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KLEBER GROUP News
Welcoming Our New Client: Guatemala
We are excited to officially welcome Guatemala Tourism (INGUAT) as a new client for the DACH market representation. Through this new collaboration, we will support Guatemala across PR, media and travel trade activities for Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
Known for its rich cultural heritage, impressive volcano landscapes, Mayan history and authentic travel experiences, Guatemala continues to strengthen its positioning as an attractive destination for international travellers and the European market.
Awarded: Gold & Grand Awards at the WorldMediaFestivals
The print travel feature “Angola – Der Weg ist das Ziel (The Journey is the Destination)”, developed together with the Swiss travel magazine Seazen Travel Magazine and supported by Dreamtime Travel, received a double distinction at the WorldMediaFestivals 2026 in the main Print category, standing out among 803 submissions from 34 countries worldwide. The feature received the Gold Award in the subcategory “Editorial & Magazine Formats” as well as the Grand Award as “Best of Category” across the entire Print category. The recognition also highlights that print remains a powerful starting point for integrated communication campaigns spanning digital storytelling, social media, podcasts, live events and international media visibility.
Opening of the KLEBER GROUP Angola Office and the Angola Convention Bureau
May marks a very special month for us as we officially opened our KLEBER GROUP Angola office and inaugurated the Angola Convention Bureau (ACB) “Meet in Angola – The Meeting Room in Africa” on the ground in Luanda. This milestone marks another important step in strengthening Angola’s international MICE positioning and long-term tourism development, while also representing a strategic step in our international growth strategy across Africa.
For Angola’s MICE brand “Meet in Angola – The Meeting Room in Africa”, KLEBER GROUP developed the complete international brand identity, including the logo, corporate identity and strategic positioning. The opening, organised by KLEBER GROUP, brought together leading representatives from the global tourism and meetings industry, including invited guests such as International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) CEO Dr Senthil Gopinath and ICCA Africa Director Frank Murangwa, alongside His Excellency João Lourenço, President of the Republic of Angola, and Mr Márcio Daniel, Minister of Tourism of the Republic of Angola. The inauguration received strong international media and TV coverage.
KLEBER GROUP x IMEX Frankfurt 2026
KLEBER GROUP was pleased to represent and connect with international clients, partners and industry leaders during IMEX Frankfurt 2026, one of the world’s leading B2B trade shows for the global MICE industry. We were on the ground with a large international team, further strengthening our global industry network and partnerships. A particular highlight was the strong presence of “Meet Angola – The Meeting Room in Africa”, for which KLEBER GROUP organised and managed the official booth presence alongside extensive on-site representation for Angola throughout the trade show.
A great honour was the visit of the delegation led by Mr Márcio Daniel, Minister of Tourism of the Republic of Angola, alongside representatives from the Ministry of Tourism and the wider Angolan tourism sector. Another important milestone was the first international press conference for Angola’s MICE sector at IMEX, organised as part of the Meet Angola positioning, alongside the networking event “MICE Impact Night”, hosted by Meet Angola. Both initiatives generated strong international media attention and further strengthened Angola’s visibility within the global meetings and events industry.
Luxury Insights
New Momentum in Luxury Travel
The luxury travel market is currently experiencing considerable movement, with new providers, hotel concepts and exclusive travel products entering the segment. High-end travellers are increasingly looking for more individual and experience-driven journeys, while tour operators and hospitality brands continue to expand their premium offerings worldwide. The article also highlights that luxury travel remains a strong growth segment despite ongoing market changes and shifting traveller expectations.
Source: fvw
Smart Luxury and Short Breaks Drive Summer Travel
According to Lastminute.com, short and flexible trips are among the strongest travel trends for summer 2026, with bookings for trips of up to four nights rising significantly. Mediterranean destinations such as Rome, Mallorca and Barcelona remain particularly popular, while travellers are increasingly prioritising comfort, quality, and better value for money. The article also highlights the growing popularity of “smart luxury”, with more travellers choosing premium hotels and adding extras such as baggage or transfers to enhance their travel experience.
Source: fvw
Luxury Travel 2030: The Future of Luxury Travel is Becoming More Personalised
The luxury travel sector is increasingly shifting away from traditional premium offerings towards highly personalised, experience-driven and consultancy-led travel concepts. Emotional storytelling, tailor-made itineraries and inspiration from industries such as fashion, gastronomy and entertainment are becoming key drivers in attracting modern high-end travellers. The discussion around the future of luxury travel also highlighted that exclusivity alone is no longer enough, as authenticity, individuality and meaningful experiences continue to redefine luxury tourism.
Source: TravelNews
Industry Stakeholders
Aviation Industry Shows Greater Resilience
Despite ongoing geopolitical tensions, rising costs and operational challenges, the aviation industry is proving more resilient than many expected. Industry representatives highlighted that airlines have adapted significantly in recent years and are responding more flexibly to changing market conditions and traveller behaviour. At the same time, staffing shortages, cost pressure and global uncertainties continue to impact the sector.
Source: fvw
MICE Industry Looks Ahead with Optimism
The global MICE industry is showing renewed optimism, with strong demand for business events, international networking and face-to-face meetings continuing to grow. Industry representatives highlighted that companies increasingly recognise the value of in-person events for relationship-building, knowledge exchange and business development. The article also points to growing interest in new event destinations and emerging markets within the international meetings and events sector.
Source: fvw
Business Travellers Undeterred by Rising Hotel Prices
Despite rising hotel prices worldwide, business travellers are continuing to prioritise quality accommodation and are showing limited sensitivity to higher rates. According to hotel booking data, average hotel prices increased by around 20 per cent year-on-year to approximately US$195 per night, while demand for four- and five-star hotels also continued to grow. The report further highlights that companies are adapting through shorter trips, earlier booking behaviour and the selection of more cost-efficient destinations.
Sources: fvw
Global Tourism Growth 2026: Travel & Tourism Continues to Outpace the Global Economy
The global Travel & Tourism sector is expected to continue growing faster than the wider world economy in 2026, contributing an estimated US$12 trillion to global GDP and supporting around 376 million jobs worldwide. The latest industry insights highlight tourism’s increasing importance as a driver of economic growth, international investment and employment, while also underlining the sector’s resilience amid ongoing geopolitical and economic uncertainty. Over the next decade, Travel & Tourism is forecast to grow 1.5 times faster than the global economy, supported by continued investment in infrastructure, connectivity, digital innovation and sustainable destination development.
Source: WTTC
Travel Trends 2026: Amadeus Insights Predict a Shift Towards Calm and Meaningful Travel
According to new insights by Amadeus, travel behaviour in 2026 will increasingly be shaped by a growing desire for calm, emotional wellbeing and more conscious travel experiences. Travellers are prioritising personalised journeys, digital detox moments, authenticity and restorative escapes over fast-paced sightseeing or purely status-driven luxury. The findings also highlight a broader transformation within the luxury and travel sector, where meaningful experiences, human connection and quality over quantity are becoming key drivers of future travel behaviour.
Source: TravelNews
Middle East Conflict Influences Tourism Flows
The war in the Middle East is increasingly affecting international tourism flows, as travellers shift towards destinations perceived as safer and more stable. Southern European destinations are among the main beneficiaries, while several destinations in the Middle East are seeing declines in visitor numbers and tourism revenue. Economic experts cited in the article also expect geopolitical uncertainty to continue influencing booking behaviour and travel demand in the coming months.
Source: fvw
Trust Becomes a Key Driver in Travel
Trust, reliability and authentic experiences are becoming increasingly important in travel decisions, as travellers place greater value on transparency and credibility. The tourism industry is also focusing more strongly on innovation, digital transformation and closer collaboration in response to changing traveller expectations. The discussions further highlighted that trust is evolving into a central factor shaping the future of tourism.
Source: fvw
AI Agents Set to Reshape Travel Distribution
Artificial intelligence and AI-powered agents are expected to significantly transform travel distribution and customer interactions in the coming years. The article highlights that AI systems will increasingly support travellers with personalised recommendations, booking processes and automated travel planning, while also changing the role of traditional travel distribution channels. At the same time, industry experts believe human expertise, trust and personal service will remain important despite growing automation within the sector.
Source: fvw
Ultra-Long-Haul Travel Continues to Redefine Global Connectivity
The world’s longest non-stop flights are becoming increasingly extreme, reflecting growing demand for seamless long-haul travel and stronger global connectivity. Airlines are continuing to expand ultra-long-haul routes between key international hubs, supported by new-generation aircraft such as the Airbus A350 and Boeing 787, which enable greater fuel efficiency and operational range.
The development also highlights how technological innovation is reshaping the future of aviation, allowing destinations and markets around the world to become more directly connected than ever before.
Source: TravelNews
DACH Market Insights
Middle East Conflict Pushes German Inflation
Germany’s inflation rate has risen to 2.9 per cent, reaching its highest level since January 2024, driven primarily by increasing energy prices linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Rising fuel and heating costs are placing additional pressure on consumers and businesses alike, while concerns over economic stability and purchasing power continue to grow.
The latest figures underline how geopolitical tensions and volatile energy markets continue to directly influence inflation and the broader economic outlook across Europe.
Source: fvw
German Bundestag Approves Reduction of Air Travel Tax
The German Bundestag has approved a reduction of the country’s air travel tax from July 2026, with ticket taxes set to decrease by between €2.50 and €11.40 per passenger depending on the flight distance. The measure aims to strengthen the competitiveness of Germany’s aviation sector and provide financial relief for both airlines and travellers.
The decision comes at a time when the aviation industry continues to face rising operational costs, international competition and ongoing geopolitical and economic uncertainty.
Source: Aero
German Travel Industry Calls for Greater Courage and Innovation
At the BTW (Bundesverband der Deutschen Tourismuswirtschaft / German Travel Association) Tourism Summit 2026 in Berlin, leading representatives of the German travel industry called for greater courage, investment and collaboration in shaping the future of tourism. Discussions focused on key challenges including rising costs, sustainability, competitiveness and the question of how travel can remain affordable and accessible in an increasingly uncertain economic environment.
Industry leaders also highlighted the growing need for pragmatic political frameworks, innovation and long-term strategic thinking in order to strengthen the resilience and future development of the tourism sector.
Source: fvw
German Tour Operators Expect Strong Last-Minute Summer Demand
Germany’s leading tour operators are expecting a strong last-minute business for the 2026 summer season, although industry leaders do not anticipate aggressive discounting. Representatives from TUI, DERTOUR and other tourism companies emphasised that last-minute prices are expected to remain above early booking offers in order to protect the value of early reservations.
At the same time, ongoing geopolitical uncertainty linked to the conflict in the Middle East continues to influence booking behaviour, with many travellers making holiday decisions later than usual and remaining increasingly price conscious.
Source: Touristik Aktuell
Rising Cost Pressures Influence Summer Hotel Bookings
Despite rising living costs and geopolitical uncertainty, 94% of Austrians are still planning a summer holiday in 2026, highlighting continued strong travel demand. However, travellers are increasingly choosing more affordable accommodation, shorter holidays and off-season travel, while the average holiday budget has declined from €1,233 to €1,189 per person compared to last year. Around half of respondents are also ruling out trips with eight or more overnight stays, reflecting growing price sensitivity among travellers.
Source: ahgz
Austrians Continue to Prioritise Summer Holidays Despite Economic Challenges
According to the latest ÖAMTC travel survey, 94 per cent of Austrians are planning a summer holiday in 2026, highlighting the continued strong importance of travel and leisure despite ongoing economic uncertainty. While many travellers remain price conscious and are paying closer attention to holiday budgets, demand for summer travel remains consistently high.
The findings once again underline the resilience of the tourism sector and the lasting importance of holidays and travel experiences for consumers, even amid rising living costs and broader economic pressures.
Source: tip
Austrian Airports Record 7.4 Million Passengers in the First Quarter of 2026
Austria’s airports welcomed around 7.4 million passengers during the first quarter of 2026, reflecting continued strong demand for both leisure and business travel. Vienna Airport remained the country’s largest aviation hub, while regional airports across Austria also reported positive passenger developments.
The latest figures underline the ongoing recovery and resilience of the Austrian aviation sector, supported by growing international connectivity and sustained travel demand despite ongoing economic and geopolitical challenges.
Source: tip
Uncertain Global Situation Strengthens Domestic Holidays in Switzerland
Ongoing geopolitical uncertainty and global instability are encouraging more travellers to spend their holidays within Switzerland, with domestic tourism continuing to benefit from growing demand for security, flexibility and shorter travel distances. Swiss destinations are increasingly being perceived as reliable and high-quality travel options, particularly for nature, wellness and outdoor experiences.
The trend also highlights how changing traveller priorities and global uncertainty continue to reshape booking behaviour, with safety, stability and convenience becoming increasingly important factors in holiday decisions.
Source: Travel News
Swiss Travellers Prioritise Mediterranean Destinations for Summer 2026
Swiss travellers are once again showing strong demand for Mediterranean destinations for the 2026 summer season, with countries such as Spain, Greece, Italy and Turkey remaining among the most popular holiday choices. At the same time, demand for long-haul travel and flexible travel experiences continues to grow, reflecting changing traveller preferences and increasing confidence in international travel.
The latest booking trends also highlight the continued importance of early reservations, price awareness and high-quality travel experiences among Swiss holidaymakers.
Source: aboutTravel
Swiss Tourism Sector Expects Stable Summer Season Despite Global Uncertainty
Despite ongoing geopolitical and economic challenges, Switzerland’s tourism industry is expecting a stable 2026 summer season with consistent demand from both domestic and international travellers. Industry representatives report continued interest in nature-focused holidays, outdoor experiences and premium travel offerings, while booking behaviour remains cautious and increasingly short term.
The outlook highlights the resilience of Switzerland’s tourism sector, with safety, quality and reliable infrastructure continuing to position the country as an attractive destination in times of global uncertainty.
Source: aboutTravel
Spanish Market Insights
Condor Holidays and W2M Join Forces to Tap the German Holiday Market in Spain
German airline Condor has launched its own tour operator, Condor Holidays, as a joint venture set to officially launch in June 2026. At its core is a strategic partnership with Spanish company World2Meet (W2M), chosen for its strong presence and deep product knowledge across Spain’s key sun destinations.
W2M goes beyond a simple bed bank role: it acts as Condor Holidays’ on-the-ground partner in Spain, ensuring every component of the package (hotel, transfer & experience) is properly managed. In return, W2M gains a privileged channel into the German market through Condor’s digital platforms.
Source: Hosteltur
Angola Nominated as ‘Dream Destination’ at ELLE Travel Awards 2026
Angola has made the shortlist of 12 finalists at the first-ever ELLE Travel Awards, described by experts as “Africa’s hidden gem”. standout highlights include the Namibe Desert, merging into the Atlantic with dunes up to 300 meters high, the massive Kalandula waterfalls, and the vibrant capital Luanda. The winner will be announced after a specialist jury convenes on 2 July.
Source: ELLE
The New Spanish Senior Traveller: Experienced, Demanding and Digital
The profile of the Spanish senior tourist has changed dramatically. Far from the passive, homogeneous profile of previous years, today’s senior traveler seeks well-designed trips with real content, adapted to their stage of life, travelling more frequently, planning further ahead and showing a growing appetite for long-haul itineraries, river cruises and cultural experiences.
Price remains a key factor but is understood as value for money: they are willing to invest more when they feel the experience justifies it. Above all, trust, safety and comfort are non-negotiable. They want clear programmes, quality accommodation, guaranteed assistance throughout the trip and, ideally, to travel with peers their own age.
Tour operators are responding by redesigning their products: fewer rushed itineraries, more cultural depth, better hotels and an increasing focus on flexibility and personalisation.
Source: Agent Travel
Polish Market Insights
Poland Plans High-Speed Rail Link to New Central Airport
Poland is planning a new high-speed rail connection to its future Central Communication Port (CPK), aiming to significantly improve national and international connectivity. The project is designed to link major Polish cities with the new airport through a modern high-speed rail network, reducing travel times and strengthening the country’s transport infrastructure.
The development highlights Poland’s growing investment in integrated mobility and large-scale infrastructure projects, positioning the country as an increasingly important transport and aviation hub within Central and Eastern Europe.
Source: Airliners
Polish Travellers Show Growing Interest in June Getaways
Bookings for Poland’s June long weekend in 2026 are already 26% higher than last year, according to new data from Wakacje.pl, confirming the growing popularity of pre-summer travel among Polish tourists. Turkey, Greece and Egypt remain the leading destinations due to strong all-inclusive offers, warm weather and extensive flight connections from Poland, while Spain recorded one of the strongest increases in demand, with bookings up by 71% year-on-year, especially for the Canary Islands and Tenerife. Italy also saw significant growth (+64%), followed by Malta (+58%), reflecting a broader trend of Polish travellers increasingly choosing Mediterranean destinations for shorter holidays before the peak summer season. The report also highlights that package holidays are becoming more popular even for destinations traditionally associated with independent travel, as travelers increasingly value convenience, transfers and travel security.
Source: WaszaTurystyka
Poland’s Organised Travel Market Sees Decline in Early 2026
According to data from Poland’s Travel Guarantee Fund (TFG), the number of travellers using tour operator services in the first quarter of 2026 fell to just over 2.3 million, around 120,000 fewer than during the same period last year. The decline was mainly linked to the outbreak of the Middle East conflict at the end of February, which led to the cancellation of many planned trips and increased caution among travellers booking international holidays. More than 136,000 travel contracts were cancelled in the first quarter of 2026, compared to around 67,000 cancellations a year earlier. Despite the decline, charter flight holidays abroad remained the most popular segment, attracting nearly 1.3 million travelers. The Polish Tourism Assistance Fund has already refunded more than PLN 40 million to travellers affected by cancelled trips as of the end of April 2026.
Source: WaszaTurystyka
Polish Travellers Choose Domestic Holidays and Plan More Carefully in 2026
According to the new Holiday Barometer 2026 study by Europ Assistance, 75% of Poles still plan to travel between June and September, although this represents a decline of 7 percentage points compared to last year. Rising inflation and high prices remain the biggest concern for 72% of respondents, while 65% say wars and geopolitical conflicts influence their travel decisions and sense of security. Domestic tourism continues to grow strongly, with 62% of travelers planning holidays within Poland, mainly at the Baltic coast (61%) and in the mountains (30%). Among international destinations, Spain, Greece and Italy remain the most popular choices. The study also highlights changing travel behavior, including shorter holidays averaging 1.6 weeks, stronger focus on safety and budgeting, and growing interest in AI travel planning tools. While 80% of Poles still do not use AI for organizing holidays, those who do mainly rely on it for itinerary planning, activity recommendations and comparing transport options.
Source: WaszaTurystyka
UK Market Insights
UK Tourism on Course for a Record-Breaking 2026
The UK is projected to welcome 45.5 million international visitors in 2026, surpassing pre-pandemic levels and setting new inbound tourism records. Visitor spending is forecast to reach £35.7 billion, driven by government-backed VisitBritain campaigns and targeted international outreach. The sector is on track to become one of the UK’s most significant economic contributors by the end of the decade.
Source: TTW
Sri Lanka Scraps $50 Entry Fee for British Travellers
Sri Lanka has removed its $50 Electronic Travel Authorisation fee for UK nationals and travellers from 40 other countries, for stays of up to 30 days from 25 May 2026. The move has been welcomed by specialist operators as “absolutely the right move at the right time” as the destination looks to rebuild visitor numbers. The fee waiver is further strengthened by the launch of direct British Airways flights from October, creating a strong new incentive for British travellers.
Source: ttg
Africa Market Insights
Intra-African Travel Gains Momentum as a Key Growth Driver
Africa Day 2026 arrived with added significance, falling just days after Africa’s Travel Indaba, held under the theme Unlimited Africa: Growing Africa’s Tourism Economy, where President Ramaphosa noted that three-quarters of South Africa’s 10.5 million international arrivals in 2025 came from the SADC region, declaring “Africans are choosing Africa.” Around 60% of all tourism spending on the continent already comes from intra-African travel, forming a $106 billion internal market that cushions the sector against fluctuations in long-haul demand. According to Skift Megatrends 2026, intra-African travel is the continent’s single biggest growth story, driven by the rollout of the Single African Air Transport Market and a wave of visa reforms, with Rwanda, Kenya, and Benin among those now offering visa-free entry to all African nationals, making the regional traveller the new VIP. Angola is also well-positioned to benefit, having opened its doors to visitors from 98 countries visa-free, with the ATTA 2026 Trends Report naming it as one of the continent’s top destinations to watch as infrastructure investment and appetite for undiscovered experiences converge.
Source: Travel and Tour World
U.S. Travellers Lead African Safari Market as Demand Shifts Toward Longer, Immersive Stays
According to a three-year analysis by Asilia Africa published in May 2026, US travellers now account for nearly 50% of all African safari bookings, with the UK a distant second at 9%, and the top five source markets collectively representing more than two-thirds of all bednights. Average stay lengths rose to 2.8 nights in 2025/26, up from 2.7 the previous two years, with Namiri Plains in Tanzania recording the sharpest increase at 3.5 nights, driven by demand for private villa-style accommodation among groups and multi-generational travellers. A separate May 2026 market analysis values the Southern Africa safari tourism sector at $14.56 billion, projecting growth to $29.84 billion by 2033 at a CAGR of 9.3%, underpinned by rising demand for conservation-focused and luxury experiences.
Source: Globe Tender
Africa’s Tourism Offering Diversifies as Conservation and Eco-Travel Drive New Demand
Research from Booking.com indicates that 85% of global travellers are now seeking more sustainable ways to travel, with high-end travellers specifically looking for experiences that offer both meaning and measurable impact. Across Southern Africa, luxury safari operators are responding by moving beyond wildlife sightings toward direct conservation engagement, where time spent in the wild contributes meaningfully to the survival of the species encountered. Governments across the continent are reinforcing this shift, integrating eco-tourism into national development plans and linking tourism funding to infrastructure, community development, and conservation across destinations from Sierra Leone to Botswana’s Okavango Delta.
Source: Travel and Tour World
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