Vacation on the Baltic Sea: Can families still afford prices?

Vacation on the Baltic Sea: Can families still afford prices?

Koserow, Deutschland - The Baltic Sea coast is becoming increasingly unattainable for many vacationers in Germany. Michael Schall, a sales consultant from Eisenach, is concerned about the rapidly rising prices that families with an average income from vacation on the coast could displace. Schall and his wife Birgit (57) have had a close connection to the Baltic Sea for many years, which has their roots in the holiday camps on Rügen before the turn. After the fall of the wall, they traveled back to Usedom for the first time in 1999 and have been guests there regularly since then.

Today, the holiday season on the Baltic Sea lasts from March to November, which stimulated tourism, but also led to higher prices. The overnight prices have almost doubled over the years. While an overnight stay in the low season at the “Seetel Group” still cost 55 euros in 1999, at least 120 euros are due today. These price increases are not only relevant for hotels, but also in the area of ​​gastronomy and leisure activities: a fish roll or an ice cream now costs about 2 euros, which further increases the overall burden for vacationers.

price increases and competition

The rising costs are a general problem that also affects camping vacationers. According to Derwesten.de , the overnight prices for a three-member family in Europe have increased by about 6%. For the Mecklenburg coast, this means an increase from 47 euros to 52 euros per night, while on Usedom the prices rose from 44 euros to 50 euros. Nevertheless, with an average of 40 euros per night, Germany remains below the price level of other European countries such as Italy and Croatia.

In particular, the Fischland-Darß-Zingst peninsula shows moderate price increases, whereas Rügen and the Mecklenburg Lake District go back in terms of price. Camping prices are particularly high this year in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Brandenburg, which is why families check possible alternatives in other federal states. In Hesse and Thuringia, for example, the prices are 37 and 33 euros per night, which is an attractive offer.

popularity of the Baltic Sea and changes in travel behavior

Statista , every eleventh German spent his vacation on this coast. The popularity is also due to the variety of activities, from beach walks to cycling, with 5% of all cycling travelers chosen the Baltic Sea in Schleswig-Holstein as the goal.

The atmosphere in July and August, when the temperatures rise up to 22 degrees, the region makes even more attractive for beach holidaymakers. But this price development could drive conventional holidaymakers who otherwise travel to the Baltic Sea.

Michael Schall and his wife appreciate the quiet time to hike and want to enjoy the beaches in the future. But the concern remains that prices could severely restrict the accessibility of the Baltic Sea for families with an average income. Especially in the pre- and off-season, it is striking that aggressive driving methods of local drivers and the increasing number of vacationers can affect the recovery on the beach with dogs.