YOUR FAMOUS NEWSLETTER

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??

• WHAT ORIGINAL HAPPINESS MEANS FOR THE GERMANS: A recent survey of 2,000 Germans conducted by the online travel portal Urlaubsguru and the opinion research institute YouGov found that the majority of respondents are happiest on vacation when they have no obligations. 45% of participants said that the absence of obligations makes them happiest, with this figure rising to 52% among older participants (55 years and older). Experiencing nature makes 41% happy, while culinary enjoyment is crucial for 31%. It was also found that 75% of travel bookings through Vacation Guru include all-inclusive meals. Interestingly, 13% of respondents said that a lounger by the pool makes them happiest. Read more

• SWISS TRAVEL DESIRE CONTINUES: Hotelplan Suisse reports a successful summer season and expects high travel demand in the coming months. In the fall, customers prefer destinations such as Cyprus, Greece, the Canary Islands and increasingly Tunisia. For long-haul, the Maldives, Thailand and Costa Rica are in demand, with city breaks to Valencia, Porto and Antwerp also popular. For winter, sunny destinations such as the Maldives and Thailand are popular, but Finnish Lapland in winter is also seeing an increase in interest. Customers are booking earlier again, with 62% planning their trips at least 90 days in advance. In summer, Mediterranean destinations and long-haul trips to Canada and the U.S. were particularly in demand. Travel levels in 2024 are expected to match those of 2019. Read more

• AUTUMN BOOKINS IN SWITZERLAND: After a successful summer, the travel industry in Switzerland is optimistic about the fall and winter season. Autumn is gaining popularity as a travel season for the Swiss, according to TUI Suisse Managing Director Philipp von Czapiewski. An online survey by TRAVEL INSIDE found that 54% of respondents report stronger bookings for this fall compared to last year. However, 30% of respondents think this fall will be worse than fall 2022, while only 16% think 2023 will be better than fall 2019. In terms of prices, 84% think they will be higher than last year. In terms of destinations for the fall and winter seasons, the Swiss clearly prefer Central and Southeastern Europe with 68%, followed by Asia with 11% and Africa, North America and Western and Northern Europe with 5% each. Read more

• BLEISURE TRAVEL EXPERIENCES BIG BOOST: "Bleisure," a mix of "business" and "leisure," is gaining popularity in business travel. Many companies are allowing employees to combine business travel with personal vacation days. 89 percent of business travelers can benefit from this offer, according to the "Chefsache Business Travel" study by the German Travel Association (DRV). In this context, 53 percent of the companies fully cover the travel costs for such combined trips. Last year, 83 percent of eligible respondents took advantage of this offer, and 58 percent would like to do so in the future. The main motivations are attractive destinations such as beaches or culture (44 percent), no pending work tasks (40 percent) and relaxation after the business trip (34 percent). There are age-related differences in the motives. Andreas Neumann from ADAC Reisevertrieb emphasizes the benefits of "bleisure travel" for employee motivation and environmental protection through reduced travel. Read more

• TOURISM RECOVERY: In the first half of 2023, 1.193 billion overnight stays were recorded in European accommodation establishments, up 12.9% from 2022 and 0.9% from 2019. January and February recorded the biggest jumps, with increases of 45% and 27%, respectively. While almost all EU countries saw increases, Hungary saw a slight decrease of 0.3%. Countries such as Cyprus, Malta and Slovakia topped the list with the highest growth rates, and Austria saw a 20.2% increase, albeit slightly below 2019 levels. Internationally, the tourism upswing continues. UNWTO reports that tourist arrivals between January and July 2023 reached 84% of pre-pandemic levels, with 700 million international trips, a 43% increase over 2022. The Middle East, Europe and Africa in particular showed strong recovery trends. Read more

• ALL-INCLUSIVE TREND IN ONLINE BOOKINGS CONTINUES: The all-inclusive trend in online vacation bookings continues. According to an analysis by the Verband Internet Reisevertrieb (VIR) and Amadeus, around 68% of online customers booked such offers this summer - an increase of around 10% compared with the pre-pandemic period. VIR board member Michael Buller interprets this trend as a sign that vacationers want to calculate their travel costs better, especially in light of current inflation and rising energy prices. In addition, prices for top destinations have increased; for example, a week in Antalya for two people in a four-star hotel cost an average of 710 euros per person before the pandemic. In 2022, this amount rose to 872 euros and even to 947 euros in 2023. Read more

Current topics within the transportation industry in Germany & Europe?

• MANY AIRLINES EXPECT TURBULENT TIMES: Engine problems at Pratt & Whitney will require hundreds of Airbus jets to be brought in for maintenance in 2024. Lufthansa, hard hit, plans to use older planes longer and lease additional aircraft. In all, 3,000 of 3,200 engines will need special inspections because of material defects that could cause engine damage. This means that at any given time, an average of 350 A-320 Neo aircraft will be grounded worldwide due to additional inspections. In the first half of 2024, as many as 650 jets could be affected. Boeing is not affected. Read more

• QATAR AIRWAYS WINS IN FOUR CATEGORIES: At this year's Business Traveller Awards in London, Qatar Airways won in four categories: best long-haul airline, best business class, best Middle Eastern airline and best in-flight food and beverage. In addition, Hamad International Airport in Doha was named best airport in the Middle East and second best airport worldwide. Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker emphasized the airline's commitment to excellence and luxury. He particularly highlighted the recognition of the Q-Suite and Business Class services, and announced plans for an expanded route network and new partnerships. Read more

• SWITZERLAND IS EUROPE'S CHAMPION IN FLIGHT DELAYS: This year, many vacationers were again affected by flight problems. Many airlines were unable to fully resolve their internal difficulties, resulting in long waiting times and flight cancellations, explains Claudia Brosche, an expert in air passenger rights. An analysis by the portal "Flightright" shows that Switzerland performed poorly: 1.5% of flights were canceled and more than a third of flights were delayed by at least 15 minutes - the highest figure in Europe. Climate change impacts such as forest fires and floods, as well as strikes and staff shortages, were major causes of flight problems. Zurich Airport experienced a low cancellation rate (1.12%) but many delays. London Gatwick experienced the most flight chaos, with Zurich ranking 6th. In terms of airlines, Swiss had many delays, with Eurowings being the most punctual. Read more

• CRUISE TOURISM - FASTEST-GROWING GLOBAL TRAVEL SEGMENT: The cruise tourism market is rapidly growing, with its value projected to rise from US$ 5.3 billion in 2022 to US$ 17.8 billion by 2033. Before the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the industry contributed US$ 150 billion globally. The sector's growth is driven by increased disposable incomes and innovations in cruise facilities. December 2022 saw a significant industry expansion with 239 new ships. The river cruise segment, offering unique experiences, held over 35% of the market share in 2022. However, challenges like weather conditions, piracy, and crew welfare persist. Leading market players are continuously innovating, introducing new ships and concepts. Read more

• ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY FUEL FOR EU AIRCRAFT: The European Parliament wants aircraft in the EU to use more environmentally friendly fuel in the future. This includes fuels made from bio-waste, waste cooking oil and algae. The goal is for 70% of aviation fuel to be sustainable by 2050. Starting in 2025, sustainable fuels are to be blended into aviation fuel, beginning with a quota of two percent and steadily increasing in subsequent years. A portion of the fuel mixture must also consist of synthetic fuels such as e-kerosene. From 2025, flights are also to be provided with an environmental label, possibly showing the expected carbon footprint per passenger. This should enable passengers to better compare the environmental impact of different flights. This proposal is part of the "Fit for 55" package, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the EU by at least 55% by 2030. According to the EU Parliament, civil aviation is responsible for 13.4% of CO2 emissions in the EU transport sector. Read more

DESTINATION NEWS?

• EGYPT: Egypt is experiencing a strong upswing in international tourism, with a record number of international vacationers expected to reach 15 million in 2023. A significant increase is expected from Germany in particular, with a possible two million visitors by the end of 2023, which would set a new record. The increase in international flights, especially from Europe, has contributed to this development. To further boost tourism, major infrastructure projects have been and are underway, including a new airport near Cairo, high-speed train lines, and the construction of a new capital city east of Cairo. The government's move to this new capital will free up historic palaces to be converted into boutique hotels. Investment in Cairo's Old City and the upcoming opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum will strengthen Cairo as a travel destination in its own right.
• GREECE: After the devastating floods in Thessaly caused by storm "Daniel", Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has promised immediate aid and rapid reconstruction to those affected. To finance the reconstruction measures, the government plans to increase the overnight tax in Greek hotels: in three-star hotels to 1.50 euros and in five-star hotels to six euros per night and guest. The flood disaster has also had a significant impact on infrastructure and the economy, including container traffic from the port of Piraeus. In light of several disasters this year, Mitsotakis is under political pressure, and a survey shows growing discontent among the population.
• INDIA: The state of Kerala in India is experiencing an outbreak of the Nipah virus, severely limiting public life. Schools, public offices and transport have been affected. Two deaths have been confirmed and over 700 people are in isolation. Kerala previously had a Nipah outbreak in 2018, in which 21 of 23 infected people died. The virus, first detected in Malaysia and Singapore in 1999, is mainly transmitted by fruit bats, bats and pigs. There is no vaccine against it. Infections can lead to brain inflammation, which is fatal in 40-75% of cases.
• ITALY: An earthquake center was recorded near the village of Marradi, about 45 kilometers northeast of Florence. Many people have run into the streets out of fear, the regional newspaper "Corriere Fiorentino" reported. However, there are no reports of major damage or injuries, although schools in Marradi were closed as a precaution. The regional president of Tuscany, Eugenio Giani, announced on the X platform (formerly Twitter) that there are currently "no particularly critical situations" after the quake, but checks for building damage are continuing. Civil protection has been activated to help the population in the region. According to media reports, the quake was also felt in the Emilia-Romagna region.
• NEW ZEALAND: On Wednesday morning there was an earthquake near Geraldine, South Island, which was felt as far away as Auckland on the North Island. Since then, nearly 40 aftershocks have been recorded. Although a quake in the same region in 2011 claimed 195 lives, no damage or tsunami warnings were reported this time. A similar quake had already hit the area around Wellington in February without causing any major damage.
• SPAIN: In the night to Wednesday, heavy rains caused significant flooding in Mallorca, especially in Palma. Roads were partly impassable and torrents turned into raging rivers. The excursion train "Red Lightning" in Sóller was also affected. The Spanish weather service on the Balearic Islands reports that the storms are now moving east. Although the weather warning level was raised from yellow to orange, there was no major property damage or injuries.
• TUNISIA: The National Museum "Bardo" reopened its doors on September 14, 2023 after months of renovation. In addition to the restoration of mosaics and sculptures, new exhibition halls were introduced. A special highlight is the special lighting technology that illuminates 13 mosaics in the Sousse Hall. The Minister of Culture stressed the importance of the museum, which now combines modern and traditional elements.
• TURKEY: Turkey, once known for its low-cost vacation deals, is currently experiencing a rise in prices due to inflation. The country can no longer woo tourists primarily with price advantages. This is reflected in declining guest numbers and a 40% increase in the price of hotel rooms in Antalya to an average of 110 euros. Tourism targets of $56 billion in revenue were not met in the first half of the year with only $22 billion. Comparing hotel nights to other Mediterranean countries, only Turkey was negative with an 8% decline. Bentour CEO Deniz Ugur advises hotels to revise their prices and offers. Costs could be reduced, for example, by offering cheaper packages. Despite the general weakness in tourism, Turkey remains popular with German-speaking tourists. Demand for fall vacations, especially in the Antalya region, is rising. Nevertheless, the airline boss of Sun Express warns against using inflation as an excuse for excessive price increases.

WHAT ELSE IS BREWING??

Hey there, globe-trotters and adventure seekers! The world has been buzzing, and we've been listening. Here's your update on what's fresh and fabulous:

The COVID chapter in history led many of us to discover our home's coziest nooks and turn them into temporary office spaces. As company doors stayed shut, digital highways opened up, and the age of the "digital nomad" dawned. In 2022, a whopping 88% of hybrid workers broke the geographical shackles, working from, well... anywhere. And oh, Barcelona and Toronto? They're the hotspots for those work-meets-vacation plans! This isn’t just a fleeting trend either; IWG's CEO Mark Dixon predicts this is our new future. What's more, 76% of these modern-day warriors cite “work-life balance” as their top reason for going nomadic. Work under the Northern Lights or have a conference call from a beach cabana, anyone?

While Europe's iconic landmarks never lose their charm, some offbeat treasures are just waiting to be explored. In Chios, Greece, the Easter festivities are literally explosive with churches launching rockets at each other! If you've ever daydreamed about the Wild West, Spain's Almería takes you right back to the 1960s Hollywood sets. Egg lovers, head to Bessières, France, for an Easter omelet made from 15,000 eggs. Athletic foodies can chase a cheese wheel down Cooper's Hill in England. And if relaxation is your thing, a yoga session amidst goats in the Netherlands is the new Zen. European vacations will never be the same!

Ever thought of trading the Eiffel Tower for rocket wars in Greece? Or swapping the Colosseum crowds for a giant omelet fest in France? Dive into Europe's lesser-known wonders! In Chios, watch churches playfully launch rockets aiming for a bell-tower hit. For a sprinkle of Hollywood, wander through Almería's 60s Wild West film sets. Egg lovers, Bessières' yearly massive omelet will egg-cite you! Race for cheese at England's Coopers Hill or find your zen amidst Amstelveen's goats. Europe's quirky treasures await - explore the unexpected!

Speaking of landmarks, Wikipedia spills the beans on the seven most searched attractions. From the timeless romance of the Taj Mahal to the towering marvel of Burj Khalifa, and from the snow-clad allure of Mount Everest to the historic resonance of the Great Wall of China - these attractions continue to ignite wanderlust worldwide.

To round off, if you're looking to splurge (like, seriously splurge), the world's most expensive hotel suites are here to sweep you into a whirlwind of luxury. The opulent Mark Penthouse at The Mark in New York tops the chart at 70,000 francs a night. With Central Park and the Guggenheim Museum as neighbors, who can resist? Whether it's the Maharajah's Pavilion in Jaipur, the Royal Suite in Paris, or the Ty Warner Penthouse Suite in New York, these suites are redefining grandeur. Perfect for those "treat yourself" moments!

That's a wrap for this edition! Whether you're typing away from a hammock or planning your next unique Euro trip, here's to new experiences and embracing the world. Safe travels!?

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