Online behavior during holidays
A recent survey by DE-CIX shows that four out of five German citizens stay online even during their holidays. A remarkable 11% even reported using the Internet more frequently during their vacation than in their regular daily lives.
High expectations for digital connectivity
The survey highlights that travelers have specific digital expectations. About 43% of the surveyed individuals require stable Internet connections, 40% look for free Wi-Fi services, and 33% expect networks to be available at their holiday destinations. These expectations tend to be higher among younger travelers: While 27% of holiday makers over 55 do not require Internet during their holiday, only 6% of those between 18 to 24 share this sentiment. For almost all participants, a vacation completely offline is unimaginable.
From weather apps to TikTok
When on vacation, Germans primarily use online services to check the weather (58%), chat with friends or family (57%), and stay updated on news apps (51%). In contrast, activities like online shopping (21%) and gaming (13%) are less popular. A significant part of the working population stays offline for work purposes during holidays. Only 15% are reachable for work daily, while 35% are completely out-of-office during their vacation.
The survey also shows differences between the generations in Internet use. Older travelers (over the age of 55) prefer offline activities like time on the beach or in the pool rather than being online, with 17% avoiding the Internet all together. In contrast, social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok are essential for nearly half of the travelers under the age of 34. Streaming content also shows a clear age difference: Almost half of the younger travelers enjoy videos, movies, and series during their holidays, when only 14% of those over 55 do the same.
*The data used is based on an online survey undertaken by YouGov Deutschland GmbH, in which 2066 people took part between the 3 and 5 July 2024. The results were weighted and are representative for the German population 18 years and over.