The Telegraph — Britons have a lot to learn from Germans when it comes to holidays – but not in how to reserve sunloungers, new research suggests.
The study shows that Germans are more than a third more likely to enjoy their holidays, as well as being more healthy and active when going abroad.
But the findings also show that Britons (11 per cent) are now more likely to reserve a lounger with a towel than Germans (eight per cent).
And Britons are three times more likely than their German counterparts to return home from holiday with a hangover, according to the research by Travel Supermarket.
The survey of 2,000 British adults and more than a thousand Germans showed German tourists are 34 per cent more likely to enjoy trips abroad than British holidaymakers.
Around one in five British tourists (19 per cent) believe we have a lot to learn from German’s holiday efficiency, while two out of three German holidaymakers (66 per cent) see holidays as a chance to experience different cultures, compared to only half of Britons (50 per cent).
More than four out of five German tourists (82 per cent) say they always enjoy their trips abroad, compared to only 61 per cent of Britons.
And more than twice as many Germans (29 per cent) have healthy holidays (29 per cent) than Britons (12 per cent). More Germans (21 per cent) also take active breaks (21 per cent) than Britons (12 per cent).
More than three out of four German tourists (78 per cent) come back from their holiday feeling refreshed compared to fewer than half of Britons (45 per cent).
And just one in 50 Germans (two per cent) admit travelling home with a hangover, compared to three times as many Brits (six per cent).
Germans are more likely to use their holiday as an opportunity to unwind (85 per cent) than Britons (71 per cent).
Britons’ choice of holiday destination is more likely to be motivated by cheap deals (44 per cent) than Germans’ (28 per cent) and the promise of a lively nightlife (11 per cent) than Germans (nine per cent).
Almost two-thirds of Germans (61 per cent) use a holiday to spend quality time with their family, compared to fewer than half of Britons (47 per cent).
Germans also spend more time planning their holidays, including flight and hotel options, starting an average of 106 days before departure, compared to 99 days for Britons.
More than four out of 10 Britons (42 per cent) admitted wishing they had done more research into places to visit before going on holiday, while 38 per cent wished they had researched more activities before they got there.
However, only 10 per cent of British tourists admitted getting sunburnt on their last holiday abroad, compared to one in six Germans (17 per cent).
Bob Atkinson, of Travel Supermarket, said: “Our research shows just how important planning is when it comes to holidays.
“It’s the difference between just taking time away and having a holiday that ticks all the boxes and gives us the memories and experience we are all craving.
“There is a huge range of holiday options available, so when looking to book a holiday it is important to consider what you want to get out of it, as well as doing your research into finding the best price.”
