TI News: An information service from Office of Travel & Tourism Industries (OTTI)

October 17, 2008

GERMAN BOOKINGS TO UNITED STATES PROJECTED TO CONTINUE
TO INCREASE THROUGH THE END OF 2008

German bookings to the United States remained strong through the first half of 2008 and are projected to continue to grow for the year, according to the German Travel Trade Barometer¹, a survey sponsored by the Travel Industry Association and the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Trade reported that German bookings to the United States increased from 16 to 20 percent in the second quarter 2008 compared to 2007. Germany is projected to continue to send a growing number of visitors to the United States during the summer and the fourth quarter of 2008.

According to the trade, a positive exchange rate continues to be the primary driver behind this strong growth.

The top deterrent for travel to the United States was airfare, reflecting the high cost of jet fuel.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• For the second quarter 2008, the majority (85 percent) of the trade reported that bookings increased. Nearly one quarter (23 percent) of the respondents reported bookings increased more than 20 percent.
• By comparison, German travel to locations other than the United States increased at a much slower rate. The trade reported that outbound long-haul travel (outside Western Europe) increased only four to nine percent for the second quarter.
• Bookings to the United States this summer are projected to continue to be strong. Bookings to date to the United States were reported to be up four to nine percent, on average, compared to last year. Three quarters (75 percent) of the trade projected the bookings for the quarter to be higher, and one third (33 percent) projected much higher bookings.
• German travel trade bookings are projected to continue to increase through the fourth quarter of 2008. A positive exchange rate is the undeniable driving force behind the projected strong growth.
• Sixty-seven percent of the German travel trade projected bookings to be higher in the fourth quarter 2008. At the same time, seventeen percent of the trade projected that bookings will be much higher, compared to fourth quarter 2007.
• At the time of the survey, trade reported bookings for the fourth quarter were up 10 to 15 percent on average, compared to the same time in 2007. This is good news given that in fourth quarter 2007 more than 387 thousand German travelers visited the United States, up nearly 15 percent over 2006 arrivals.
• The German travel trade projected higher demand for family travel and travel to amusement/theme parks located in the United States, as well as historical/cultural destination sites.

SOURCE:
For more information on the Travel Barometer Program, please visit http://tinet.ita.doc.gov/research/programs/barometer/index.html

CONTACT:
U.S. Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration
Office of Travel and Tourism Industries (OTTI)
1401 Constitution Avenue N.W., Room 1003
Washington, D.C. 20230
Phone: (202) 482-0140
Fax: (202) 482-4279
Email: Tinet_info@ita.doc.gov

¹ The German Travel Trade Barometer is a qualitative survey designed to collect input from active German Tour operators. The German Travel Trade Barometer is a TIA sponsored program in partnership with the U.S. Department of Commerce, and Travel Market Insights.