Holidaymakers have to be prepared for higher prices in holiday homes and apartments this year due to the rise in energy costs. According to a survey by the German Holiday Home Association, it will be almost six percent more expensive on average than in 2022. More than half (59.6 percent) of the approximately 4,600 private and commercial landlords surveyed increased their prices for this year. About 28 percent left them unchanged. According to their own statements, others calculate according to consumption.
Despite the sharp rise in energy prices, landlords of holiday properties in Germany are expecting good business. According to the survey at the turn of the year, the previous year’s level of bookings for 2023 had not yet been reached. “Many holiday guests with smaller budgets are currently reacting particularly price-sensitively and are continuing to wait and see how prices develop,” explained Michelle Sulfur, the association’s office manager. “However, with bookings picking up since late January, we expect it to be a good year for the vacation rental industry.”
Holidays in a holiday home, like camping holidays, are considered to be comparatively low-contact and were in demand during the 2022 pandemic. According to the survey, sales last year were on average 5.1 percent above the level of the pre-Corona year 2019. Bookings increased by 4.8 percent.
The industry sees the sharp rise in energy prices as the greatest challenge. According to most respondents, however, the situation is not life-threatening. While more than half (55.1 percent) felt their existence threatened due to bans on accommodation during the Corona crisis, the current figure is only 2.4 percent.
Most private landlords operate their holiday properties as a part-time job (96.5 percent) and do a lot of the work themselves. They therefore feel little or not at all affected by the lack of staff. However, there are concerns about indirect effects. “If guests are no longer able to stop off or do less due to a lack of staff, this can have a negative impact on an entire holiday region,” warned Norbert Kunz, Managing Director of the German Tourism Association (DTV). This also applies to reduced mobility offers and postponed infrastructure investments.
