arrivals to Europe are forecast to rise by 6.2%, with a 9% rise in long-haul visitors thanks to more flights and easier visa processes. GETTYIMAGES Strong appetite for travel ETC TRENDS REPORT Vilnius is attracting more international visitors to Lithuania. DAY 1 3 MARCH 2026 THE ITB NEWSPAPER 60TH ANNIVERSARY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ITB BERLIN! Suddenly under fire: Destinations such as Dubai used to be perceived as safe. PIX123.DE/DAVID VASICEK ITB Berlin is celebrating its 60th anniversary with new innovative formats. But there is also space for nost #fvwkongress All information can be found here! 15. / 16. SEPTEMBER 2026 PENTAHOTEL LEIPZIG Your Gateway to Global Travel Insight Join as Partner, Sponsor, or Attendee. Partner performed by 3 3 Dear ITB Visitor, ITB Berlin has been affected by the impacts of many international conflicts as well as natural catastrophes and not least a pandemic over the course of its 60 years. This year is no different. The attacks on Iran by the USA FVW MEDIEN/MAJ and Israel have already had many con 4 12:45 7.1A ORANGE STAGE JOSCHKA FISCHER ON GEOPOLITICS Amid the Middle East crisis, former German foreign minister Joschka Fischer discusses geopolitical shifts, the new world order and the implications for tourism. 15:35 7.1A ORANGE STAGE LEAD TOURISM INTO BALANCE Industry leaders discuss top 6 WEAK JANUARY BUT NO SLUMP German holiday bookings weakened in January against a strong previous year, the latest monthly figures from Travel Data + Analytics (TDA) showed. Although January is traditionally the strongest holiday sales month of the year, booked travel revenues for summer 2026 were 7 Germany, 42% plan to travel elsewhere in Europe, 20% to other continents, and 13% are still undecided. Within Europe, Spain continues to lead, followed by Italy, Scandinavia, Turkey, Greece, France, Austria, and Croatia. BAT SURVEY Germans are travelling more than they have in 20 years and tra 8 A step onto the big stage CONSUMER TRENDS AI TOOLS ENTER TRAVEL SEARCH More Germans are using AI tools to research travel but the technology does not play a significant role in booking travel yet, according to a survey by RTK, Germanys biggest travel agency cooperation. This found that 14% of r 9 Not only leisure travel OLIVER GRAUE The Business Lounge will be the meeting place for everyone involved in business travel on all days of the ITB. Travel managers can talk to industry colleagues here, as well as to the 18 exhibiting providers. On 3 and 4 March, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., the Home 10 Organised travel grows faster GERMAN AIRLINES CAPACITY CUTS FOR ALGARVE The Algarve, the top holiday destination in Portugal for Germans, is seeing capacity cuts as Condor withdraws and TUIfly scales back. Eurowings, however, is adding seats. Condor cites the financial viability of these route 11 The results show that Germans are still keen to travel in 2026, despite economic uncertainties. They want to travel but they want to plan well and focus clearly on value for money, safety and comfort. This is a good sign for suppliers at home and abroad, says Sören Hartmann, President of the Fe