News & Stories

Since 2020, around 48,000 businesses in the hospitality sector have closed across Germany and 6,100 have filed for insolvency. Experts estimate: There could be even more this year, as the catering industry is suffering greatly from the current crises.

Whether corona, multiple crises, climate awareness or new poverty are the causes remains to be seen. But in the 54th year of its existence, the travel analysis (RA 2024) is recording unusual changes. Especially when looking back at German holiday behaviour in the previous year. 

The clear upward trend in travel bookings is making the industry euphoric. Consumers are primarily using online channels for this purpose - now including 50 to 69-year-olds. However, there is still room for improvement when it comes to the digitalisation of offers.

When Travel Charme Hotels, a small, fine German resort group, was sold to Hirmer, a Munich-based clothing retailer from outside the industry, in 2018, it sounded like a promising new approach. Six years later, Hirmer Hospitality sold the operating companies of the 12 hotels and resorts to DSR Hotel Holding, which is backed by a tour operator and a food giant.

Good news from the European resort world: almost all of them have exceeded their 2019 ADR by double digits, although occupancy rates have mostly remained low. Coasts and islands remain popular, but new destinations are also opening up.

The hospitality industry in Germany has still not reached pre-corona levels despite sales growth in 2023. Losses are above average, especially in the catering sector.

This year, the business travel market is expected to fully recover and return to 2019 levels. Business travellers are now more demanding and strive to get the maximum benefit from every trip. This has an impact. 

Emirates-based ENVI Lodges has inked a deal with Blue Ocean Capital France (BOCF) to construct four high-end, sustainable lodges in France, marking the commencement of ENVI's European expansion. 

A multitude of new ideas will bear fruit in the tourism industry. The importance of influencers and AI will grow, but new offer models will also be developed. A recent study by Amadeus looks into the near future and offers some astonishing insights.

Overnights in Swiss hotels rose by 6.3% year-on-year to an all-time record high of 23.9mn for the recent summer season (May – October), in spite of a strong Swiss franc and declines in the sector's two leading markets.