Increase in German Travelers in 2024
In 2024, Germany experienced a significant surge in international travel, with the nation accounting for ten percent of all international trips worldwide. This marked a notable increase from previous years, reflecting improved economic stability, higher disposable incomes, and renewed interest in both leisure and business travel amid a strong global recovery.
The travel and tourism sector made a substantial contribution to Germany's economy, generating €484 billion and supporting 6.1 million jobs in 2024. This growth was evident in the total number of trips undertaken, which reached an all-time high of 277 million overnight leisure and business trips since records began in 2012.
Among the most popular international destinations for German travelers were France, the Netherlands, Austria, Italy, and Spain. France and the Netherlands accounted for eight and seven percent of all international trips, respectively, while Austria and Spain each made up 13 and 10 percent of the total. Italy was the most popular destination, accounting for 14 percent of all international trips.
The mode of transportation for these trips varied, with cars, trains, airplanes, buses, and other modes each accounting for three percent of trips. For multi-day trips, the car was the most frequently used mode of transportation, chosen for 58 percent of trips with at least one overnight stay. The train was the second most used, followed by the airplane, buses, and other modes of transportation.
Business trips also saw an increase, with 37 million trips taken in 2024, an eight percent rise compared to the previous year. However, the number of business trips remained ten percent below the 2019 level, according to Destatis.
The number of domestic trips also rose, reaching 163 million, one percent higher than the 2019 level. Multi-day trips saw a particularly strong increase, with an eleven percent rise compared to 2023 and a six percent increase compared to the pre-Corona level of 2019.
International trips saw a particularly strong increase as well, with 114 million trips abroad recorded in 2024. This represented a twelve percent rise compared to 2023 and a fifteen percent increase compared to 2019.
The growth in German outbound travel in 2024 reflects a combination of economic recovery, increased consumer confidence, and Germany’s position as a global travel powerhouse with diverse travel interests ranging from cultural experiences to nature-based tourism. The sustained investment in infrastructure and marketing further facilitated international travel growth.
In conclusion, 2024 marked a record-breaking year for German travel, with the nation experiencing a significant surge in both domestic and international trips. This growth is expected to continue as the global recovery progresses and travel restrictions ease further.
Germany's travel and lifestyle sectors flourished in 2024, with the growth evident in the rise of international trips, contributing to an all-time high of 277 million overnight leisure and business trips. The increased travel was due, in part, to a combination of economic recovery, enhanced consumer confidence, and a diverse range of travel interests that propelled Germany as a global travel powerhouse.
