Market Update - 20.08.2026

CURRENT MAJOR TOPICS WITHIN THE TOURISM INDUSTRY IN THE DACH REGION

Solo Travel Gains Popularity in Europe: A new Dertour Group study shows that Slow Travel, digital detox holidays and solo trips are becoming increasingly popular among European travellers, reflecting a growing desire for more individual and meaningful travel experiences. Germany stands out in particular, with more than 36 percent of respondents considering travelling alone within the next twelve months, the highest figure among the markets surveyed. Slow Travel is also gaining momentum, with 53.2 percent of European travellers interested in a slower pace and 68 percent of Germans wanting to take more time to unwind while on holiday. Nearly half of European travellers also see holidays as an opportunity to disconnect from digital distractions and focus more on their surroundings. The growing interest in solo travel is creating new demand for suitable products, including single rooms without supplements, small group experiences and opportunities to meet like minded travellers. Read more.

Swiss Travellers Embrace Slow Travel: Swiss travellers are increasingly looking for more time, meaningful experiences and less pressure when they go on holiday, according to the latest European Travel Trend Report by Dertour Group. Some 60% say they choose slow travel to experience destinations more intensively, while 84% want to slow down during their holidays and get to know the local culture, nature and people more closely. For 81%, a smaller number of particularly memorable experiences is more appealing than a packed itinerary. The trend is also reflected in Dertour Suisse’s portfolio, with brands such as Railtour, Kontiki and Cotravel offering rail journeys, nature focused trips and small group tours that allow travellers to engage more deeply with destinations. Read more.

Last Minute Fails to Fully Close the 2026 Booking Gap: The German travel industry is taking a mixed view of the 2026 last minute business, with the expected summer boom largely failing to materialise. While online travel providers report strong demand, particularly for July and August, traditional travel agencies remain more cautious and continue to see booking levels below the previous year. Overall, the booking gap that emerged in March is unlikely to be fully closed, with industry figures expecting 2026 to remain below the record results of previous years. However, improving bookings for autumn and winter offer some potential to recover part of the shortfall, with several tour operators recently reporting stronger weekly booking figures. Read more.

Heat Is Increasingly Influencing Swiss Holiday Planning: Rising summer temperatures are beginning to shape when and where Swiss travellers go on holiday, according to a Dertour Suisse survey of 1,000 people. Around 27% have already adjusted their travel plans because of the heat, while another 29% expect to do so in the future, with younger generations particularly responsive to rising temperatures. Cooler destinations are gaining popularity, with 69% finding summer holidays in cooler regions attractive and demand for Coolcation destinations such as Scandinavia, Scotland, Iceland and Canada increasing by around 21% over the past five years. Travellers are also increasingly avoiding the hottest months or adapting activities and travel times, although price, nature and relaxation remain more important than temperature alone. Read more.

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CURRENT TOPICS WITHIN THE TRANSPORTATION INDUSTRY IN GERMANY & EUROPE

Airlines raise ticket prices as fuel costs soar: Rising kerosene prices are putting significant pressure on airlines and prompting carriers to raise fares. According to an analysis by Cirium for Handelsblatt, European low-cost airlines Ryanair, EasyJet and Wizz Air increased average prices on intra-European routes by 15.4% between February and May 2026, from $73.14 to $84.37. Compared with May 2025, fares were up 39.2%. European network airlines Lufthansa, Air France-KLM and IAG raised prices on European routes by 7.2% between February and May and by 10.3% year on year. Transatlantic fares also increased by around 20% for European carriers and 22% for United, Delta and American Airlines compared with the period before the Iran conflict. Business Class prices, however, remained comparatively stable and even declined slightly, as airlines seek to retain lucrative premium customers. With carriers looking to offset higher fuel costs and weaker first-half earnings, further fare increases are considered likely. Read more.

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DESTINATION NEWS

EGYPT: Egypt records visitor growth despite Iran conflict: Egypt welcomed around 9 million international visitors in the first half of 2026, an increase of 4% year on year, despite a slowdown in bookings following the outbreak of the Iran conflict in March. Germany was the country’s second-largest source market after Russia, with Egypt having welcomed 1.9 million German visitors in 2025. New air connections from Europe and the Middle East are supporting connectivity, while short-term demand recovered during the summer as tour operators and hotels offered last-minute discounts. Egypt is also focusing on diversifying its tourism offering, with the newly opened Grand Egyptian Museum attracting more than three million visitors between December 2025 and June 2026, 60% of them from abroad. The government aims to increase visitor numbers by 5–7% in 2026 and plans to launch a Tourism Investment Platform by mid-2027 to facilitate foreign investment in new hotel capacity. Read more.

AUSTRALIA: Australia sees strong growth in bookings from Germany: Australia is experiencing a strong booking recovery from the German market. Specialist operator Australia Unlimited reports more than twice as many Australia bookings in 2026 compared with the same period last year, with tailor-made self-drive tours particularly popular. Demand is also becoming more evenly distributed throughout the year, as travelers increasingly view Australia as a year-round destination rather than primarily a winter escape. Tourism Australia recorded almost 180,000 German visitors in 2025, up 7% year on year. Longer stays are also gaining traction, with many travelers spending 18–20 days in Australia while another segment stays for 40 days or more. Depending on the season, travelers are increasingly choosing routes tailored to regional conditions – including South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland from October to April, while Western Australia and the Northern Territory are more prominent from May to September. Read more.

MALLORCA: Mallorca Promotes Respectful Tourism: Mallorca has launched a new campaign aimed at strengthening respectful coexistence between visitors and local residents. Under the slogan “One rule to experience Mallorca: I for you, you for me,” the initiative promotes consideration, empathy and shared responsibility, with a focus on protecting nature, respecting local traditions and using public spaces responsibly. The campaign is being rolled out through local, national and international media, digital channels and outdoor advertising. It forms part of a broader strategy to develop a tourism model that combines quality and sustainability with the interests of the local population, while reinforcing Mallorca’s identity as both a popular holiday destination and home to nearly one million people. Read more.

CANADA: Five New Hotels Highlight Canada’s Diverse Travel Experiences: Canada is welcoming five new and renovated hotels that make accommodation part of the destination experience. Highlights include the waterfront Claramount Club in Prince Edward County, the redesigned Hôtel Nelligan in Montréal, the Indigenous led Wahous Wilderness Lodge on Vancouver Island, the newly upgraded Fort Garry Hotel in Winnipeg and the renovated Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge in the Rocky Mountains. Together, the properties combine nature, heritage, Indigenous culture and upscale comfort, showcasing the diversity of Canada’s accommodation offering. Read more.

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