ITB Berlin: Germans Picking Greece this Summer 

Greece is a favorite destination for Germans planning to travel this summer, who are also picking Spain, Portugal and Italy, according to news released this week by ITB Berlin.

According to the Mobility Market Outlook (MMO) carried out by data services provider Statista, Greece, Spain, Portugal, and Italy are among the most popular destinations and high on German holidaymakers’ wish lists. 

At the same time, the MMO forecasts that the global travel industry will grow by 48 percent, reaching 637 billion dollars in 2022 and in 2023 will exceed pre-Covid levels by around 5 percent, reaching almost 756 billion dollars. This means airlines can expect record business this summer.

According to the same findings, 2022 is set to see the highest growth rate for the cruise industry (up by 180 percent year-on-year) and the hotel sector (by 57 percent), which is expected to outdo private accommodation and holiday apartments as well as package tours. The MMO predicts that the market for private accommodation and holiday apartments will exceed 81 billion dollars in total turnover, only 2 percent short of pre-pandemic 2019 market volume.

ITB Berlin concludes that “things are looking up… Ultimately, the tourism industry can expect business to return during the summer, and in some markets and at some destinations it will already reach pre-pandemic levels,” it said.

Based on Statista’s Global Consumer Survey (GCS), more than 62 percent of Germans are planning at least one trip over the next 12 months. The five most important criteria listed by Germans for a vacation spot are the weather, nature, personal safety, local attractions and price.

At the same time, 36 percent of those polled in Germany said they want to spend more on holidays than before the pandemic, 31 percent said the same amount, and 31 percent aim to spend less. Half of respondents said they plan to spend more than 2,000 euros on themselves and, where applicable, their family, while 17 percent actually plan to spend over 3,000 euros. 

Lastly, analysts also add that the pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war are not likely to affect decision-making and destination choices or to severely impact the travel industry.

In relative news, earlier this week the European Travel Commission (ETC) said that Greece had moved up a spot and is now fourth in the Top 10 preferred countries for travel by Europeans.