Germans’ desire to travel remains uninterrupted despite crises | News
Albin Loidl, chairman of the German Travel Association (DRV), during the opening press conference of the ITB Berlin 2026.
Despite rising global tensions, Germans are spending more on travel than ever before. At the opening of ITB Berlin 2026 on Monday, Albin Loidl, chairman of the German Travel Association (DRV), gave a positive assessment of 2025 in the field of travel. He also looked optimistically ahead to the coming summer. Holidaymakers booked earlier and placed more emphasis on safety and quality, Loidl said. Regarding current developments in Iran, he stated that the situation is being monitored with great concern. The safety of travelers and employees was the top priority for the industry; tour operators were closely monitoring the situation on the ground. At the same time, Loidl expressed his hope for de-escalation and a diplomatic solution. The events reminded us how closely connected – and at the same time how vulnerable – the sector could be; especially in times like these, travel connects people. The Eastern Mediterranean and Spain were again the main summer travel destinations.
According to Loidl, Germans spent a record 88 billion euros on travel bookings last year, five percent more than the year before and 20 billion more than before the pandemic. “Travel is not a luxury, it is part of life,” Loidl said, “especially in times of economic uncertainty and global challenges.”
The package travel market grew by nine percent
The package travel market showed particularly dynamic growth and reached a value of 43.4 billion euros with an increase of more than nine percent. This meant that almost one in two euros invested went to tour operators. Loidl cited a growing need for security and the desire for transparent costs, protection against financial losses and professional support in crises.
“At the same time, however, we also see a more cautious approach to expenditure,” said the DRV chairman. Restaurants at holiday destinations have fallen and less is spent on excursions. Travel itself was “a given”. The all-inclusive packages were indeed on the rise, but people were saving money at the destination.
The trend of early bookings already observed in 2025 continued in 2026, Loidl said. Summer turnover was already seven percent higher than last year. The number of travelers had already increased by four percent.
Cruises are still a mainstay in the industry
According to Loidl, cruises and package flights would be the mainstay of the coming summer trips. Transparent prices and attractive all-inclusive packages were arguments in favor of cruise holidays. Air travel sales increased by 14 percent and the number of airline passengers increased by 12 percent. So the travel industry and air transport were dependent on each other. Loidl again appealed for attractive and affordable domestic flights, without which Germany would become less competitive internationally in the tourism sector.
