Travel Costs are the Determining Factor

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. August 14, 2009

AUGUST 14, 2009 - The price is the decisive factor: increasingly the choice of destination is determined by the travel budget. According to the ADAC Travel Monitor, which is presented each year at ITB Berlin, in future half of all those polled want to spend less on their holidays. For 37.9 per cent of those questioned value for money is the deciding factor when choosing a destination at which to spend the best weeks of the year. This is a 2.8 per cent increase compared with last year. Savings on ancillary holiday costs are also being sought by a growing number of vacationers, the actual figure being five per cent more than in 2008.

According to Dr. Martin Buck, Director of the Competence Centre Travel and Logistics at Messe Berlin, "there is no doubt that holiday travel is one of the basic needs of people in Germany. The good news for the travel industry is that, before Germans completely renounce holiday trips during difficult economic times, they will choose a destination that is within their budget."

It is therefore obvious that the cheaper vacation countries are proving popular with German visitors. Within Europe it is Spain, with 10.6 per cent, maintaining a narrow lead over Italy, with 10 per cent. Austria is in third place with 6.8 per cent. Despite the difficult economic situation long-haul travel seems to be almost as popular as ever. Compared with last year only 0.5 per cent fewer Germans are planning a trip to far-off destinations, with the USA still occupying the top spot, thanks to a weak dollar and the positive Obama effect. To an increasing extent the price is the deciding factor for long-haul travellers too, with 28.3 per cent of those questioned looking for tour operators who are offering cheaper deals. For trips within Europe 22 per cent of travellers are seeking low-priced offers, while 15.8 per cent are on the look out for bargains on holidays in Germany.

There are savings to be made across a broad front during the coming season. "In general holiday travel will be cheaper next winter", is the forecast by Dr. Martin Buck for travel over the next six months. "All the leading tour operators have announced price cuts averaging between three and five percent, due to falling hotel rates and air fares, and these savings will be passed on to the customers."

About ITB Berlin and the ITB Berlin Convention

ITB Berlin 2010 will take place from Wednesday to Sunday, 10 to 14 March. ITB Berlin will be open to trade visitors only from Wednesday to Friday. Parallel with the trade show the ITB Berlin Convention will be held from Wednesday to Saturday, 10 to 13 March 2010. This is the world's largest specialist convention for the industry. Full details of the programme can be found at www.itb-kongress.com. ITB Berlin is the world's leading travel trade show. In 2009 a total of 11,098 companies from 187 countries exhibited their products and services to the 178,971 visitors, who included 110,857 trade visitors.