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Distribution Networks
Schauinsland Launches Own Comparison Portal
Schauinsland, the well-known tour operator, has launched its own online travel agency: Fruehbucher.de. The platform will show users the best prices for package holidays from various providers, allowing travelers to compare deals easily. This initiative aims to streamline the booking process and offer competitive pricing for early-booking customers.
Eurowings Launches New Travel Agency
Eurowings has expanded into the tour operator business with the launch of Eurowings Holidays GmbH. The new venture will begin operations on April 1. Eurowings CEO Jens Bischof will oversee the integration of employees and IT systems from HLX Group, the company that previously handled package holiday bookings for Eurowings.
Austrian Travel Operator DTA Touristik Declares Bankruptcy
Austrian travel operator DTA Touristik, based in Vienna, has filed for bankruptcy. Despite this setback, the company has announced that its operations will continue for the time being. The insolvency is a significant event for the Austrian travel market, though it remains unclear what long-term effects this will have on the company’s customers and business activities.
Switzerland Drops VAT Requirement for Foreign Tour Operators
Switzerland has removed the requirement for foreign tour operators, including German ones, to register for VAT when offering services in the country. This move eliminates the need for these operators to pay VAT on their offerings in Switzerland.
Tour Operator Rankings 2023/24: TUI Maintains Lead, Dertour Group Expands
In the latest fvw|TravelTalk Dossier for the 2023/24 tourism year, TUI continues to hold its position as the leading tour operator in the DACH market with a revenue increase of 14.1%, reaching €7.3 billion. TUI’s strong growth was driven by a boost in guest numbers and profits, including the impact of TUI Cruises, solidifying its market dominance.
The Dertour Group, which includes Dertour, Meiers Weltreisen, ITS, and other brands, saw impressive growth of 25%, reaching €4.4 billion in revenue. This success was largely due to its extensive travel agency network, which accounts for nearly 70% of its sales. Despite previous setbacks, Dertour’s strategic improvements and its acquisition of the Swiss Hotelplan Group, adding an additional €1.5 billion in revenue, have further strengthened its position. The acquisition brings new brands like Vtours and Hotelplan into the fold, helping Dertour narrow the gap with TUI.
The industry as a whole has benefited from the FTI insolvency, with many of the top operators seeing increased market share and a rise in cruise bookings.
TUI Group Updates:
Starts Strong in New Financial Year
The TUI Group has kicked off its new financial year with impressive results, reporting a 13.2% increase in revenue. This marks the tenth consecutive quarter of growth in the company’s adjusted EBIT. Going forward, TUI plans to focus on expanding its presence in high-growth markets such as Southeast Europe, Asia, and Latin America.
TUI Promises Transparency with AI-Generated Images
TUI Musement found in a study that many people cannot distinguish AI-generated images from real photos. As a result, TUI plans to introduce clear labeling for AI-generated images to ensure more transparency. However, photos of actual travel destinations will remain authentic.
Pluto Integrates TUI Cruises into Bewotec My Jack
Starting in April, the booking platform Pluto will be integrated for free into Bewotec My Jack. Travel agencies will be able to compare and book TUI Cruises Mein-Schiff cruises along with travel arrangements and additional services.
TUI Launches “Experiences for Locals”
TUI Musement has introduced a new product offering local residents unique travel experiences within their home cities or countries. Initially available in the UK and Germany, these curated activities allow people to rediscover their hometowns. The initiative is part of TUI’s strategy to become a leading provider of year-round leisure activities both abroad and at home.
Airlines
TUI Airlines Fleet Gets Upgraded with Wi-Fi
TUI is equipping its fleet of airplanes with Wi-Fi systems. So far, 37 aircraft have been upgraded, and another 65 planes will be equipped by summer. These planes belong to airlines in Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Scandinavia, and the UK, with Tuifly equipping 14 out of 23 planes.
New Service: Lufthansa Offers Luggage Pickup
Lufthansa has introduced a convenient new service for passengers flying out of Frankfurt. In collaboration with technology provider Air Portr, the airline now offers a baggage pickup and check-in service, allowing travelers to have their luggage collected from their home or hotel. The bags are then securely transported to the airport and checked in, while passengers can enjoy their journey without the burden of carrying heavy bags. The service includes real-time tracking and a digital baggage receipt for each passenger. The service is available for travelers in the Frankfurt metropolitan area and can be booked up to 36 hours before departure, with prices starting at €25. Lufthansa plans to expand the service to other locations in the near future.
Hotels
Motel One Opens a Second Hotel in Hannover
The German hotel chain Motel One is expanding in Hannover with a new 200-room hotel at Aegidientorplatz, located in the historic Hansa-Haus, formerly occupied by NORD/LB bank until 2023. The transformation will be managed by BLB Immobilien, a subsidiary of the bank’s parent group. The hotel is also seeking a gastronomy tenant for around 500 square meters of ground-floor space.
Leonardo Hotels Reopens the Smallest Five-Star Hotel in Zurich
The Leonardo Hotels group has reopened the Alden Splügenschloss in Zurich’s upscale district of Enge as its first Swiss property under the Limited Edition brand. This newly renovated hotel is renowned for being the smallest five-star hotel in Zurich, providing an intimate and luxurious stay in the heart of the city.
Willingen to Open a Hotel with a Virtual Reality Center
A new hotel is being developed in Willingen, Sauerland, with a €15 million investment. The Mountain View Hotel will offer 200 rooms, and its feature will be a Virtual Reality Experience Center created by Sandbox VR. This immersive experience allows guests to participate in virtual adventures, adding a unique and modern element to their stay. The hotel is set to open in the summer, marking the beginning of an exciting chapter for the region’s tourism scene.
Radisson Collection Hotel Reopens Two Years After Aquarium Disaster
More than two years after the devastating accident in which a 16-meter-high aquarium burst, flooding a Berlin hotel with one million liters of water, the Radisson Collection Hotel has reopened. The hotel, which was forced to close after the incident, now features a vertical garden filled with around 2,000 plants in place of the destroyed aquarium. The hotel’s 427 rooms, 15 meeting rooms, spa, and a Greek restaurant have been completely renovated. The reopening has been gradual, with full operations expected to take time after such a prolonged closure.
Atomis Hotel Group Expands to Austria
German hotel group Atomis has opened its first location outside of Germany with the launch of Hotel Kaffeemühle Wien. The 76-room hotel is situated near Mariahilfer Straße, Vienna’s longest shopping street, in the highly sought-after 7th district.
Migros Sells Hotelplan Group to Dertour
Migros has sold four out of five business units of the Hotelplan Group to the German travel operator Dertour. As part of the deal, the vacation rental specialist Hometogo will acquire the Interhome brand. Dertour Group, which operates well-known brands like Kuoni and Helvetic Tours, will take over Hotelplan’s tour operator and travel agency operations across Switzerland, Germany, and the UK. The Hotelplan brands will continue to operate under Dertour’s ownership, maintaining their established booking channels. Additionally, Interhome will remain an independent brand within the Hometogo Group. The sale is subject to approval by the relevant authorities.
Hamburg to Get a Guldsmeden Hotel
Guldsmeden Hotels plans to open a new hotel in a historic building on the Cremoninsel in Hamburg in 2026/2027. The hotel will have over 200 rooms and be located near Nikolaifleet, the Speicherstadt, and the Elbphilharmonie.
IHG Acquires Ruby Hotel Brand for €110 Million
Intercontinental Hotels & Resorts (IHG) has acquired the brand rights of the lifestyle hotel chain Ruby for €110.5 million and will now handle the distribution of Ruby hotels through a strategic partnership. Founded in 2013 in Munich by Michael Patrick Struck, Ruby currently operates 20 hotels with a total of 3,483 rooms in European cities.
New Marriott Leadership for DACH Region
Marriott has appointed Stefan Kühr as Regional Vice President for Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Based in Vienna, Kühr will oversee 146 hotels across 14 brands. He takes over from Pankaj Birla, who will now focus solely on Marriott’s hotels in Eastern Europe.
Premier Inn Expands to Berlin-Köpenick and Potsdam
Premier Inn is set to open a new hotel in Berlin-Köpenick in 2027, with plans for a 157-room property and 51 parking spaces. The hotel, being developed by Cosimo Investment Group, will occupy around 5,300 square meters and is part of Premier Inn’s expansion in the region.
Market Insights
Hotel Market in Germany and Austria Expected to Recover from Summer 2025
The German hotel market continued its recovery in 2024, although it remains below pre-crisis levels. According to data from Costar, the average occupancy rate was 67%, 7% lower than in 2019. The net room rate increased by 18% compared to 2019, reaching €119, while the RevPAR (revenue per available room) stood at €70. The luxury segment saw the most significant growth, with a 9% increase in RevPAR year-over-year.
Despite high interest rates and economic sluggishness, experts anticipate a rebound in the hotel investment market from mid-2025. According to MRP Hotels and JPI Hospitality Advisory, tourism demand remains strong, especially for leisure hotels in Southern Europe, while cities like Berlin still lag behind.
Germany and Austria face economic challenges, with household savings rates still high. However, the hospitality sector saw an 8% revenue increase in 2024, driven by urban tourism and short trips. Rising labor costs remain a concern, making cost efficiency and strong partnerships between hotel owners and operators essential. Analysts expect more transactions in the second half of 2025 as pricing adjustments create new investment opportunities.
Turkey Sees Growth in German Tourists
Turkey welcomed nearly 62.3 million international visitors in 2024, marking a 10% increase from the previous year. German arrivals grew by approximately 7% to 6.6 million, solidifying Germany’s position as one of Turkey’s top three source markets for tourism.
Travel Agencies See a 4% Increase in Revenue in January
In January 2025, German travel agencies experienced a promising start to the year, with overall sales rising by 4.3% compared to the same month in the previous year. The tourism sector showed a strong performance, with a 9.7% increase in revenue, and cruise bookings saw an even higher growth of 12.5%. However, the flight sector struggled, with only a 2% increase in sales compared to January 2024, and the number of tickets issued dropped by 2.1%. Other sales categories increased by 6.5%.
Looking at tourist bookings, the order intake showed a modest rise of 1.2%, with cruise bookings significantly influencing the numbers. Bookings for cruises, with travel dates up to October, increased by 12.3%. The total order backlog for the tourism year, with travel dates up to October, stood at a 6% increase compared to the previous year, with cruise bookings leading the way with an 11.3% growth.
This data is based on monthly reports from travel agencies, which track booking and accounting data from around 2,500 travel agencies.
Kayak’s 2030 Travel Trends Report
Kayak has partnered with The Future Laboratory to release its 2030 travel trends report, titled «WTF – What the Future». The study, which analyzed data from over 9,100 respondents across nine countries, identifies eight key trends that will shape the travel industry by 2030. Some of the most notable trends include:
- AI-Powered Travel Agents: A new generation of travel providers will offer highly personalized itineraries, with virtual assistants managing travel arrangements and providing the best deals.
- City Hopping: Multi-destination vacations will become more popular than traditional single-location trips, as travelers seek to explore multiple cities in one journey.
- Wellness-Oriented Travel: The demand for wellness-centric experiences, such as spa treatments, fitness studios, and longevity-focused destinations, will rise. By 2030, the value of a trip will increasingly depend on its wellness offerings.
- Social Media as a Booking Platform: Social media platforms will evolve into full-fledged travel booking tools, allowing travelers to discover and book trips directly through apps and feeds.
- Virtual Travel Experiences: By 2030, features like holographic concierges and virtual hotel room previews will be standard, offering travelers immersive digital experiences even before arriving at their destination.
- Low-Intensity Travel (RNI): More travelers will opt for trips to lesser-known destinations, driven by concerns over overtourism and a desire to reduce their ecological footprint.
- Spiritual Adventures: Travelers will seek journeys that not only explore new destinations but also allow for inner growth and spiritual reflection, such as ancestry research or wellness retreats.
- Personalized Loyalty Programs: The future of loyalty programs will focus on more customized rewards, with travelers seeking personalized incentives like ticket refunds if prices drop.
These predictions suggest that the travel landscape will become more flexible, technology-driven, and focused on personalized experiences. ou can read the full article here: WTF Travel Trend Report
Mothers as Key Decision-Makers in Family Travel
A recent study by Kids & Fun Consulting, based on insights from 2,500 mothers across German-speaking countries, confirms that mothers are the primary decision-makers when planning family vacations. According to the study, 90% of mothers prioritize shared experiences with their families, while nearly two-thirds value child-friendly accommodations and services.
The study also highlights the importance of affordability, with 77% of mothers considering price the most critical factor when choosing a travel destination. All-inclusive packages, short travel distances, and transparent pricing are seen as essential elements for a stress-free vacation. Additionally, 15% of mothers take sustainability into account when making travel decisions. Travel companies are encouraged to tailor their offerings to meet these needs, ensuring a balance between family-friendly services and moments of relaxation for parents.
German Travelers Keep Their Vacation Plans Despite Crises
Despite economic uncertainty and global crises, Germans are continuing to travel. According to the 41st Tourism Analysis from the Stiftung für Zukunftsfragen, 63% of Germans took at least a five-day trip last year, the highest rate in nearly two decades. Domestic destinations like Bavaria and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern were particularly popular, while Spain remains the favorite European country for vacationers. The trend of early booking continues to rise, with many travelers already planning their 2025 vacations.
German Hotel Conference 2025
The 18th German Hotel Conference 2025, held on February 18th and 19th, 2025, in Mainz, focused on the latest trends and challenges in the hospitality and gastronomy sectors. The event featured insightful lectures, practical discussions, and innovative ideas that provided deep insights into the industry’s current developments.
Key trends highlighted during the event included:
- Health and Well-being: The growing importance of mindful eating and drinking, with an emphasis on quality, creativity, and health-conscious dining options.
- Culinary Experiences: The shift towards regional and vegan cuisine, with restaurateurs sharing their experiences in creating unique dining offerings.
- Youth Development: The need for targeted support and engagement of the younger generation in the industry, with a focus on good work conditions and education.
- Sustainable Alcohol-Free Options: The increasing demand for innovative, alcohol-free beverages that cater to the growing interest in sustainability and health-conscious choices.
Explore the KLEBER GROUP blog for the latest travel trends and DACH market insights
