It is often the first question that vacationers ask when they arrive at the hotel: “Do you have good WiFi here?”
Guests are rarely disappointed. Wireless high-speed internet is now standard in most accommodations. Even on lonely beaches or on majestic mountain peaks – tourists can let off steam on Facebook or Instagram or get the news in almost any place in the world.
“Funkloch” travel destination: Longing for offline vacations is growing
But by no means everyone feels the urge to sit in front of their laptop or hang on to their smartphone all the time – on the contrary. More and more stressed people like to spend the few non-working days of the year offline and thus at least for a short time disengage from the daily internet madness. Your travel destination is therefore called: “Funkloch”.
The trend towards conscious screen time out, also known as “digital detox”, is not new. But the growing longing of many people for internet abstinence is clearly noticeable. Hotel operators all over the world have recognized this, including in Germany. They present themselves as “cellphone-free zones”.
Corona-tired Germans want to relax stress-free
The concept could prove to be a real success model if the pandemic-related travel restrictions fall and holidays in the home country are possible again. In a time full of gloomy, often depressing Corona news, people are almost thirsting for a break. After silence and pause.
In some accommodations, guests’ smartphones are collected as soon as they arrive and kept secure from access. Other houses are not quite as strict and allow cell phones in certain areas or at set times. Whether “cold withdrawal” or “gentle weaning” – the goal remains the same: Medially exhausted people who are exhausted from everyday online life should come to rest and, in the true sense of the word, “relax”
Simply switch off your mobile phone – not that easy for many
With their philosophy, the hotels offer a framework that most people cannot do without, even if they actually do not want to stare at the screen. Similar to losing weight, many find it difficult to turn off the cell phone of their own will. According to a study, Germans between the ages of 25 and 34 spend an average of around four hours a day on their smartphones.
But what happens to people who do without cell phones and laptops on vacation?
A study by British and New Zealand scientists from 2019 provides the first answers. They had disconnected tourists from all digital devices for at least 24 hours. After the experiment, many travelers reported initial anxiety and frustration, even withdrawal symptoms. Later, the negative moods were more and more suppressed by acceptance, enjoyment and even feelings of liberation.
Scientists: Trend is towards “digital-free tourism”
“Our participants reported that they not only came into contact with other travelers and locals more during their digital-free trips, but that they also spent more time with their travel companions,” explained study author Dr. Wenje Cai from Greenwich University. She added that many people were becoming “increasingly tired” of the constant flood of information and constant availability. That is why there is “a growing trend towards digital-free tourism”.
The study has shown that such trips are “associated with some emotional challenges”. But ultimately, the positive feelings would have outweighed. Other studies have also come to the conclusion: Not being constantly available can bring a lot of calm into everyday life. If you want to live more mindfully and consciously, you should go offline from time to time. And what time would be more suitable for this than vacation?
German dream destinations: Chiemgau, Baltic Sea, Allgäu, Black Forest
If you are specifically looking for accommodation in Germany that is suitable for a digital detox, you will find it relatively quickly. Whether on Lake Starnberg, in Chiemgau, on the coasts of the North and Baltic Seas, in the Allgäu, in the Black Forest or in beautiful Hesse, there are oases everywhere for cell phone abstainers. The selection ranges from rustic tree houses to idyllic chalets and organic farms to 5-star wellness hotels.
When looking for suitable destinations, the best way to get ahead is with a tool that should be taboo later on on vacation: the Internet.