Travel Sector News
Distribution Networks
Dertour Opens New Office in Munich
Dertour Group is launching a new branch in Munich this December, accommodating around 50 former FTI employees. Located near FTI’s former headquarters at Donnersberger Brücke, the team will handle sales, product management, car rentals, and ticketing services.
Tchibo Plans to Sell Travel Again
Coffee retailer Tchibo is considering re-entering the travel business by offering select Aovo tours, including cruises, after exiting the market in 2023.
Alltours Reports Record-Breaking Year
Alltours celebrates its best fiscal year with €2.32 billion in revenue and 2.3 million guests, surpassing competitor Schauinsland.
Direct Tour Operators Rely More on Travel Agencies
Operators like Trendtours and Berge & Meer are increasingly partnering with travel agencies. Trendtours now collaborates with 3,500 agencies, while Berge & Meer has 6,400 partners.
Airlines
Aldi Sells Eurowings Tickets: New “Blind Booking” Offer
Aldi is expanding its ticket sales beyond train travel by partnering with Eurowings to offer discounted flight tickets. From late December, Aldi will sell the “Blind Booking” package for just €79.99, a special Christmas deal lower than the regular price of €88. The twist? Travelers only know their departure time and airport, while the destination remains a mystery, chosen by Eurowings. This limited-time offer is available until December 29, making it a perfect choice for those seeking an adventurous holiday surprise at a bargain price.
Decline in Domestic Flights Continues
Despite Condor’s efforts, domestic flights in Germany are dwindling. Eurowings reports a 40% reduction in routes and a 75% drop in frequency compared to 2019. Only 48% of pre-pandemic seating capacity remains this winter.
New Hong Kong – Munich Connection
From mid-June 2025, Cathay Pacific will connect another major German city alongside Frankfurt with its home airport in Hong Kong: Munich. The renowned Cathay Pacific Airways is expanding its flight offering between Europe and Hong Kong to 93 flights per week from summer 2025.
EasyJet Returns to Düsseldorf in 2025
EasyJet will resume operations from Düsseldorf Airport in March 2025, offering direct connections. However, no aircraft will be stationed at the airport. Travellers from the Rhine-Ruhr region and the neighbouring Netherlands will therefore have new options to popular European destinations. With up to nine weekly connections, easyJet is expanding its selection of flights to London-Gatwick, Edinburgh and Nice in summer 2025.
Lufthansa Expands Green Fares for Sustainable Travel
Lufthansa will roll out its “Green Fares” globally from December 4, allowing passengers to offset CO2 emissions on nearly all flights within the group.
Lufthansa Optimizes Hub Management in Frankfurt and Munich
Facing operational challenges at its Frankfurt and Munich hubs, Lufthansa is restructuring its management approach. Starting January 1, 2025, Jens Ritter, CEO of Lufthansa Airlines, will oversee Munich operations alongside his current role. Similarly, Klaus Froese, Divisional Board Member Operations, will manage Frankfurt’s hub. This new leadership strategy aims to enhance ground infrastructure, flight operations, and punctuality, addressing issues seen during peak summer periods. Improved coordination with local partners is key to ensuring reliable operations and boosting customer satisfaction.
Hotels
Marriott Hotel Coming to Mannheim
Mannheim will welcome a new Marriott hotel in late 2025. The former BBC-York office building will be transformed into a 200-room hotel, following a green light from the city.
Mountain View Hotel Willingen to Open in 2025
The Mountain View Hotel Willingen, with 200 beds, is slated to open in May 2025. Located near the train station, it will collaborate closely with the nearby Best Western Plus Hotel. The project costs approximately €15 million.
Guldsmeden Hotels Seeks New Locations in Germany
Danish hotel chain Guldsmeden is eyeing new locations in German cities with over 100,000 residents. Currently, the brand operates hotels in Berlin and Bremen.
Europa-Park and Cycling Hotels Win Sustainability Award
Europa-Park Rust and the booking plattform Fahrrad-Hotels have jointly won the German Sustainability Award in the leisure sector for their eco-friendly initiatives.
Destinations
Berlin Expands Water Tourism
Berlin plans to boost water tourism by adding more docking stations, rest areas, and electric charging points for boats. A new water route with five charging stations is set to launch in 2025, along with digital navigation tools.
Vienna Supports Top Film Productions
Vienna recently wrapped up filming for Very Best Ager starring Iris Berben and Heiner Lauterbach. This is the fourth project backed by the Vienna Film Incentive.
Taiwan Attracts Record Number of German Tourists
Demand for East Asian travel is surging, with Taiwan joining Japan and South Korea as top destinations. Increased flight capacity from Germany has fueled the growth.
Swiss Tourism Launches Escape Room Show
Destination Escape Switzerland, a new Amazon Prime series, features four German influencers solving puzzles across Switzerland to promote the country as a travel destination.
Market Insights
Gen Z discovers All-Inclusive
Gen Z discovers the all-inclusive holiday: All-inclusive holidays have continued to grow in popularity in recent years. According to an analysis by the Expedia Group, more travellers are booking all-inclusive packages than ever before. Since 2019, all-inclusive demand on Expedia and Hotels.com has risen by 70 per cent
Podcasts Gaining Popularity in Germany
Nearly 45% of Germans over 16 listen to podcasts, according to Bitkom. 72% prefer podcasts over reading, and 61% favour them over videos. Travel and vacation podcasts attract about a third of listeners.
Germans Plan More Travel in 2025
A Marriott survey reveals that over 75% of Germans plan to travel as much or more in 2025, averaging 4.5 trips. Spain, Germany, and Italy top their destination lists.
