International conflicts and geopolitical tensions are on many people’s minds. Nevertheless, the current situation in the Middle East has little impact on most Austrians’ vacation plans. About 75% say the conflict has had little or no effect on their travel plans. Only 25% see it as influencing their travel decisions. These figures clearly show that the desire to travel remains strong, and many people are not letting anything stand in the way of their well-deserved summer vacation.
Austrians Travel More Frequently Than Germans
A direct comparison with Germany reveals that Austrians are particularly eager to travel. 66% are planning a summer vacation, while in Germany, 58% would like to travel. Conversely, significantly more people in Germany—27%—are forgoing a vacation trip than in Austria, where this figure stands at 20%. While the current economic and political situation appears to be having a slight impact on the willingness to travel, the desire for relaxation remains high.
Domestic vacations remain popular
Vacations within one’s own country continue to enjoy great popularity. Nearly one in two people opts for a vacation within their own country’s borders. 48% of Austrians are planning a vacation in Austria. 44% of Germans are spending their summer vacation in their own country. In addition to short travel distances, sustainability, flexibility, and the wide variety of nature and recreational activities also make domestic vacations appealing.
Italy remains the most popular international destination
Those traveling abroad continue to favor tried-and-true destinations. Italy, in particular, maintains its top position as one of the most popular travel destinations. While 28% of Austrians would like to spend their summer vacation in Italy, 13% of Germans choose Germany’s southern neighbor. Gorgeous beaches, Mediterranean cuisine, cultural highlights, and easy accessibility have made Italy one of Europe’s most popular vacation destinations for years.
Conclusion
The current vacation season paints a clear picture: Despite international uncertainties, Austrians’ desire to travel remains high. Domestic vacations, in particular, continue to gain importance, while Italy maintains its position as the most popular international destination. For the tourism industry, these developments are a positive sign. Flexible travel offers, attractive domestic destinations, and classic vacation spots will continue to be in high demand this summer.
Study Profile: Insights Austria
Since 2024, TQS Research & Consulting, in collaboration with the online access panel horizoom, has been conducting a regular survey of 1,000 Austrians and 1,000 Germans on various socially relevant topics. The study provides up-to-date insights into public opinion—ranging from politics and the media to the world of work, financial situations, and health. For this study, 1,000 people aged 16 to 65 in Austria and Germany were surveyed online in June 2026. The samples are representative and weighted by age, gender, region, and educational level. The survey was conducted from June 2 to 8, 2026, via the online access panels of horizoom GmbH.
Further details on the study, including a chart report: https://www.blog.tqs.at
About TQS Research & Consulting KG
www.tqs.at
TQS combines consulting and market research to develop customized solutions and tools for clients and to support their decision-making in order to ensure market success. TQS Research & Consulting KG was founded in 1997 following a successful FWF research project conducted by the Institute for Marketing Management at the Vienna University of Economics and Business and the Institute for Work and Organizational Psychology at the University of Vienna. For more than two decades, TQS has successfully implemented proven tools and concepts in practice and developed new methods to meet the specific needs of its clients.
About horizoom GmbH
www.horizoom.de
horizoom was founded in 2023 with the goal of creating quality, service, and genuine added value for clients as a data-driven provider of online access panels. In doing so, we think and act according to the “People First” approach: We are convinced that only fair and respectful treatment of people throughout the entire research process can lead to honest and engaged responses—and thus to valuable insights. horizoom GmbH is ISO 20252:2019 certified, owner-managed, and independent; it employs 34 people and has its headquarters in Berlin as well as a branch office in Cologne. As a member of the associations ADM, BVM, DGOF, ESOMAR, and VMÖ, horizoom is committed to complying with the recognized industry standards for market and social research, as established by the Council of German Market Research (Rat der Deutschen Marktforschung e.V.) and the international ICC/ESOMAR Code.
[Cover image created with AI]
