- DRV EXPECTS MORE TURNOVER AND FEWER GUESTS IN 2024: After a successful 2023, high vacation demand and moderate revenue growth of four percent are expected for the new travel year, especially for the summer months. Overall, the DRV predicts that people will spend 78 billion euros on travel services booked before they go on vacation. This includes both package tours offered by tour operators and individually arranged vacations. According to DRV estimates, the biggest growth drivers are long-haul trips. An increase in sales of 18 percent is expected here. "Many long-haul destinations such as the USA, Australia, Thailand and Indonesia have only gradually recovered after the coronavirus pandemic," says Fiebig. "Catch-up effects are therefore still expected in the long-haul travel segment." According to industry experts, the eastern medium-haul segment - with destinations such as Turkey and Greece - will remain one of the growth drivers in the German travel market for the year as a whole. Read more
- NOVEMBER SALES POINT TO STRONG EARLY BOOKING YEAR: Compared to the same month last year, travel sales in Germany increased by around 23% in November 2023. Early bookers are back in their old strength, according to the TDA market researchers, who analyze sales from travel agencies, travel portals and tour operator websites. Vacation bookings for the coming summer season already account for 54% of monthly sales. Read more
- STUDY: HOW THE YOUNG GENERATION BOOKS AND TRAVELS: Young Germans, the so-called Generation Z (Gen Z), are primarily looking for authentic experiences when they travel. When researching before a trip, Gen Z particularly relies on their social environment. At least that's what a representative study by Holidaycheck claims. Gen Z includes today's 16 to 27-year-olds. Half of these young people explained in the study that they rely on tips from family and friends when planning their trips. Online platforms and social media were used by 44 percent of respondents. So-called travel influencers only play a role for 20 percent of young consumers.?Read more
- BOEING: MAX 9 AIRCRAFT REMAIN ON THE GROUND: Boeing's 737 Max series is once again making negative headlines. After a window component was ripped out of an almost new Max 9 aircraft operated by Alaska Airlines during flight, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has ordered certain aircraft of this type to be temporarily grounded. This affects around 170 aircraft operated by American airlines or on US territory. These will now be inspected. Read more
- ETIHAD AIRWAYS ANNOUNCES NEW FLIGHTS AND SERVES EXCITING DESTINATIONS IN 2024: Abu Dhabi's airline Etihad Airways is further expanding its global flight program in 2024. This also includes destinations in Europe. After Etihad Airways set itself the goal of doubling its own fleet by 2030 in November last year, the airline from the United Arab Emirates is starting this year with a major expansion. Among others, the Indian airports in Thiruvananthapuram (TRV) and Kozhikode (CCJ), Boston, Nairobi and Bali will be added in 2024. In Europe, Nice, Mykonos and Santorini will be added as well as a year-round flight connection to Copenhagen, according to a press release from the airline.?Read more
- GREAT BRITAIN: FACIAL RECOGNITION TO ENABLE ENTRY WITHOUT A PASSPORT: Electronic facial recognition is to replace the need to show a passport in the UK in future. British airports want to introduce corresponding eGates as early as 2024. The UK government recently announced that it would be investing considerable sums in aviation in order to strengthen its role as a forward-looking country. As a result, entry at British borders is also to be made easier. In this way, passengers will no longer have to show their passports in future. Read more
- STRIKE AT MILAN AIRPORTS: The unions OST Cub Transporti and OSR USB Lavoro Privato have called for strikes by employees at Milan's Malpensa and Linate airports on Tuesday. The call to strike is primarily aimed at ground handling employees, reports the crisis warning service A3M.?Read more
- EMIRATES PROMOTES VEGAN FOOD ON BOARD: Healthy eating is popular with many people. Emirates Airline recognized this trend early on and is now expanding its range of vegan meals on board. Read more
- TURKEY: Despite rising prices, Turkey set new tourism records last year with regard to the German market: With almost six million arrivals, the 2019 figures of around five million arrivals from Germany were significantly exceeded. This was also made possible by the weakening source markets of Russia and Ukraine, which provided tour operators with additional capacity in the resorts. In addition, Turkey still offers very good value for money despite the significant rise in prices.
- JAPAN: Following the severe earthquake in Japan, the Federal Foreign Office is urging people to remain cautious. Travelers should follow the latest developments on the English website of the television station NHK and inform themselves via the multilingual disaster information app "Safety Tips".
- SOUTH AFRICA: Shortly before the turn of the year, the Department of Tourism announced its intention to pump 34 million euros into the facilities of the South African National Parks, including Kruger and Addo Elephant National Park, over the next three years. The aim is to improve the safari experience.? The planned work will include information centers for tourists, sanitary facilities, overnight accommodation and roadways. In Kruger Park, river crossings and accommodation, including a lodge for backpackers, are to be built. The Mapungubwe, Kgalagadi, Table Mountain and West Coast national parks are also set to benefit from measures. There are 21 national parks in total.
- ITALY: From June 1, 2024, Venice will ban tourist groups of more than 25 people accompanied by tour guides. In doing so, the city council wants to limit mass tourism in the lagoon city and its impact on the local population. Guided tours in the city center and on the islands of Burano, Murano and Torcello are also no longer allowed to use loudspeakers. It is also forbidden for tour groups to stop on bridges or in narrow alleyways.?
Until next time, may your journeys be filled with wonder, your adventures be plenty, and your travel budget stay intact. Here's to discovering the world, one hidden gem at a time!
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