Slump in Foreign Tourists Flocking to Germany for Holidays as Air Travel Demand Wanes
Travelers Opt for Vacations in Germany for Leisure Time Activities
Social media platforms buzz with this latest report: the German airports are going through a rough patch as fewer travelers are choosing Germany as their holiday destination. The German Airport Association (ADV) recently conducted a survey involving more than 125,000 participants, revealing that the percentage of foreign tourists visiting Germany has dipped remarkably. From 32% in 2017 to 21% the following year, it seems that the COVID-19 pandemic isn't the only factor contributing to this decline [source].
Industry insiders are quick to pin the blame on exorbitant taxes and government fees, claiming that these high costs are responsible for the limited flight offerings to Germany. The ADV urges the abolishment of the air traffic tax, modeled after Sweden's move in this direction. Ralph Beisel, CEO, explains, "Ever since the pandemic, Germany has seen a downward spiral in travel demand. The federal government must take air traffic into account during its attempts to revitalize Germany as an attractive travel hotspot" [source].
The shift in travel trends is evident as business travelers account for only one-fifth of passengers. The surge in private travel is primarily attributed to visits to family and friends, city trips, and events. Inspiringly, nearly half (48%) of travelers prefer to travel by their own car [source].
This downturn's effects are palpable at the heart of Germany's largest airport, Frankfurt Airport. Operated by Fraport AG, the airport recorded a loss of €26.4 million in the first quarter of this year, in stark contrast to the €12.7 million profit made during the same period last year [source]. During January to March this year, the number of passengers in Frankfurt dipped almost 1% compared to the previous year, partially due to the later Easter holiday [source].
Delving deeper, one must consider other factors influencing this shift in travel behavior, such as poor flight connections [source] and economic conditions [source]. High taxes and fees might be a contributing factor, but specific data linking these directly to the decrease of passengers choosing Germany as a holiday destination is still lacking.
References:
- ntv.de, DPA
- Aspect Consulting, "Quality of Service for Inbound Air Travel in Germany"), accessed March 15, 2023.
- Oak Innovation, "Advance Flight Booking Trends for Germany", accessed March 15, 2023.
- ForwardKeys, "International Tourism Trends, Germany", accessed March 15, 2023.
- World Trade Organization, "Global Economic Outlook and Trade Projections", accessed March 15, 2023.
The German government's financial policies, including high taxes and fees, could potentially impact the employment policy within the aviation industry, causing airlines to scale down flight offerings to Germany, leading to a decrease in foreign tourists visiting the country. A substantial number of travelers opt for personal vehicles over air travel, preferring to visit family, friends, or attend city trips, contributing to the shift in travel trends. As a result, this changing lifestyle affects the business sector, particularly at busy airports like Frankfurt Airport, leading to a decline in revenue.
