Travel analysis 2024: Travel bus overtakes train on vacation trips - new data & forecasts

The coach overtakes the train on vacation trips and gains popularity, as reported by the Research Foundation for vacation and Reisen e.V. (for) in travel analysis 2024. In 2023, the number of vacation travelers slightly rose from 53.1 million to 54.6 million. However, the number of vacation trips dropped from at least 5 days from 67.1 million to 65.0 million. However, expenses for the vacation increased from 80.1 billion euros to the record of 86.9 billion euros.

The increase in vacation trips with the coach, which rose from 4.2 % in 2023, to 5.0 % is particularly gratifying. This corresponds to an increase from 2.8 million to 3.3 million bus vacation trips. In comparison, the proportion of train trips decreased from 5.5 % to 4.7 %.

For the year 2024, optimistic predictions are made despite a possible clouding of the economic situation. The estimates assume up to 70 million vacation trips in 2024.

The RDA industry barometer for the first quarter of 2024 does not indicate the effects of the poorer economic situation on bus and group tourism. The index value for the current business situation remained stable with 3.22 despite a minimal decline of 0.06. The index value for business expectations rose from 2.94 to 3.08 compared to the previous quarter.

Bus and group tourism can be satisfied with an increase of 500,000 bus vacation trips and an increase in the market share by almost 20 % in 2023. In order to continue this trend in the coming years, RDA President Benedikt Esser demands that the burdens from the present commission draft to the EU flat-rate directive.

The RDA International Bustouristics Verband e.V., which was founded in 1951, is the leading association for bus and group tourism in Europe with around 2,600 direct and corporate members. The association is committed to better framework conditions in the entire industry.

Table with data for comparison of vacation trips:

| Year | Number of vacation travelers | Vacation trips with travel time of at least 5 days | Vacation expenses (in billion €) |
| —— | ———————— | --————————————- | 2023 | 53.1 million | 67.1 million | 80.1 |
| 2024 | 54.6 million | 65.0 million | 86.9 |

Source: Research Furniture Vacation and Reisen e.V. (for)

The present results show the increasing trend of the popularity of bus trips for vacation and the need to revise the EU flat-rate directive in order to continue the positive trend in the coming years. Despite the possible economic clouding, the number of vacation trips will probably continue to increase in 2024.

press contact:
Kathrin Aufderheide
RDA International Bustouristics Association e.V.
Barcelona-Allee 1
51103 Cologne
Telephone: +49 (0) 221 912772-0
Fax: +49 (0) 221 912772-27
presse@rda.de

rda International Bustouristics Association e.V. • Barcelona-Allee 1 • 51103 Cologne
VAT-ID. DE 122791792 • Club register 43 VR 10398 • AG Cologne
Tel.: +49 221 912772-0 • Fax: +49 221 912772-27 • E-Mail: info@rda.de
The association is represented in a legal transaction by the President alone or the two vice presidents.
Presidium: Benedikt Esser, President (Hürth) • Heinrich Marti, Vice President (Kallnach) • Dr. Ulrich Basteck, Vice President (Berlin)
Management: Benedikt Esser
Responsible i. S. d. Section 55 (2) RStV is Benedikt Esser, President.

About the RDA:
The RDA International Bustouristics Association e.V., based in Cologne, was founded in 1951. The association has around 2,600 direct and corporate members. As a leading international association for bus and group tourism in Europe, the RDA is committed to better framework conditions in the entire industry.