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Karin, Isabell, and the #famousteam
- Germans want to spend even more on travel: Germans are planning to spend more money on travel in 2025, despite the general willingness to save money in other areas. A survey by management consultants Alix-Partners shows that 25% of respondents even want to increase their travel budget in the coming year, even though prices in the travel industry have risen sharply. While 35% of Germans want to spend less on leisure, electronics and DIY items and 54% want to eat at home more often, the travel sector remains an exception. This development benefits tour operators, airlines and hotels, while many other retailers are struggling to attract customers with increasing discounts. Read more
- TUI reveals the most popular destinations for Christmas: TUI Suisse has analyzed the most popular destinations for the Swiss at Christmas, and sunny destinations are particularly popular. Demand for medium-haul and long-haul trips has risen significantly compared to the previous year. The favorites on medium-haul routes include Hurghada on the Red Sea, which occupies the top spot, as well as Gran Canaria, Tenerife and the Cape Verde island of Sal. Marsa Alam in Egypt is also enjoying growing popularity and is considered an insider tip for diving enthusiasts. In terms of long-haul destinations, Spain remains in first place thanks to the Canary Islands, followed by Egypt, which is celebrating a strong comeback. Thailand secures third place and attracts visitors with its tropical warmth, while the United Arab Emirates and the Maldives complete the top five. The Dominican Republic, Cape Verde, the USA, Tanzania and Mexico are also among the top 10. There is a notable trend in long-distance travel, where Swiss guests are treating themselves to longer stays - one day more on average. Overall, there is a strong desire for relaxation in sunny regions during the holidays, which illustrates the booming demand for Christmas and New Year's Eve trips. Read more
- Word of mouth is important when choosing a trip: According to a YouGov survey, German consumers mainly rely on recommendations from friends, relatives, tour operators and travel agencies when choosing a trip, while social media influencers only play a minor role. Only eight percent of respondents are inspired by travel content on Instagram or YouTube. The high costs of trips presented by influencers are particularly problematic for many: More than half of those surveyed stated that these were significantly higher than their budget, with 18 percent even estimating the costs to be at least twice as high as their own travel budget. In addition, 24 percent criticized the lack of cost transparency. The survey also shows that social media recommendations do not significantly influence the travel planning of most consumers. A third of those planning a trip rely on recommendations from friends and family, while traditional travel agencies and tour operators also have a major influence with 21 percent. Travel magazines and articles follow with 17 percent, while mobile apps, vacation brochures and direct advertising are used less frequently. The study makes it clear that providers in the travel industry should focus more on personalized content and clear cost communication, as influencers cannot offer this service. Alban Villani, CEO EU & Asia at Epsilon, emphasizes that word of mouth continues to play a central role and that the industry should use all relevant marketing channels - including traditional advertising. Read more
- Dertour expects a “bombastic summer”: Dertour Deutschland is optimistic about a record year with high growth in bookings and sales. In the past tourism year, the tour operator recorded a 33 percent increase in turnover and a 21 percent increase in guests. The reasons for this success include the comeback of long-haul tours, high-quality bookings with longer travel durations and a growing all-inclusive share of 61 percent. The insolvency of competitor FTI also brought Dertour additional customers, particularly in popular FTI destinations such as Turkey (+51% guests), Egypt (+40%) and the Emirates (+52%). The company has further expanded its offering: Dertour is entering summer 2025 with 12,000 hotels, including 1,200 new ones. The portfolio includes exclusive properties such as the new Aldiana Club Calabria Rocca Nettuno and the Sentido Marillia Resort in Tunisia. At the same time, the focus on dynamic packages is being strengthened, for example through direct cooperation with hotel chains such as Marriott and Iberostar. For the 2024/2025 winter season, Dertour is reporting a 39% increase in guests, while bookings for summer 2025 are already 22% up on the previous year. Mediterranean destinations, Egypt and long-haul trips are particularly popular. Early booking discounts of up to 45% are also expected to appeal to price-conscious guests and families. According to Managing Director Mark Tantz, summer 2025 will be “bombastic” thanks to strong advance bookings and could beat all previous records. Read more
- CO2 emissions from tourism have increased rapidly: According to a study by researchers at the University of Queensland in Australia, global greenhouse gas emissions from tourism increased more than twice as fast as global economic emissions between 2009 and 2019. The main reason for this is growing demand, while technology such as airplanes has only become slightly more efficient. According to the study, emissions associated with tourism increased by 3.5 percent per year. Read more
- These are the ten most visited cities in the world: In 2024, international tourism attracted a large number of travelers with a 19% increase in arrivals, with cities playing a key role. Bangkok leads the ranking of the most visited cities with 32.4 million international arrivals, thanks to cultural highlights, nightlife and a new visa-free regime for many countries. Istanbul follows in second place with 23 million visitors who are fascinated by the mix of history and modernity, while Hong Kong scores fourth place with 20.5 million visitors thanks to its skyline and cultural diversity. Mecca and Antalya occupy fifth and sixth place with 19.3 million arrivals each, with Mecca attracting visitors for the Hajj pilgrimage and Antalya for beach vacations and historical excursions. Dubai remains a luxury hotspot with 18.2 million guests, while Macau, known for its casinos and colonial heritage, recorded 18 million travelers. Paris, which benefited from the 2024 Olympics, attracts 17.4 million visitors and Kuala Lumpur impresses with a 73 percent growth, bringing in 16.5 million tourists. The ranking shows the trend towards culturally enriching and sustainable travel experiences that give major cities a central role in global tourism. Read more
- These are the Amadeus Travel Trends 2025: The Amadeus Travel Trends 2025 show that travel behavior is evolving and setting new priorities. Nostalgia plays a major role, as travelers are increasingly looking for experiences reminiscent of simpler times. Retro trips, such as camping trips or summer camps for adults, are gaining popularity, and classic destinations such as Miami are experiencing a revival inspired by cultural references. Another trend is the increasing personalization of flight experiences. With the help of artificial intelligence and high-speed Wi-Fi, air travel is becoming more individualized. Airlines are already experimenting with immersive technologies such as VR headsets to optimize the in-flight experience and adapt it to passengers' needs. Hotels, meanwhile, are developing into destinations in their own right. Impressive architecture, cultural integration and historical features are turning accommodation into travel highlights. Examples include the Reverb Hamburg in a former bunker and the Edition Hotel on Lake Como, which will open in a historic villa in 2025. Asian tourism is also experiencing a boom. New visa exemptions in China and Thailand as well as the increasing popularity of Asian pop culture, such as series from South Korea and Japan, are boosting interest in the region. Expanded flight connections and programs for digital nomads are also making Asia more accessible. Another significant trend is the desire for genuine interpersonal connections. The trends illustrate people's desire for a balance between technology, tradition and personal relationships. Read more
- Four forecasts for business travel in 2025: 2025: With the return to the office, the number of business trips is increasing, which places greater demands on travel management: Budgets must be used optimally and costs and guidelines must be adhered to. Cybersecurity will become central as automation and AI increase efficiency, but also increase the risk of cyberattacks. Protecting sensitive data while traveling is becoming more important than ever. AI automates tasks such as checking expenses and reduces routine work. Instead of comprehensive reports, the focus is shifting to “exception reports” that only highlight deviations from guidelines. Despite efficiency, there is still scepticism about full AI automation. Travelers' expectations are also rising. Real-time updates and alternative solutions in the event of disruptions are becoming essential to ensure a smooth travel experience. Read more
- The Swiss travel hits over Christmas and New Year: The 2024/25 holidays are the perfect occasion for many Swiss people to travel - whether to the Alps or to sunny cities. According to an analysis by Booking, snow-covered mountain resorts such as Zermatt, Davos and St. Moritz are among the favorites. Arosa (+25%) and Crans-Montana (+18%) in particular have seen increases in accommodation searches, confirming the popularity of the Alpine idyll. Those who prefer to spend the holidays in vibrant cities are opting for destinations such as Dubai (+52 %), Paris (+69 %), New York (+51 %) and Hurghada, where demand has doubled. While the Alps offer winter romance, metropolises and warm coastal cities such as Hurghada attract travelers looking to escape the winter. Read more
- Vacation start at the airport: what travelers need to know: The Christmas season is a busy time at Zurich Airport, but with good planning, the start to the vacations can be relaxed. The airport recommends online or early evening check-in and the use of self-bag drop machines to minimize waiting times. Rules must be observed for hand luggage: Ready-made fondue is permitted, rechauds only without fuel paste in checked baggage. Battery-operated devices are permitted under certain conditions, winter sports equipment and liquid gifts belong in checked baggage. The e-gates at passport control are now also available to passengers aged 12 and over, provided they have a biometric passport. Due to construction work in Check-in 1 (29.10.24-19.03.25), travelers of airlines such as Swiss, Lufthansa and Easyjet should check the changed check-in areas. The Christmas village in the Circle provides a festive atmosphere with Swiss specialties, atmospheric decorations and last-minute shopping in the open stores. Read more
- Airlines want to grow flights in Germany by 5%: Trotz wirtschaftlicher Herausforderungen erwartet der Bundesverband der Deutschen Luftverkehrswirtschaft (BDL) von Dezember 2024 bis Mai 2025 einen Anstieg des Luftverkehrs um 5 % und damit 86 % des Niveaus vor der Pandemie. Die Fluggesellschaften werden in diesem Zeitraum 114,6 Millionen Sitzplätze anbieten, wobei touristisch orientierte Mittelmeerziele das Wachstum antreiben. Die Regionalflughäfen verzeichnen erhebliche Zuwächse, darunter Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden (+35 %), Hahn (+28 %), Memmingen (+17 %), Hannover (+14 %), Niederrhein/Weeze (+13 %) und Bremen (+10 %). Bei den Großflughäfen rechnen München und Hamburg mit einem Wachstum von 7 %, Berlin mit 8 %. Dagegen bleiben Düsseldorf (+3%) und Frankfurt (+1%) zurück. Der Aufschwung in Deutschland verläuft langsamer als in den europäischen Nachbarländern, wo der Luftverkehr im gleichen Zeitraum voraussichtlich um 7 % über dem Niveau vor dem Zusammenbruch liegen wird. Read more
- MALIBU: A forest fire has been raging in the Californian coastal town of Malibu since Monday evening. It has spread from the hilly hinterland to the beaches and is now threatening numerous homes. Thousands of residents have fled and around 20,000 have been evacuated. The Pacific Coast Highway has been closed and many households are without power. Over 1,500 firefighters are battling the fire, so far without control. There have been no reports of injuries or fatalities. Read more
- SEVILLA: Climate change is having a severe impact on the Andalusia region, and the floods last fall were devastating. The capital city of Seville was hardly affected as it had previously implemented a series of measures. These include underground sponge systems and catch basins to absorb heavy rainfall and store rainwater. The Guadalquivir, which flows through the city, has been regulated for 20 years with water level controls and sluices. Read more
- FINNLAND: Last year, the small Finnish town of Rovaniemi recorded around 1.2 million overnight stays, 30 percent more than in 2022. The town is known as the home of Santa Claus. This has boosted tourism enormously, with the number of visitors exceeding the population tenfold. However, housing is becoming scarce and expensive, and activists are calling for a ban on accommodation services in residential buildings. The mayor has rejected the plan for the time being. Read more
- SPAIN: At Turespaña’s first sustainability conference in Berlin, experts highlighted Spain’s responsibility to lead in green travel. The “Spain Talks – Caring for the Future” series aims to develop solutions that balance tourism growth with resource preservation. Alvaro Blanco of Turespaña emphasized their commitment to future generations, while Miguel Sanz underlined sustainability's importance for Spain’s competitiveness. However, German travelers show little awareness of sustainable travel. Despite record holiday spending (€86.3 billion in 2023) and Spain’s continued popularity, price remains the main decision factor. Ulf Sonntag from NIT Kiel revealed that sustainability influences only 3% of holiday choices, though 67% of respondents claim ecological compatibility is important—a clear gap between attitude and behavior. Extreme heat also fails to deter German tourists, reducing consumer pressure on the industry. Sonntag stressed that change must come from within: “If we do nothing, we are digging our own grave.” Read more
- MOROCCO: Morocco is prioritizing sustainable tourism, aiming to lead Africa in green initiatives with German support. Projects like Go Sihaya provide up to 40% investment aid for eco-friendly tourism companies. Additionally, green labels, such as the Green Key for hotels, recognize efforts to protect the environment. Mehdi Benrhanem from the Moroccan tourist office highlights that sustainability is central to Morocco’s 2023-2026 roadmap, aiming to attract one million German tourists by 2025 and making Germany its third-largest source market. Beyond tourism, Morocco is advancing renewable energy, focusing on solar, wind, and green hydrogen production. Partnering with Germany, the country is building its first green hydrogen plant, targeting 10,000 tonnes of annual production. Morocco aims to generate 52% of its electricity from renewables and cut greenhouse gas emissions by 45.5% by 2030. Ranking ninth in the 2024 Climate Protection Index, Morocco is positioning itself as Africa’s leader in sustainability. Read more
- IRELAND: Tourism Ireland’s image film "Ireland: A Love Story" has won first place in the "Best Commercial" category at the International Natourale Nature and Film Festival in Wiesbaden. The campaign triumphed over productions from Canada and South Africa. The jury praised the film for its quirky humor, the creative sheep costume, and the performance of lead actor Uke Bosse, stating, "It immediately won us over." In "Ireland: A Love Story," Bosse embarks on an unexpected and reluctant journey to Ireland, only to find himself wishing to stay longer. Nadine Lehmann, Market Manager for Germany at Tourism Ireland, described it as an unconventional project whose boldness has now paid off. The film aimed to showcase Ireland’s unique character, hospitality, and natural power without falling into clichés. The video, created in collaboration with Hansmann PR and Rio Film, has garnered over 1.6 million views on YouTube. A second part, "Ireland: Love Has Many Faces," is already available, and a third is planned for next year. Read more
- GREECE: Greece's Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni expects record turnover in the tourism sector in 2025. For 2024, she forecasts revenues of 22 billion euros, which exceeds the previous record of 20 billion euros from 2023. In her speech in Parliament, Kefalogianni emphasized that the tourism sector has been successfully distributed throughout the year and geographically. To ensure Greece's competitiveness as a global tourist destination, the strategy focuses on infrastructure development, digital transformation, sustainability and regulation, as well as increased training in the tourism sector. Read more
