A declining trend in German travel, which had already begun in 2024 when the last word on revenge travel after COVID had already been said, is recorded by a new survey by the British research institute Yougov on behalf of TravelTalk.
According to the survey, more than half of the respondents (53%), out of a total of 2,005 who participated, said they did not go on vacation this summer, with only 47% traveling despite the large price increases.
The survey, which was carried out on September 12-14, 2025, showed that, in general, as the age of travelers increases, the desire for vacations decreases. While 64% of the 55+ age group did not travel at all, the corresponding figure for young people aged 18 to 24 was only 32%. However, older generations have always travelled less, as Christoph Zeh, Director of Travel and Mobility at Yougov, points out.
Mr. Zeh emphasizes that changes in demand were particularly evident in family travel, which constitutes a crucial target group for organized package holidays. Two in three families with children traveled in the summer of 2025 (67%), but a third avoided traveling during the high season altogether.
In fact, families feel particularly burdened by the increased prices, with one in five 35-44 year olds (20%) and one in four 45-54 year olds, i.e. the groups that make up the most dynamic family travel, stating that they perceive the price increases as “too big”.
Of the 934 respondents who did not skip a vacation this year despite the increased costs, 43% said they noticed significant price increases, 27% small increases and only 18% very significant increases. 9% saw no difference.
With the exception of the over-80s, who travel less, all other generations saw significant price increases on travel, with those aged 45-60 reporting “very large” increases.
In the face of rising prices, younger generations tend to shorten their summer vacations in order to save money. About 30% of those aged 18-24 said they had recently taken a short trip. If 14 days of vacation become 10 and seven days become 5, then that is not a good sign for the industry, Mr. Zeh emphasizes.
