Please note: the following information has been compiled from the most important German-speaking Trade Media.
Current major topics within the tourism industry in the DACH region
- Aldiana and Young TIC start trial weeks for young talents: Young talents from tourism and the hotel industry can get to know the working world at Aldiana from the inside on Fuerteventura in mid/late June. On six internship days, the travel professionals can get a taste of all the core areas of the club hotel industry: food & beverage, housekeeping, front office, entertainment and the work of a general manager. In addition, the young tourism professionals will gain insights into other departments during joint dinners with responsible employees. The program ends with an on-site feedback session with all participants. The program is rounded off by an exclusive virtual get-together with representatives from the headquarters of Aldiana and Eurowings Discover in the fall. The ten participants of the Young Talent Work Experience will travel to Fuerteventura in two groups of five. The trips will take place from June 12 to 19 and from June 26 to July 3. Outbound and return flights will be with Eurowings Discover to and from Frankfurt, departing on the outbound trip at 12:50 p.m. on Monday and arriving on the return flight at 10:40 p.m. the following Monday. Read more
- Travel agencies should make themselves indispensable: In addition to the innovations of the tour operator partners and service providers, the topic of a shortage of skilled workers was a focus of the event. Career consultant Simone Kohl, for example, gave suggestions on how travel agency sales can counter the shortage of specialists. Dr. Markus Heller from Travel Data + Analytics presented data from the travel industry, according to which around 30 percent of customers have not yet booked their summer vacation. He also explained why the package tour, which is often declared dead, will survive for a long time to come. On the travel market the Tour Contact members could inform themselves about the news of the DER Touristik organizers, of Aida, FTI, Alltours, Schauinsland, Sunny Cars, Bewotec, Holiday Extras, Ferien Touristik, Trendy Hotels and the Ergo insurance. Read more
- RTK/FTI scandal: Schauinsland considers legal action: According to a report in the Handelsblatt, the FTI Group has allegedly been „leaked“ sales figures from travel agencies and competitors by the travel agency cooperation RTK over a period of years. The article states that FTI apparently used the data for a sales offensive. Handelsblatt goes on to claim that the editorial team has gained insight into „numerous data“ that FTI is said to have received from RTK. These are said to originate from the years 2016 to 2018. Among other things, they are said to include sales figures from hundreds of travel agencies throughout Germany. Due to the so far hesitant clarification of the data scandal of RTK and FTI, the tour operator Schauinsland-Reisen now wants to demand information with legal support. „We have asked a lot of questions, but have received only a few answers so far – and those only in verbal form,“ criticizes head of sales Detlef Schroer. His criticism is also directed directly at RTK CEO Thomas Bösl. His previous choice of words, that RTK „did not handle data with due care,“ does not fit with the fact that over eight years, extensive data had continuously gone to FTI and thus to a direct competitor of RTK’s other tour operator partners. Read more
- These seven luxury trends are a breath of fresh air: After the pandemic, luxury is showing a refreshingly different side. Which trends are hot and how tour operators, hotels and shipping companies will serve them in the future. A yacht with a private chef, a hiking safari along the Great Migration Route in Africa, or a stay in a sustainable eco-lodge with plenty of privacy – the new kind of luxury has many faces. The days when stars were considered the only exclusion criterion are long gone. The new keywords are experiences, privacy and sustainability. These seven trends are shaking up the luxury industry in 2023: Trend 1: Extraordinary, unique experiences. Currently, customized experiential travel and extraordinary experiences are in high demand. Trend 2: All-inclusive meets luxury hotel. For a long time, the view prevailed that all-inclusive and luxury do not belong together – this is changing this year. All-inclusive is particularly in demand in the Maldives, Mauritius, Greece and Egypt. Trend 3: Expedition and hotel ships. Luxury providers have discovered the cruise segment in particular to expand their portfolios: Not only shipping companies like Hapag-Lloyd Cruises and Silversea Cruises, but also luxury hotel groups like Aman have recognized the potential. Another trend is expedition cruises, which are very popular with Windrose or Airtours. Trend 4: Sustainability as a luxury good. Sustainability is not an extra, but is taken for granted by luxury customers. According to KPRN, two out of three travelers are even willing to pay more money for sustainable products. Trend 5: Ultra-exclusive arrival. Privacy will play an important role in the luxury segment in the future, even during the journey to the vacation destination. Customers will book Business or First or arrange a private transfer at their vacation destination. Trend 6: From butlers to valet parking. As individual demands on vacations grow, flexibility in travel also becomes essential. Instead of resorting to ready-made package tours, 61.8 percent of luxury travelers are therefore opting to book dynamic and personalized packages. Trend 7: Distance from the masses. After the pandemic, the need for seclusion has grown among travelers. Everyone wants more space and more privacy, travel agency owners report. Instead of staying in large hotel chains, luxury customers currently prefer to stay in small boutique hotels, glamping tree houses or lodges. Read More
Current topics within the transportation industry in Germany & Europe
- Railroads and airports expect massive strike effects in Germany: Long-distance rail services will be at a standstill until 1 p.m. on Friday, and local public transport will also be largely at a standstill. At Hamburg Airport, the central security checkpoint will be closed all day on Thursday and Friday due to the two-day strike announced by the Verdi trade union. Therefore, all 152 departures on Thursday and all 156 departures on Friday will be canceled or will take place without passengers, it is said. Flight cancellations and delays are also expected for arrivals, it said. Düsseldorf Airport says longer waiting times and flight cancellations are to be expected. On both days of the strike, around 400 take-offs and landings are regularly planned there. Cologne/Bonn Airport is expecting massive disruptions to flight operations, longer waiting times and flight cancellations. Read more
- Turkish Airlines aims to double passenger numbers by 2033: Turkey’s national carrier has set itself ambitious targets for the next ten years. According to a strategic plan now published, Turkish Airlines aims to carry around 170 million passengers in 2033 – twice as many as the 85 million forecast for 2023. The number of aircraft is also to grow from the current 400 to 800. The partly state-owned airline already flies to 340 destinations in 129 countries, the most in the world. According to the plan, in ten years there will be 400 destinations. Read more
- During Verdi strikes Paderborn/Lippstadt becomes an alternative airport: Verdi has called for warning strikes at four airports today (Thursday and Friday). Among others, Paderborn/Lippstadt Airport is not affected. It is now stepping into the breach and handling numerous additional flights. A total of 31 additional tourist flights are expected in Ahden over the two days. „We are happy to make our capacities available to the airlines, most of which we have been working closely with for years anyway,“ emphasizes airport managing director Roland Hüser. During previous Verdi strike actions, Paderborn/Lippstadt Airport had already handled diverted flights on several occasions. Read more
- A-Rosa takes Destination Guides on board: Last year, A-Rosa Flussschiff announced numerous product upgrades for the 2023 season as part of its expanded premium fare. These include Destination Scouts, locals who give guests insider tips on visiting their city. Now A-Rosa is taking Destination Guides on board. In selected cities on the Rhine and Danube, they present their recommendations for restaurants, exhibitions or concerts directly to guests. On the „Danube Classics“ route, for example, experts from Vienna will come on board alternately on the A-Rosa Bella and the A-Rosa Donna. Guests on the A-Rosa Mia and A-Rosa Riva will be regularly provided with insider information about Budapest. On the A-Rosa Silva there are on the way on the Rhine romance with Mosel – journeys, trips and Event Highlights of Mainzguide. And on the route „Rhine experience Amsterdam & Rotterdam“ of the A-Rosa Sena a local Destination Scout will be on board. „A balanced mix of information worth knowing as well as tips on activities and the local culinary scene represent a promising concept,“ says Managing Director Jörg Eichler. “ With our Destination Scouts, we are thus clearly directing the focus on the points of individuality and locality.“ Read more
- Airline Condor launches Edmonton flight to the Canadian Rockies: On Friday, May 26, it all starts. That’s when the first Condor jet takes off from Frankfurt, heading for Edmonton. The nonstop connection is fast: after just nine and a half hours, the aircraft touches down in the provincial capital in western Canada. Twice a week, on Tuesdays and Fridays, YEG is then on the Condor flight schedule. This gives travel agency customers flexibility when planning their vacation. Read more
Destination news
- Africa: Demand for vacations on the African continent continues to rise. Destinations in East Africa in particular are currently popular, according to the Africa Travel Week Trend Report 2023.. Tanzania, for example, is expecting a 28 percent increase in visitors in the first quarter of this year compared to the first quarter of 2019, and an increase of around 32 percent is forecast for the second and third quarters. Overall, international tourist arrivals in Africa have recovered faster than the global average in the last quarter of 2022, according to Voice 4 Africa.
- Austria: The autonomous province of Bolzano-Alto Adige in Italy has apparently had enough mass tourism. As the American news channel CNN reports, the offer for vacationers will be limited in the future. The number of tourists is not to exceed the level of 2019. In addition, no more overnight accommodations such as vacation rentals, hotels or Airbnb will be approved – unless an existing accommodation closes.
- Fiji: Fiji Airways is taking off again from both Hong Kong and Tokyo in the direction of the vacation islands. For visitors from Germany, Switzerland and Austria it is thus easier and more affordable to reach Fiji.
- Hanoi: The fresh Covid-19 outbreak in Hanoi means people using public transport and working at supermarkets, cinemas and bars must wear masks, authorities have mandated. In an order Tuesday night, the city People’s Committee said everyone aboard public transport vehicles, including passengers, drivers and other staff, must be masked.
- Japan: Japan is one of the few countries in the world that requires proof of three Corona vaccinations for entry into the country – each of which must be presented separately. Now Japan is eliminating the need to show proof of vaccination upon entry. The new decision will apply from entries from May 8, 2023.
- United States: California gears up for flooding after endless winter. The enormous snow falls from the winter are becoming a new problem in the US state of California. Skiing is expected to be possible until the end of July – but there is a threat of huge amounts of meltwater.
What else is brewing?
- What does AI actually mean for the travel industry? Travel agencies could use Chat GPT to improve their customer service and increase customer satisfaction. By integrating Chat GPT into their own online platform, customers could be offered a faster and more efficient way to resolve issues around the clock. „In addition, chatbots could help travel agencies save costs and increase productivity by automating routine tasks such as bookings and cancellations,“ Chat GPT says. Are there also risks? The quality of responses is highly dependent on the quality of data and training. „Therefore, it is important to ensure that the data is high quality and up-to-date, and that the chatbot is continuously improved and updated,“ Chat GPT writes.
- Besides new artificial intelligence tools for all, there is news for all carnival – and cruise fans from Tui Cruises. The “Jeckliner” sets sail in 2024 for the fourth time with numerous top acts! The Mein Schiff 3 will sail from Kiel to Gothenburg and Copenhagen from September 15 to 19, 2024. On the 4-day voyage, princesses, sailors and pirates will conquer the Baltic Sea and celebrate a superlative costume party. After the departure in Kiel the Danish Copenhagen and the Swedish port city Gothenburg are approached. Not only on the sea day can be enjoyed the popular Mein Schiff ® premium inclusive services, which are supplemented on this foolish journey by Kölsch. Rhenish top acts such as the „HÖHNER“, „Janine Kunze“, „Marc Metzger“ and many more will be on hand to ensure an exuberant atmosphere throughout the trip.
- What else is there to report? Attention all Royal fans: London prepares for tourist rush. The London Convention Bureau reports that tourism levels in the British capital are close to, but not quite surpassing, 2019 figures. But that could change in the coming weeks. Of particular interest to international travelers heading to London this spring is the coronation of King Charles. Those who still want to get hold of a flight ticket or book a hotel room should hurry.
- Whether you dream of spending Carnival far away from the classic parades on the high seas by enjoying a cruise, or you want to spend a luxury vacation of a very special kind, there are some great options!
Just read on and enjoy and tell your colleagues about our newsletter!
Send them the link http://eepurl.com/g9wsQT and they can subscribe for free and also receive information about our markets!
And if you have any doubt or would like to talk about how to approach these markets better, just get in touch with us. We’ll be delighted to help you.