Great potential for coach tours with overnight stays – German Institute for Tourism Research presents study

The German Institute for Tourism Research presented the results of a scientific study on the demand for coach travel in Germany at the Annual General Meeting of the Federal Association of German Bus and Coach Companies (bdo) in Berlin. In addition to looking at developments over the past few years, the researchers at FH Westküste University of Applied Sciences also addressed the question of how the industry can position itself for the future. “Buses have a clear ecological advantage – especially compared to cars. Germans also recognize this very clearly. In line with this, we also found that the majority of respondents have a positive attitude towards sustainable travel. What is missing, however, is the actual logical connection, as this criterion currently still plays a subordinate role in actual travel decisions. We need to leverage this potential,” explains Professor Dr. Bernd Eisenstein, Director of the German Institute for Tourism Research. Accordingly, the scientists recommend that the industry continue to focus on this “green” aspect in the future, but also exercise patience until it has an even more noticeable impact on travelers’ decisions. Overall, the study by the German Institute for Tourism Research shows a noticeable change in coach travel in recent years: While longer trips by coach have seen a decline in interest, the researchers’ data shows that short breaks by coach are on the rise and have not only recovered from the coronavirus pandemic, but are experiencing strong growth. The study identifies a potential of around 13 million Germans who are fundamentally interested in such a trip in the coming years. “However, this interest is more of a general nature for the majority of people,” explains Prof. Eisenstein. “It does not yet result in a specific intention to travel. It is up to companies to look closely at target groups and their needs and topics in order to create attractive and tailor-made offers.” Even though the study by the German Institute for Tourism Research answers many fundamental questions about the demand for coach travel in Germany, Prof. Eisenstein does not consider this area of research to be finished by any means: “Travel behavior and mobility research is one of the pillars of our institute’s research work. Coach travel fits in perfectly here, so we will continue to pursue this topic. For example, another of our studies shows that Germans are gradually turning away from the “glorification of mobility” that has long prevailed. It would be interesting to see how this slowly progressing change in attitudes relates to the use of individual means of transport on vacation trips – including coaches. Background The study presented here is the result of a cooperative research project conducted by the German Institute for Tourism Research in collaboration with the bdo and KRAVAG-LOGISTIC Versicherungs-AG. The aim of the project was to compile key data on the existing demand for coach travel and the potential in the coach travel market in Germany and to make this available to companies in the German coach travel market. Selected results are compiled in the brochure “Bus travel – an overview of bus travel demand in Germany”.

The brochure and further information on the project are available to all interested parties free of charge. If you have any questions about the study, please contact Manon Krüger at DI Tourismusforschung.