The importance of safety on holiday

Factors such as natural disasters, political instability and diseases have made travel safety no longer a secondary issue but a primary concern.

Only 29 percent of respondents buy insurance for every trip, while 36 percent do so occasionally. More than 21 percent say they have not bought insurance before, but may consider the possibility in the future.

The security situation of the country to be traveled is of great importance. Germans are very sensitive about security. Especially in group travels, security measures to be taken are shared with tourist groups.

According to a study conducted in Germany, more than 92 percent of Germans take the security situation of the country they are traveling to into consideration when planning their vacation. Factors such as natural disasters, political instability and diseases have made travel safety no longer a secondary issue but a primary concern.

The "Security Report for Travelers" prepared for the first time this year by Ergo Travel Insurance revealed this trend.

According to the survey, in which 1,230 people participated, and around 1,000 of the participants were people who travel at least once a year, 92 percent of the participants stated that the security situation of the country they will travel to is very important or important.

More than 60 percent of respondents prefer countries they consider safe, while avoiding destinations they have a negative impression of. In addition, one in seven people said they have previously canceled or rescheduled a trip because the situation at their destination changed.

The biggest source of anxiety about traveling is the “crime rate” in the destination. 48 percent of respondents say this is their biggest concern. 37 percent of respondents fear terrorist attacks, while 34 percent are worried about illness. Natural disasters and extreme weather events worry 26 percent of respondents, while the same percentage fear losing luggage or travel documents.

These concerns also affect travel behavior. 35 percent of respondents say they pay special attention to security warnings, while 39 percent say they may cut short their trip if the security situation worsens. More than 62 percent prefer to travel to countries they consider safe.

According to the survey, most travelers are aware of the risks, but do not always have adequate insurance. Only 29 percent of respondents take out insurance on every trip, while 36 percent do so occasionally. More than 21 percent said they have not taken out insurance to date, but may consider it in the future.

When it comes to pre-travel information, 52 percent of respondents refer to the German Foreign Ministry. Two-thirds also use unofficial sources such as social media, travel blogs and review platforms. Personal recommendations also play an important role when deciding on a holiday. 25 percent of respondents see this type of information as the most reliable source.