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Travel Sector News
Distribution Networks
Christoph Debus Named CEO of Dertour Group
Christoph Debus, a well-known figure in the airline and travel industry with experience at Condor, Thomas Cook, and Air Berlin, will become CEO of Dertour Group starting March 1, 2025. Currently CFO of Flix, Debus will lead Rewe’s tourism division alongside other executives, focusing on strategic growth and operational efficiency.
Aida Cruises Remains Germany’s Most Popular Cruise Brand
According to a recent YouGov survey, Aida Cruises remains the most sought-after cruise brand in Germany. The Rostock-based cruise line achieved a “Consideration Score” of nearly 18%, meaning nearly one in five Germans considers Aida for a cruise. It is followed by TUI Cruises (12.5%), Hurtigruten (10.4%), MSC Cruises (9.9%), and Costa Crociere (5.4%). Aida scores especially well with all generations, remaining the market leader in the German cruise segment.
Holidayguru Launches New Travel Agency
Holidayguru, originally a discount portal, has launched its own tour operator, Holidayguru Touristik. Starting in April 2024, the company is offering lifestyle package holidays to destinations like Egypt, Albania, Greece, Spain, and Turkey.
Airlines
Lufthansa Invests Millions for More Reliable Flights & Acquires Stake in ITA Airways
After a turbulent 2024 with frequent flight cancellations and schedule disruptions, Lufthansa is taking significant steps to improve flight stability. New Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) Dieter Vranckx has announced a multi-million-euro investment aimed at optimizing operations, improving reliability, and minimizing travel disruptions.
After years of preparation, the Lufthansa Group has completed its acquisition of a 41% stake in ITA Airways. This marks a significant step in expanding Lufthansa’s footprint in the Italian market and strengthening its position in international aviation. On Monday (February 3, 2025), the Lufthansa Group announced the swift integration of ITA Airways at a press conference held at ITA Airways’ headquarters in Rome. Present at the event were ITA’s Head of Communications Pietro Caldaroni, ITA Chairman Sandro Pappalardo, Lufthansa CEO Carsten Spohr, and ITA’s newly appointed CEO Jörg Eberhardt. Having officially joined the Lufthansa Group just over two weeks ago, ITA Airways is set to be fully integrated as quickly as possible. The leadership teams of both airlines outlined their strategy for the transition.
Lufthansa & Ryanair Strengthen Their Presence at German Airports and Offer New Services
Lufthansa passengers will soon enjoy free, unlimited online chats on long-haul flights starting in summer 2025, allowing communication via smartphone or tablet during intercontinental travel. Meanwhile, Ryanair continues to strengthen its position in the German market, dominating at six major airports, including Berlin Brandenburg, where it offers more seats than any other carrier. While Lufthansa remains the leader at key hubs like Frankfurt and Munich, Ryanair’s growing market share across other airports underscores its expanding footprint in Germany.
Despite the previously announced reduction in services in Germany last fall due to high location costs, Ryanair is now expanding its presence at certain airports. The new country manager for the DACH region, Marcel Meyer, explains the strategy Ryanair will use to position itself long-term in Germany. Details regarding planned route expansions and potential new destinations are yet to be revealed.
Berlin Airport Gets New Nonstop Flight to Canada & Expects 27 Million Passengers in 2025
Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) is set to gain a new long-haul connection to North America. Starting June 20, 2025, Air Transat will offer non-stop flights from BER to Toronto twice a week (Fridays and Mondays). Passengers will also have access to connecting flights across Canada via a codeshare agreement with Porter Airlines.
This expansion strengthens Germany’s transatlantic connectivity and provides travellers with more options for long-haul leisure and business travel. Despite concerns over high taxes and operational costs, Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) is experiencing stronger-than-expected passenger growth. Forecasts for 2025 estimate up to 27 million passengers, reflecting a post-pandemic rebound in travel demand and increasing international connectivity.
Ryanair Announces Summer 2025 Flight Schedule for Germany
Despite the previously announced reduction in services in Germany last fall due to high location costs, Ryanair is now expanding its presence at certain airports. The new country manager for the DACH region, Marcel Meyer, explains the strategy Ryanair will use to position itself long-term in Germany. Details regarding planned route expansions and potential new destinations are yet to be revealed.
Eurowings Shifts to Boeing Aircraft
Eurowings will diversify its fleet, moving from an all-Airbus lineup to include Boeing jets. This shift follows Lufthansa’s approval of the investment, marking a significant change in the airline’s strategy.
Hotels
Marriott Joins German Hotel Association (IHA)
Marriott International has officially joined the German Hotel Association (IHA), reinforcing its commitment to the hospitality sector in Germany. With over 120 hotels in the country, Marriott aims to play a more active role in shaping industry policies and supporting local businesses.
Polish WP Holding Acquires Invia Group for €240 Million
In a major travel industry acquisition, Polish investment company WP Holding has purchased Czech-based Invia Group for €240 million. This deal expands WP Holding’s influence in the DACH travel market, bringing well-known brands like Ab-in-den-Urlaub.de and Fluege.de under its umbrella. The acquisition signals increasing consolidation within the European online travel sector.
Holiday Inn Expands with New Openings in Bremen and Ratingen
Holiday Inn is set to expand its presence in Germany with two exciting new openings. In Bremen, a new Holiday Inn – The Niu will be built as part of a mixed-use development, offering 123 rooms and scheduled to open in 2027. This hotel will be located in a vibrant area featuring office spaces, cafes, and leisure facilities, enhancing the local economy. Meanwhile, a new Holiday Inn is also coming to Ratingen, near Düsseldorf, later this year. This hotel will feature 134 rooms, a bar, a restaurant, and five conference rooms, creating a flexible space ideal for both business and leisure travellers.
Accor Invest Acquires Ibis Hotel in Hamburg & Expands Presence in Austria
Accor Invest has acquired the Ibis and Ibis Budget hotel properties in Hamburg City from Württembergische Lebensversicherung. This acquisition further strengthens Accor’s portfolio in the German market.
Accor is increasing its footprint in Austria, opening three new hotels in Vienna and Salzburg. The new properties include brands Tribe and Handwritten Collection, enhancing the hospitality offerings in the region.
Market Insights
Hotel Industry Sees More Consolidation & fewer openings in 2025
Experts from the German firm K22 Hotel Consulting predict continued consolidation in the hospitality sector despite economic challenges. Smaller and mid-sized hotel operators are expected to face increased pressure from larger competitors and acquisitions. However, while banks remain hesitant about financing new hotel projects, existing chains and investors continue to seek expansion opportunities.
According to an analysis by Treugast, the hotel market in Germany is expected to grow more slowly in 2025 compared to previous years. Around 135 new hotels with more than 20,000 rooms are planned, while in 2024, there were still 170 hotels with nearly 28,000 rooms. In 2023, expansion even reached 33,900 new rooms. The decline suggests that investors and operators are acting more cautiously due to economic uncertainties and rising construction costs.
Travellers Trust Word-of-Mouth Over Influencers
A recent YouGov survey involving 2,090 German consumers reveals that German travellers are shifting away from relying on social media influencers for travel recommendations. Instead, they prefer advice from friends, family, travel agencies, and tour operators. This trend suggests that personal trust and authentic experiences are becoming more valuable than influencer-driven content in the travel decision-making process.
Germany Records New Record Numbers for Overnight Stays
The Federal Statistical Office reports a total of 32.3 million overnight stays in Germany’s accommodation industry in November 2024. Of these, 26.6 million were from domestic guests, reflecting a growth of 4.8% compared to the same month last year. Between January and November 2024, there were a total of 465.3 million overnight stays, setting a new record.
Positive Outlook for Travel in 2025
The latest analysis from Forschungsgemeinschaft Urlaub und Reisen e.V. predicts a strong year for vacation travel in 2025, despite ongoing economic challenges. The forecasted 72 million trips represent a million more than in 2024, with 76% of Germans already planning their 2025 vacations. While financial concerns persist for some, the desire to travel remains high, and the tourism demand is expected to surpass pre-pandemic levels.
Germany Remains Cautious with AI Investments
While artificial intelligence continues to dominate global business conversations, German companies are still taking a conservative approach to AI investments. The latest BCG AI Radar report reveals that, despite worldwide enthusiasm, Germany lags behind in AI adoption.
Caravaning Market Shows Strong Growth
Germany’s caravan and motorhome industry continues to thrive, with over 96,000 new registrations in 2024. The sector achieved its second-best revenue ever, generating around €15.1 billion, proving its resilience in the face of economic challenges.
South Korea Extends Visa-Free Entry for Germans
South Korea has extended its exemption from the electronic travel authorization (K-ETA) requirement for German citizens until December 31, 2025. This allows German travellers to enter South Korea without needing prior approval.
Podcast Market Continues to Grow (rms.de)
The podcast market in Germany is expanding, with 33% of people listening regularly and 23% tuning in daily—up from 22% last year. This growth reflects the increasing popularity of podcasts and the broad range of topics that cater to diverse listener interests. For brands, this presents exciting opportunities to strategically place their messages and engage with a highly targeted audience.
Gen Z: New Demands, New Expectations
A recent study by the Austrian Hotel Association (ÖHV) reveals the unique preferences and expectations of Generation Z. Gen Z travellers prioritize sustainability and digital personalization. Hotels must offer tailored experiences, digital check-ins, and eco-friendly practices to appeal to this group. Social media presence, especially on platforms like Instagram and TikTok, is essential for reaching these young guests.
Social Media Trend: “Granfluencers” Take Over the Advertising World
The trend of “granfluencers” – a combination of “grandparents” and “influencers” – is becoming increasingly popular. Older influencers like Günther Krabbenhöft (79 years old, known as “Hipster Grandpa”) or Helen Van Winkle (“Baddie Winkle,” 94 years old) reach millions of followers and are used as brand ambassadors by major companies. More and more businesses are turning to older influencers to generate attention through the contrast between age and youth fashion.
Explore the KLEBER GROUP blog for the latest travel trends and DACH market insights
