Tourism

Increased willingness of Austrians to travel for the Pentecost weekend 2026

The latest ÖHV Holiday Radar, a representative survey conducted by the Austrian Hotel Association in cooperation with the market research institute Reppublika, predicts a significant upswing in tourism for the upcoming Pentecost holiday. Of the more than 1.000 people surveyed, 30 percent indicated that they had already planned a holiday, while another 19 percent were considering a last-minute decision.

22 May 2026 16:00

DDSG Blue Danube expands its summer program with themed Danube cruises

DDSG Blue Danube, a joint venture between Wien Holding and the Vienna Transport Authority, is significantly expanding its summer services on the Vienna Danube Canal and the Danube River. Following the conclusion of the special cruises for the 70th Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, the long-established company is now focusing on marketing its classic "City Cruises."

22 May 2026 12:08

MSC Cruises' Northern Europe season kicks off in the port of Kiel.

With the departure of the MSC Euribia on May 16, 2026, MSC Cruises officially launched its summer program for Northern Europe from its home port of Kiel. The flagship of the Meraviglia-Plus class will regularly sail to the Norwegian fjords in the coming months. The itinerary includes, among other things, calls at various ports.

22 May 2026 07:01

AeroExpress connects Warsaw and Łódź every 15 minutes.

Poland is facing an infrastructural realignment that will fundamentally change transport links between the capital, Warsaw, and the industrial metropolis of Łódź. At the heart of this development is the AeroExpress (AEX) project, a high-frequency rail system intended to serve as the backbone for Poland's planned new central airport and the growing Warsaw-Łódź Duopolis region.

22 May 2026 04:37

Record numbers in the German cruise market: North Sea and Baltic Sea ports record historic passenger growth

The German cruise industry looks back on a record year and is consolidating its position as one of the most important players in European maritime tourism. According to current data from the Federal Statistical Office, around 1,5 million people took an ocean cruise last year, departing from one of the German ports on the North Sea or Baltic Sea. This corresponds to a

21 May 2026 10:33

Competition investigation against Trip.com by Chinese antitrust authorities

The Chinese market regulator SAMR (State Administration for Market Regulation) has launched a formal investigation into the travel company Trip.com. The company is accused of abusing its dominant market position in the online travel booking sector. The investigation is based on numerous complaints from the hotel industry, with hoteliers accusing the platform of monopolistic practices.

21 May 2026 06:07

Tensions ahead of collective bargaining negotiations in the Austrian tourism sector

In the run-up to the upcoming collective bargaining negotiations for the hotel and restaurant industry, tensions are rising between employer representatives and the vida union. Walter Veit, president of the Austrian Hotel Association (ÖHV), sharply criticizes the current strategy of the employee side and describes the demands as economically untenable. The demand for paid lunch breaks, in particular, is provoking strong reactions.

20 May 2026 13:08

Trends in the adults-only hotel segment for the summer season 2026

Tour operator TUI has published its latest booking trends for summer 2026, revealing continued strong demand for so-called adults-only resorts. These accommodations, reserved exclusively for adult guests, strategically focus on a tranquil atmosphere and specialized services in the areas of sports, dining, and wellness. Market analyses show that

20 May 2026 12:09

Decline in sales in brick-and-mortar travel agencies in April 2026

The German travel agency sector experienced a noticeable downturn in April 2026. According to the latest data from industry service provider Tats, the total invoiced revenue of the approximately 2.500 travel agencies surveyed fell by 4,4 percent compared to the same month of the previous year. Traditional tourism, including cruises, was particularly hard hit, suffering a massive slump of 21,3 percent.

18 May 2026 15:07

Greece consolidates second place in the global Blue Flag ranking 2026

Greece successfully defended its position as the world's second most important destination for quality-assured coastal areas in 2026. A total of 624 Greek beaches received the internationally recognized Blue Flag, an award for water quality and safety standards. The results were presented by the Hellenic National Park Service during an official ceremony on May 14th in Paleo Faliro, near Athens.

18 May 2026 12:09