Holiday Apartment Bookings Skyrocket Online in Germany
Online bookings for travel and tourism in Germany reach a staggering 60.4 million in a given period. - Online bookings for overnight stays in Germany total 60.4 million via digital platforms
Germany witnessed a notable surge in online bookings for holiday apartments, outstripping the pre-pandemic figures of 2019. The staggering figure for 2024 shows an upward trend that even surpassed the employment level of the previous year.
In 2019, a total of 37.2 million overnights via online platforms was recorded, courtesy of both domestic and international guests. Yet, in 2024, this number swelled to an astounding 60.4 million bookings! The surge is comprehensible, considering the ballooning online booking culture. The stats office reports that 95% of these overnights were with smaller providers, primarily offering holiday apartments or houses with less than ten beds. These providers often include private landlords.
The unprecedented rise in online bookings was facilitated by digital platforms, complementing official monthly tourism statistics. Traditional stats only consider establishments with at least ten beds. However, the online landscape drills down into the small-scale hospitality sector, engrossing providers who are often private homeowners.
Domestically, the growth in online bookings was substantial, witnessing a 23.6% increase to 42.1 million, compared to 2023. In contrast, the growth for international guests was relatively slower, expanding by 20.3% to 18.4 million. However, the pandemic has boosted these numbers substantially. The number of bookings by international guests saw a 33.8% jump in 2024, compared to 2019, while it soared by 78.9% for domestic guests.
Holidaymakers frequently hailed from the Netherlands, Poland, and the USA, with Bavaria being the most sought-after destination, closely followed by Baden-Württemberg, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Lower Saxony. Meanwhile, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern recognized a remarkable 92.9% domestic presence, with Berlin acclaimed as the Mecca for international tourists.
A Glimpse at Online Platforms
- Online Platforms
- Overnight Stay
- Germany
- Tourism
- Holiday Apartment
- Wiesbaden
- Federal Statistical Office
- Airbnb
- Booking.com
- TripAdvisor
- Expedia
- Coronavirus Pandemic
Shaping the Future of Tourism
Although specific figures for the increase in online bookings for holiday apartments in Germany compared to pre-pandemic levels are not readily available, examination of broader tourism trends can offer some insight. In 2024, overall holiday travel in Germany registered a growth of 4.62%, and a 3.70% rise in holiday travelers[5]. This positive shift in tourism might incline the holiday apartment booking industry as well.
The traveler community is progressively gravitating towards online booking platforms, making a mark on Germany as well. Top candidates for international guests typically originate from neighboring European countries and other regions, owing to Germany's allure of historical, cultural, and economic attractions.
The worldwide vacation rental market has also made a noticeable jump, worth $56.191 billion in 2024[1]. Projections indicate that this market will continue thriving, reaching $621.99 million in 2025[4]. These tendencies underscore a rising demand for vacation rentals - a trend that may very well impact the holiday apartment bookings in Germany.
Lastly, Booking.com, a prominent player in the online booking scene, recorded a surging interest in 2025, receiving over 500 million visits in January and March[2]. This high engagement with online booking platforms accentuates tourists' penchant for leveraging digital platforms for accommodation options.
References:[1] Mordor Intelligence Report[2] Statista.com/statistics[3] Federal Statistical Office of Germany (Destatis).[4] Grand View Research[5] Eurostat Data.
- As the popularity of online booking platforms grows, Germany's community policy may need to address the increasing competitiveness within the holiday apartment sector, ensuring fair practices and a level playing field for both large and small providers.
- The surge in online bookings for holiday apartments, particularly among international tourists, indicates a shift in travel lifestyle, favoring flexible and authentic accommodations over traditional hotels. Thiscompetitiveness in the sector could lead to innovations catering to the demand for unique travel experiences in the future.
