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
- Recovery of EU tourism slows: Tourism in the euro zone made a noticeable comeback in the spring and summer of 2022. But this trend is now leveling off. Energy is one of the factors driving movements in tourism input prices, according to researchers. Energy import prices can be seen as a major driver of the increase. ECB researchers forecast that due to slowing pent-up travel demand, falling real incomes, rising uncertainty and higher prices, demand for tourism and leisure could be dampened in the coming months. They believe the data point to high but gradually stabilizing price pressures in the tourism and recreation industry. Read more
- Short-haul travel gaining popularity: According to the European Travel Commission (ETC), short-haul travel currently accounts for 72 percent of total visits to Europe. By the end of the year, short-haul travel is expected to become even more popular in the EU region. Cost-conscious and value-oriented travel will lead the travel upswing in the remaining months of the year, according to the ETC. This year, inbound travel volume is expected to reach 75 percent of pre-Corona levels in 2019. Overall, vacation prices will be a key decision factor for households as they struggle with lower disposable income. This can be an advantage for Europe, as intra-European holidays as well as domestic travel tend to be cheaper than longer-haul alternatives. Read more
- Sales somewhat more optimistic again despite difficult situation: In November, the current situation in the distribution of travel services was rated as good by only 22 percent of the participating travel agencies. That is five percentage points less than in the previous month. On the other hand, the number of those who rate their situation as satisfactory rises slightly to 55 percent. A further 24 percent of all participants rate the current situation as poor, three percent more than in the previous month. While the current situation is viewed more skeptically, expectations for the future are more positive again. Although only 16 percent of participants still expect demand to increase within the next six months, only 37 percent now fear a decline in demand. This is a difference of seven percentage points compared to October. 47 percent expect business to remain steady, also up seven percentage points. Read more
- What hotel guests want for 2023: Hilton Group has released the trend report „The Traveler in 2023: Emerging Trends Creating an Innovative Travel Experience.“ According to the study, more than 60 percent of German travelers want the travel experience to be more straightforward in 2023. 77 percent of respondents yearn for greater personalization in their travel interactions. This includes, for example, individualized pricing (36 percent), the type of hotel room (37 percent) or technological solutions such as a digital room key or mobile check-in (20 percent). The desire for personalization also continues when it comes to culinary offerings: 41 percent of Germans are hoping for personalized food and beverage offerings on their trips in the coming year. Topic: wellness. One-third of Germans want personalized access to unique experiences or activities such as spa treatments or classes. For 58 percent of survey participants, physical well-being and accessibility to fitness facilities or corresponding activities are top priorities when it comes to travel in 2023. Read more
Current topics within the transportation industry in Germany & Europe
- Passenger record at Zurich Airport: In October 2022, 2,417,367 passengers flew through Zurich Airport. On October 9, 2022, the day of the start of the school holidays in the canton of Zurich and other cantons, 94,571 passengers travel through Zurich Airport, which corresponds to the highest number of passengers per day since the beginning of the pandemic and therefore equals a record. Compared to October 2021, this represents an increase of 50%, but still a decrease of 16% compared to October 2019. The number of local passengers in October was 1,769,307 and that of transfer passengers 640,530, which corresponds to 27 percent. Read more
- Turkish Airlines wants to grow in Germany: Because Ryanair and Easyjet are withdrawing from the German market, Turkish Airlines sees potential for expansion. According to the Handelsblatt, Turkish Airlines wants to fill gaps with its subsidiary Anadolujet. This is not only to be done in Germany, but also in other European countries. According to the report, Turkish Airlines has set its sights on more slots and thus market share at German and European airports. „We want to grow by 20 percent in Germany and Europe in the coming year,“ Chairman Ahmet Bolat is quoted as saying. Read more
- Condor to start repayment of state aid in 2023: Condor CEO Ralf Teckentrup is satisfied with the summer of 2022 and also expects to be able to sell enough tickets at high prices in the coming months. „And I believe it will be a very reasonable summer 2023,“ Teckentrup said. He said that if people who want to travel next year might save on their vacations and perhaps fly away for only eleven or ten days instead of 14, that would not have an impact on the airline business. With demand still strong, Condor expects to be able to start repaying the remainder of the original 525 million euros in state aid next year. The EU Commission had approved 204 million euros to compensate Condor for damage suffered in the Corona pandemic. There was also a further 321 million euros to support a restructuring of the vacation airline. Read more
- Comfort is the most important thing when flying: For passengers, convenience is the most important factor when booking a flight. The vast majority say that the ability to fly from a nearby airport is more important than the ticket price. According to the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) Global Passenger Survey 2022, which polled more than 10,000 people from over 200 countries, travelers also want greater use of technology to simplify their journeys. Proximity to the airport was the top priority for 75% of travelers, far ahead of ticket price (39%). They also want access to planning and booking information in a single location and the ability to use their preferred payment method. Most passengers (83%) are also willing to share their arrival details to speed up the arrival process at the airport. The survey found that nearly one-fifth (18%) of respondents said they currently offset their carbon emissions from flights. More than half of this rather small group, 51%, are under the age of 40. The main reason for not offsetting their flights was that they did not know this option existed (36%). Read more
Destination news
- China: China is relaxing its strict Corona entry restrictions a little. In future, travelers will have to spend five instead of seven days in central hotel quarantine after their arrival.
- Colombia: Heavy rains have left a trail of destruction across Colombia and claimed 200 lives. In the capital Bogotá, the mayor declared a state of disaster due to landslides and flooding. In total, 776 municipalities were affected by the storm, with severe damage to infrastructure.
- French Polynesia: In the future, French Polynesia will focus on slow tourism and wants to attract fewer vacationers who will stay longer. According to the plan, no more vacationers should visit Tahiti and its islands than there are inhabitants living there. That would be around 300,000 guests per year, says the head of Tahiti Tourisme, Jean-Marc Mocellin.
- Japan: The country lifts the Corona ban for cruise ships. No foreign cruise ship has docked in Japan since March 2020, but that is now possible again, according to the government. „Japan is now ready to welcome international cruise ships again,“ said Transport and Tourism Minister Tetsuo Saito. Among the new Corona requirements is that at least 95 percent of passengers must be vaccinated twice.
- Slovenia: The Slovenian town of Kranj was selected as the winner of the European Destination of Excellence (Eden) 2023 competition after a meeting of the European jury in Brussels on November 9. The city of Kranj impressed the European jury not only with its remarkable achievements in sustainable tourism, but also with the program of activities they plan to implement during 2023.
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