Germans' desire to travel remains unbroken despite crises

Despite growing global tensions, Germans are spending more on travel than ever before. At the opening of ITB Berlin 2026 on Monday, Albin Loidl, President of the German Travel Association (DRV), gave a positive assessment of 2025 in travel. He also looked ahead to the coming summer with optimism. Holidaymakers were booking earlier and placing greater emphasis on safety and quality, said Loidl. With regard to the current developments in Iran, he stated that the situation was being monitored with great concern. For the industry, the safety of travelers and employees was the top priority; tour operators were monitoring the situation on the ground very closely. At the same time, Loidl expressed his hope for de-escalation and a diplomatic solution. The events served as a reminder of how closely networked – and at the same time how fragile – the industry could be; especially in times like these, travel connects people. The eastern Mediterranean and Spain were once again the main summer travel destinations.

According to Loidl, Germans spent a record 88 billion euros on travel bookings last year, five per cent more than the previous year and 20 billion more than before the pandemic. "Travel is not a luxury, it is a part of life," Loidl said, "especially in times of economic uncertainty and global challenges."

Package travel market grew by nine per cent
The package holiday market displayed particularly dynamic growth, and with an increase of over nine per cent reached 43.4 billion euros. 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 as reasons for this.

"At the same time, however, we are also seeing a more cautious approach to spending," the DRV president said. In restaurants at holiday destinations it has fallen, and less is being spent on excursions. Travel itself was “a given“. Indeed, all-inclusive packages were on the rise, but people then saved money at their destination..

The early booking trend already observed in 2025 was continuing in 2026, said Loidl. Summer sales were already seven per cent higher than last year. Traveller numbers were already up by four per cent.

Cruises are still an industry mainstay
According to Loidl, cruises and package flights would be the mainstay of upcoming summer travel. Transparent prices and attractive all-inclusive packages were arguments in favour of cruise holidays. Air travel sales had increased by 14 per cent and air passenger numbers by 12 per cent. The travel industry and air transport were thus co-dependent. Loidl again appealed for attractive and affordable domestic flights, without which Germany would become less competitive internationally in the tourism sector.