In general, Germans go on a variety of travels both in and outside of the country. While the trip is the end goal, planning for it is considered a serious activity in itself, with travelers usually devoting time and attention to pre-holiday organizing and booking. In most cases, holiday components taken care of in advance involve booking a package or customized tour, as well as arranging accommodation. Making travel plans has changed enormously because of the internet. The rising use of various online travel websites among consumers, both for research and for bookings, has contributed to losses for traditional travel agencies. The modern traveler can often circumvent an agency entirely and plan the whole trip independently, since virtually any travel activity, tickets and accommodation can be booked online.
Travel accommodation is a vital part of the German tourist industry, with the country offering various types of places to stay for tourists and visitors. Online platforms such as Airbnb, where residential property owners can put up their apartments or houses for short-term rent, are also an option for visiting guests, thus introducing additional competition on the travel market. All the same, the travel accommodation industry had been recording encouraging annual growth levels, at least, before the pandemic. As of 2021, total revenue from tourist accommodation in the country amounted to around 20.4 billion euros.
