Curious about what’s happening in the DACH travel scene? Our April edition breaks down the key trends and updates you need to know — perfect for tourism experts, marketers, and travel planners alike.
Dertour’s Top Destinations and Strong Growth in 2024
Dertour Group has experienced strong growth in the demand for summer travel, with a 27% increase in revenue in 2024, reaching €6.1 billion. CEO Christoph Debus, who joined the company in early 2024, highlighted the growing consumer interest in experiences over material goods, driving increased guest numbers and high demand for long-haul travel. The company also expects continued positive results in 2025.
Dertour saw a 19% rise in European guest numbers, with Germany leading at a 23% increase. There was also a significant uptick in the popularity of package holidays, which cater to travelers’ desire for stress-free and high-quality travel experiences at attractive prices. The company responded swiftly to the market exit of FTI, adding capacity and extra offers for travelers affected by the change, particularly to destinations like Turkey, Egypt, and Dubai.
Trip.com Expands in Germany and Europe
The leading Chinese online travel agency, Trip.com, is not only benefiting from the recovery of the Chinese market post-COVID but is also expanding its presence in Europe. With two offices in Germany, Trip.com aims to position itself as a competitive alternative to major platforms like Booking.com and Expedia.
Innovative Travel for Single Parents: Die Reisefamilie Expands Offerings
Founded in 2011 by Eva Wederz, Die Reisefamilie offers travel experiences specifically tailored for single parents with children. Over the years, the company’s offerings have expanded to include group tours, yoga retreats, and city trips. With a focus on personal consultation and social media connections, the company caters to a growing demand for affordable, flexible travel options for single-parent families.
TUI Germany’s Online Sales and Distribution Strategy
TUI Group shared insights into its distribution strategy, revealing that 24% of sales in Germany came from its own websites in 2024, with another 24% from OTAs and 27% through travel agencies. TUI’s online sales are aligned with market trends, with the company having a stronger reliance on its own portals compared to competitors. The group is increasingly focusing on its app for customer engagement while maintaining the importance of physical travel agencies for high-margin products like TUI Hotels and TUI Cruises. Despite strong online performance, 70% of TUI’s sales in Germany still come from package holidays.
Airlines
Lufthansa Reports Record Revenue but Profit Declines
Despite achieving its highest-ever revenue of €37.6 billion, the Lufthansa Group faced a significant profit decline in 2024. Net earnings fell to €1.38 billion, impacted by strikes, high costs, and aircraft delivery delays. Lufthansa Airlines, in particular, experienced a sharp drop in profitability.
Fraport Sees Record Profits Amid Rising Debt at Frankfurt Airport
Fraport, the operator of Frankfurt Airport, reported a significant revenue increase of 10.7% in 2024, reaching a record 4.4 billion euros. The company also saw its net profit rise by 16.6% to 502 million euros. However, Fraport’s net financial debts also rose from 7.7 billion euros in 2023 to 8.4 billion euros, highlighting the growing financial obligations alongside business success.
Düsseldorf Airport to Become Major Mobility Hub by 2035
Düsseldorf Airport, along with the city and consulting firm Euref, is planning to develop a multimodal transport hub by 2035. The project will involve a 70,000 square meter area with offices, a 200-room hotel, and 1,500 parking spaces. Enhanced connectivity will include a second pedestrian bridge, new park-and-ride areas, an improved highway connection, and a cycling route to better link air, rail, and road transportation.
Hotels
B&B Hotels Appoints Céline Vercollier as CEO
B&B Hotels has restructured its leadership, separating the roles of President and CEO, which were previously held by Fabrice Collet. Moving forward, Céline Vercollier will take over as CEO, leading the company’s strategic direction.
Changes in the Management of DSR Hotel Holding
Three long-standing executives are leaving DSR Hotel Holding, which operates brands like A-Rosa, Travel Charme, Henri, and Aja. Björn Franz and Daniel Bär, previously managing directors of the hotel management company, are no longer in their roles. Additionally, Eckart Buss, managing director of Henri Hotel GmbH, will be departing the company this summer.
Landlust Hotels Expands with First Swiss Property
Landlust Hotels continues to grow, welcoming its 30th member, Kartause Ittingen in Thurgau, Switzerland, marking its first hotel partnership in the country. Alongside this addition, new properties have also joined the marketing cooperation, including Gut Leben Landresort near Berlin, Hotel Sonnblick in Pitztal, Tyrol, and Schloss Raitenbuch in Upper Palatinate. This expansion highlights Landlust Hotels’ increasing footprint in the European hospitality sector.
Kimpton Main Frankfurt Opens in Line with ‘World Design Capital’ Title
Kimpton Main Frankfurt, a luxury lifestyle hotel, has officially opened in the Four Frankfurt district. The hotel features 155 rooms and offers a blend of modern comfort and luxurious design, crafted by the London-based architect firm Waldo Works. Its opening coincides with the city’s designation as the “World Design Capital 2026,” further cementing Frankfurt’s reputation as a design hub.
New Four Points Flex by Sheraton Opens in Bochum
The Chocolate on the Pillow Group (COTP) has opened Germany’s first Four Points Flex by Sheraton in Bochum. Previously known as Ghotel Hotel & Living Bochum, the property is the first of six hotels that will be rebranded under the new Marriott brand. The new hotel concept aims to offer a more flexible and personalized experience for both business and leisure travelers.
Nena Hospitality Expands in Bremen
Nena Hospitality has acquired two properties from the Überfluss Hotel Operating Company in Bremen. These include a four-star superior hotel with over 50 rooms located on the city’s popular Schlachte promenade, and 40 studios in the historic Koopmann trading building. Both properties remained operational during the transition and will now be managed under the Nena brand.
IHG Opens CO2-Neutral Hotel in Exeter
The Voco Zeal Exeter Science Park Hotel in Exeter, UK, is designed to be fully powered by renewable energy, including solar power. The 142-room hotel features vertical photovoltaic modules as part of its façade and utilizes heat pumps. It meets the passive house standard for low-energy buildings, underscoring IHG’s commitment to sustainability.
Radisson Takes Over Krefelder Hof
The Radisson Hotel Group is bringing Scandinavian lifestyle to the Lower Rhine with the opening of the new Radisson Hotel Krefeld. The four-star hotel, featuring 138 rooms, is part of a modern, car-free district built on the site of the former Krefelder Hof.
Minor Hotels to Establish Umbrella Brand Strategy
Minor Hotels, operating eight brands worldwide, is focusing on increasing the visibility of its parent company and brand story. As part of this strategy, Minor Hotels has relaunched its website, which now offers booking options for all of its brands. Additionally, the company has introduced Minor Pro, a new B2B platform, and simplified its loyalty program, Discovery, to enhance customer engagement and brand recognition.
Market Insights
ITB Berlin 2025: Key Takeaways from the Global Travel Trade Show
The ITB Berlin 2025, attracting around 100,000 trade visitors, showcased over 5,800 companies from 170+ countries, with strong representation from the cruise and travel tech sectors. The event emphasized industry resilience amid economic challenges, featuring innovations like the Meet & Match networking platform, which helped generate over 80,000 business contacts. A key highlight was the announcement of ITB Americas 2026 in Guadalajara, Mexico, a B2B tourism trade fair for the Americas. Sustainability and digital advancements, especially AI in travel, were central to discussions, with experts stressing the need for tourism growth that aligns with resource conservation and long-term transformation.
Top 5 Hotel Trends for 2025
The hospitality industry is evolving as traveler preferences shift towards greater comfort, unique experiences, and modern design. Dertour has identified the five key trends shaping hotels in 2025.
Innovative Water Experiences
Traditional beach vacations are making way for exclusive pool experiences, particularly among younger travelers. Swim-up rooms, private pools for couples, and shared pools for small groups are becoming increasingly popular, offering a mix of privacy and flexibility.
Sustainable & Immersive Dining
Hotel dining is transforming into an experience, with investments in Food & Beverage (F&B) concepts such as show cooking, live demonstrations, and outdoor culinary experiences. A growing focus on sustainability is driving demand for organic, locally sourced ingredients.
Fitness as a Core Hotel Offering
Guests no longer want to pause their fitness routines while traveling. Hotels are responding by upgrading gyms with premium-level equipment and interactive training options. Strength training, cardio, and smart gym technology are now integral to modern hotel concepts.
The Rise of Rooftop Spaces
Rooftop bars, restaurants, and pools are becoming essential features, offering stunning 360-degree views and sophisticated settings. Many hotels are developing adults-only rooftop areas, providing a serene and stylish retreat.
Modern Lifestyle Design as Standard
Sleek, minimalist, and stylish interiors are now a must-have for hotels. Guests expect aesthetically designed spaces that align with contemporary living trends. Additionally, premium campsites offering a blend of luxury and nature are gaining popularity, particularly among travelers combining camping, city stays, and resorts in a single trip.
Germany’s Camping Boom Continues in 2024
Germany’s camping sector achieved its third consecutive record year, with 42.9 million overnight stays in 2024, a 1.4% increase from 2023. Despite early-year flooding, the industry maintained its steady growth, showing a 19.9% rise compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019.
Winter Camping Gains Popularity
While August 2024 was the busiest month on record, winter camping also saw a surge. November bookings rose by 22.2%, and December saw a 12.4% increase, highlighting the shift toward year-round camping.
Top Camping Destinations
Bavaria led with 8.35 million overnight stays, followed by Lower Saxony (6.03 million) and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania (5.53 million). Growth was strongest in Bremen (+7.6%), Thuringia (+6.1%), and Saxony-Anhalt (+6.0%). While domestic tourists dominated, the most international campers came from the Netherlands and Switzerland.
Germany’s Campsites Among Europe’s Best
Three German campsites were ranked among Europe’s Top 10 by Camping.info:
Campingpark Kühlungsborn (Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania) – named best in Europe.
Rosenfelder Strand Ostsee Camping (Schleswig-Holstein) and Campingplatz Ecktannen (Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania) also secured top rankings.
Germans Cut Expenses to Afford Travel
A majority of Germans have reduced spending in other areas to afford vacations, according to the FUR Travel Analysis. Two-thirds of respondents confirmed they had cut costs in the past 12 months—7% more than in 2023.
The most common savings were in leisure activities (55%) and clothing (55%), both higher than the previous year. Additionally, 43% spent less on groceries, while 40% reduced housing and furnishing costs. Other areas affected included media (33%), car expenses (31%), and even healthcare (22%).
Despite rising travel costs and inflation, the findings highlight the high priority Germans place on vacations. Travel ranks second among spending priorities, behind only food, and ahead of health, leisure, clothing, and housing.
Business Travel Continues to Grow Despite Rising Costs
The business travel market expanded in 2024, with global flight bookings increasing by 4% and German bookings rising by 11%, according to SAP Concur. Despite higher ticket prices, companies continue to prioritize in-person meetings. The GBTA Business Travel Outlook 2025 supports this trend, with 71% of travel managers reporting higher travel volumes in 2024, and nearly half expecting further growth.
Rail Remains Preferred for Domestic Travel
While flight bookings increased, rail travel remained the top choice for domestic business trips. In 2024, train bookings rose by 4%, with 42% more rail tickets purchased than domestic flights. However, ticket prices increased by 6%, averaging €95, with peak prices reaching €116 in August. Business travel slowed in August and December, while June remained the busiest month.
International Business Flights on the Rise
Intercontinental business flights from Germany rose by 11%, slightly outpacing the global increase of 10%. Ticket prices climbed by 3%, averaging €971, with December being the most expensive month (€1,115) and January the least (€889).
Top 10 Travel Destinations for Germans in 2025
Germans are booking their vacations for 2025 earlier than ever, with Mediterranean beach destinations leading the way. According to DRV President Norbert Fiebig at the ITB travel fair, demand for Eastern Mediterranean package tours, cruises, and long-haul trips is rising. The tourism sector expects a 12% revenue increase for the summer season (May–October).
The most popular package holiday destinations for summer 2025:
- Turkey
- Spain
- Greece
- Egypt (+35% growth)
- Portugal
- Italy
- Tunisia
- USA
- Maldives (+27% growth)
- Bulgaria
Egypt and the Maldives are among the biggest winners, with strong booking growth. Budget-friendly destinations like Tunisia, Bulgaria, and Egypt are benefiting from competitive pricing. Meanwhile, Albania has emerged as a rising star with a 36% growth rate.
Asia is booming, with a 33% revenue increase, particularly in Thailand. Africa’s top-growing destination is Tanzania, while the Dominican Republic leads in the Caribbean.
For Easter, Turkey, Egypt, and the Canary Islands are the top choices, shifting away from last year’s preference for the Canaries.
German Small Towns Gain Popularity Among Travelers
While cities like Berlin and Munich are well-known tourist hotspots, German small towns are gaining attention. A recent study by vacation rental platform Holidu analyzed the most searched small towns and villages in Germany based on Google user behavior, focusing on places with fewer than 10,000 residents. The ranking reveals the most popular destinations for 2024 based on monthly search volumes.
Leading the list is Tegernsee in Bavaria, with a monthly search volume of 2,490, making it the most sought-after small town. Braunlage in Lower Saxony follows with 1,920 searches, while Heiligenhafen in Schleswig-Holstein ranks third with 1,860 searches. Other notable small towns in the top 10 include Oberhof (Thuringia), Oberwiesenthal (Saxony), Kappeln (Schleswig-Holstein), and Naumburg (Saxony-Anhalt), all of which are becoming increasingly popular among travelers.
Switzerland – Market Power of Booking Platforms Unbroken Despite Law
Two years after the implementation of the ‘Lex Booking’ in Switzerland, a recent study commissioned by HotellerieSuisse has assessed its effectiveness. The findings reveal that despite the law’s introduction, OTAs continue to exert significant pressure on accommodation providers. Direct bookings remain the primary sales channel for Swiss hotels, particularly for smaller businesses, but the proportion of bookings made through OTAs has increased, with larger, internationally-focused establishments being more reliant on them. Despite the law’s intent to limit OTA dominance, challenges persist, especially with restricted access to customer data and price undercutting by OTAs. HotellerieSuisse continues to support the hospitality industry through training, legal advice, and, if necessary, political action.
Wellness Trends for 2025
Guests at wellness hotels are seeking more than just traditional relaxation. Younger visitors, in particular, are looking for holistic concepts that engage both body and mind. A survey of 3,300 guests and 78 wellness hotels revealed that half of the respondents find sauna events with music, rituals, and social elements particularly appealing. There is a clear trend toward “communal relaxation,” where guests seek shared experiences. However, less than half of wellness hotels are prepared to meet these new demands.
Communal Relaxation: Guests, especially younger generations, are seeking social and immersive wellness experiences, like sauna events with music and rituals.
Wellness Hotels as Health Coaches: There’s a growing demand for holistic health concepts, including personalized coaching and programs that combine nutrition, exercise, and mental well-being.
Workation: Combining work and wellness is increasingly popular, especially among younger travelers. Hotels with modern workspaces and fast internet are well-positioned to attract this market.
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