At the beginning of February, the think tank Zukunft der Gastwelt (DZG) established the task force "Digitalisation & Artificial Intelligence". The aim is to accelerate the digital transformation of the hospitality industry and to provide practical support to small and medium-sized businesses.

By 2050, we will see around 3.5 billion trips. The proportion of travellers in the global population could then grow from 50 to 70 per cent. The outlook for tourism is brighter than ever, says Google. But the rules of the game have changed.

The US further tightens its entry rules for tourists. Those wishing to spend their holidays there will probably have to disclose more information about their lives, including their social media activities.

ALL Accor, the group's booking platform and loyalty program, announced the launch of its ALL Accor app in ChatGPT on 29 January 2026. The app is designed to make booking easier for travelers.

For almost half of Germans, cost is the most important factor when choosing a travel destination. In addition to price, safety, accessibility, and the general economic situation also influence travel decisions. This is because more and more travelers are booking at short notice.

An estimated 1.52 billion international tourists were recorded globally in 2025, almost 60 million more than in 2024. Arrivals grew by 4% in 2025.

The German Hotel Association (IHA) is launching the application phase for its Start-up Award 2026 and invites all start-ups with innovative product developments specific to the hotel industry to apply. 

Travellers are increasingly looking for alternative and affordable ways to explore the world. In addition to short-term rentals, holiday apartments and hotels, house swapping is developing into a travel model in its own right.

On 17 January 2026, after more than 20 years of negotiations, the Agreement on the Protection of the High Seas came into force. It applies to areas of the oceans that lie outside national territorial waters (up to 12 nautical miles) and outside the national exclusive economic zone (up to 200 nautical miles).

The development of artificial intelligence has reached a new level: AI agents are now acting almost autonomously. Consumers are expected to encounter this for the first time this year: while shopping.

The extent to which German cities and municipalities will be affected by climate change in the future varies considerably from region to region. The new "Climate Risk Index" shows this — it has examined natural hazards and forecasts the situation for individual locations up to 2050.

Mulled wine, bratwurst and roasted almonds - these things can be really lucrative. The most visited Christmas markets in Central Europe are in Germany and France and will welcome over 17 million people in 2025 - mainly day trip tourists.

By 2035, most hotel discoveries and bookings will happen through a single AI conversation, at least half of back-office tasks will be automated, and most routine guest requests will be handled by AI agents. Human staff will be left to do what algorithms can't.

The Welcome Hotel Darmstadt has launched a pilot project. Together with Hotelbird and Vingcard, NFC-based wallet keys have been introduced in the hotel. These work without a separate app – and even when your smartphone battery is flat.

US border guards want to scrutinise the social media profiles of short-term visitors, such as tourists and business travellers from Europe. What is behind this data collection?

During the summer flight schedule, around 68.5 million passengers departed from Germany's main airports to destinations abroad. That was 3 million or 4.6% more travellers than in the previous year. However, only Spain, Greece and Turkey saw figures higher than before the pandemic.

Morocco is also committed to responsible tourism: it is massively expanding its rail transport network, while the number of eco-friendly accommodations and local community projects is growing, making the country an interesting and sustainable destination.

Artificial intelligence makes many things easier at work – but who is liable when the tools produce incorrect results? A legal expert explains.

A survey in Austria shows that 84% of the hotels surveyed already offer e-charging stations. Investment and energy costs are the biggest hurdles.

On this week's Wednesday, the European Commission presented proposed amendments to key European digital regulations. This so-called Digital Omnibus affects, among other things, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the AI Act. There has been criticism on many fronts.

Accor is preparing its premium brand Pullman Hotels & Resorts for the future. Under the slogan "Pullman xChange", ambitious ideas have been developed that connect global and local communities at the hotel bar or bring them together in think tanks through culture and art

Lufthansa, Ryanair & Co voluntarily scrap their "green" promises. Critics say this is a kind of indulgence trade – they have won.

The Dutch Reclame Code Commissie (RCC) has reprimanded Booking.com for the hotel star ratings displayed on its OTA platform. There is a lack of transparency and control. 

From Berlin to Copenhagen in just four hours: the EU wants to enable faster rail travel between major cities by 2040 and make short-haul flights less attractive. Will rail companies play along?

Shortly before the start of the World Climate Conference in Brazil, attention is turning to effective climate protection measures. Politicians and businesses are working on climate-neutral energies and the circular economy, but conscious behaviour in everyday life can also make a big difference.

When holidaymakers leave, landlords of holiday homes are often left with more than just memories – especially in the kitchen. What happens to the food that is left behind?

72% of consumers use digital platforms and apps to promote sustainability. Second-hand platforms, comparison portals and smart home technologies are particularly popular.

According to a survey, travellers want their holidays to be tailored precisely to their individual needs. To achieve this, they are willing to experiment and are open to new technologies.

How wonderful it would be to travel in your “own” glass train carriage and observe nature without disturbing or harming it. Every day, you can plan your journey via an app and travel from lakes to forests.

The city of Palma de Mallorca is introducing stricter rules for tourism. The city administration on the holiday island is planning a comprehensive ban on new holiday apartments and hostels.