‘Fvw’ Survey: Paris Attacks Scare Off German Travelers

Photo credit: Daniel Karmann

The Paris terror attacks late last month are taking a toll on tourism with an estimated 20 percent of Germany’s holidaymakers thinking twice before setting off on their next trip, German travel magazine fvw reports.

According to a survey by market researchers GfK conducted on behalf of fvw, 20 percent of Germany’s travelers-to-be, especially families, are considering changing destinations for next year following the terrorist strikes in Paris.

The findings from a November 17-24 survey of 1,011 consumers reveal that German travelers are veering away from Muslim destinations including Egypt and Turkey, opting instead for countries such as Spain and Greece.

Approximately 8-10 percent of Germans said they would not travel to Greece and Spain as a result of the Paris hits. These destinations, however, also saw higher figures for people who would not be influenced in their travel plans, led by Spain with 50 percent and Greece at 39 percent.

Families expressed more sensitivity to the risks with 30 percent saying they would “definitely change” their travel agenda, 26 percent saying they would not travel to Egypt and 21 percent saying they would reconsider a holiday to Turkey.

At the same time however, 42 percent of those polled said they saw no reason to change their holiday preferences or planned destinations.

The October 30 Russian charter plane crash has taken a toll on tourism to Egypt, with 22 percent of Germans saying they would definitely change their plans regarding the country.

Turkey, meanwhile, is slightly behind Egypt with 18 percent claiming they would consider not traveling to the destination against 29 percent who said they would not be affected by the recent downing of a Russian fighter jet and the current travel ban imposed by Moscow.