Dry Holidays: Many holidaymakers are in favour of non-alcoholic drinks

Non-alcoholic drinks such as non-alcoholic beer, Virgin Mojito and Zero Spritz are becoming increasingly popular with German travellers. According to a recent survey commissioned by the online travel agency Expedia, almost half of German holidaymakers are in favour of a wide range of non-alcoholic drinks in hotels.

The results are striking: More than one in three men (36 per cent) and even one in two women are interested in accommodations that offer creative mocktails, non-alcoholic wines and a selection of healthy non-alcoholic drinks such as smoothies or lemonades on their drinks menus.

Trend towards "soberness" becomes a lifestyle

"Sober curiosity" or "mindful drinking" is no longer just a trend phenomenon, but has also become a lifestyle for many. Alcohol consumption in Germany has been slowly but steadily declining for around forty years. In 1980, the average alcohol consumption per person aged 15 and over was still 15 litres, while in 2020 this figure has fallen to an average of just ten litres of pure alcohol per year. Despite this positive trend, Germany remains a high-consumption country in international comparison

This assessment is based on data from the World Health Organisation (WHO). According to this data, citizens (aged 15 and over) consumed an average of 5.8 litres of pure alcohol worldwide in 2019. In comparison, consumption in Germany is almost twice as high.</p

Now the trend towards alcohol-free enjoyment also seems to have arrived in tourism. Gen Z in particular is extremely keen to travel and will have an increasing influence on the travel industry in the future. Hotels are already catering for guests who consciously choose not to drink alcohol during their stay or want to minimise their consumption, according to the travel experts at Expedia. And an Opodo survey of more than 10,000 participants also revealed that around 13 per cent of Germans would like to go on a detox holiday where they abstain from alcohol.

Older travellers less open to giving up alcohol on holiday

According to the Expedia survey, millennials and Gen Z are particularly interested in alcohol-free holidays: Sixty per cent would be attracted to a hotel bar that offers alcohol-free alternatives. However, the willingness to switch to non-alcoholic drinks is decreasing among older respondents. This is particularly noticeable among the boomer generation: only around a quarter of respondents aged between 55 and 64 are interested in non-alcoholic drinks during their hotel holiday. Among the over 65s, this openness even drops to just 21 per cent.

A quarter stay completely sober during their holiday

Almost a quarter of all respondents stated that they stay completely sober while on holiday. More than one in ten plan to reduce their own alcohol consumption on future holidays. For just under a third of travellers, the main reason for abstaining from alcohol is their own health. Every fourth person surveyed simply does not feel like drinking alcohol. Around one in five see themselves as role models for children and want to avoid potential hangovers the next day so that they can enjoy their holiday to the full. For 19 per cent, it is important to maintain control over their consumption.