DERTOUR Group, formerly known as DER Touristik Group, the second-largest tour operator in Europe, provides insights into its dynamic growth journey and latest booking developments. Operating in 16 source markets[1] with over 130 companies and boasting a team of more than 9,200 professionals, the Group was able to profit from a strong demand for travel in 2023.
Last year was marked by a strong demand for travel across markets, leading to an optimistic outlook for the year 2024. “We saw a strong appetite for package holidays across markets with a European-wide trend towards higher quality holidays”, explains Leif Vase Larsen, CEO International DERTOUR Group. Accordingly, in 2023, the Group’s total revenue rose by 23% compared to 2022. There was a 10% increase in European guest numbers over the previous year. Also, the average duration of holidays rose to 8.1 days – exceeding the average stay in 2019 by one day.
Strong early bookings for 2024 holidays reflect renewed traveller confidence. “After a year of robust travel gains, we are noticing that the pent-up demand for travel shows no signs of waning. Consumers remain highly enthusiastic about travel and are seeking the benefits of early bookings and their appealing prices”, clarifies Dr. Ingo Burmester, CEO Central Europe DERTOUR Group. “As a diverse and international tourism group with more than 20 tour operators and around 30 specialist travel brands, we are committed to providing extraordinary travel experiences for travellers across Europe with an increased focus on more individual travel options in 2024. We are also intensifying our collaboration across our international teams.”
Booking Update Winter Holidays 2023/24
As the current winter season[2] unfolds, DERTOUR Group’s booking analysis of its 16 European markets shines a light on travel trends across Europe, revealing a 24% surge in revenue compared to the previous winter season (2022/23) and a 17% increase in guest numbers. Top destinations for short- and mid-haul travel include Spain, Egypt, Germany, Italy, and Türkiye.
At the same time, winter bookings are signalling a strong comeback for long-distance travel with almost every third guest opting for faraway destinations. The long-haul preferences extend to the Middle East (UAE, Jordan, and Oman amongst others), Indian Ocean, Caribbean, Thailand, and North America. “We see a rising interest in travel to the Arabian Peninsula – which sends a positive signal to the flourishing tourism landscape in this part of the world”, says Leif Vase Larsen.
| Top 5 short- and mid-haul travel (Winter 2023/24) * | Top 5 long-haul travel (Winter 2023/24) * |
| Spain | 1. Middle East (UAE, Jordan, Oman & others) |
| Egypt | 2. Indian Ocean |
| Germany | 3. Caribbean |
| Italy | 4. Thailand |
| Türkiye | 5. North America |
Up-and-coming winter destinations include India and Southeast Asian favourites such as Vietnam and Indonesia. Amongst short- and mid-haul destinations, Croatia, Türkiye, and Tunisia are at the top ranks as reflected in the highest year-over-year guest growth.
Booking Outlook Summer Holidays 2024
DERTOUR Group’s booking metrics for the summer season[3] 2024 continue to paint an optimistic picture, with a substantial 30% increase in revenue and a 24% rise in guests compared to the 2023 season. This increase in guest numbers reflects a strong demand for summer getaways, especially in the Mediterranean region. Short- and mid-haul summer favourites of European guests include Greece, Türkiye, Spain, Tunisia, and Egypt while long-haul choices span the Indian Ocean, North America, the Caribbean, Middle East (UAE, Jordan, and Oman amongst others), as well as Thailand.
New year-round favourites
The analysis also identifies the up-and-coming summer destinations with the highest year-over-year guest growth rates, which are currently grabbing the attention of travellers. Former winter destinations like Vietnam, India, and Indonesia, which European travellers used to opt for to escape the cold, are increasingly gaining traction amongst the faraway summer travel destinations – making them year-round favourites. For short- and mid-haul destinations, Portugal, Türkiye, and Bulgaria are on the rise, signalling the growing importance of the quality-price-ratio for European travellers.
“We see a trend towards former winter destinations like UAE or Thailand turning into year-round getaways triggered by the high quality of travel and lodging experiences at very attractive prices in summer”, explains Leif Vase Larsen.
| Top 5 short- and mid-haul travel (Summer 2024) * | Top 5 long-haul travel (Summer 2024) * |
| 1.) Greece | 1.) Indian Ocean |
| 2.) Türkiye | 2.) North America |
| 3.) Spain | 3.) Caribbean |
| 4.) Tunisia | 4.) Middle East (UAE, Jordan, Oman & others) |
| 5.) Egypt | 5.) Thailand |
European trend towards more individual travel
In addition to offering holiday experiences in the most sought-after destinations, DERTOUR Group is responding to new travel trends, which are evolving in the different markets. This summer, almost one third of DERTOUR Group’s European guests are opting for a 5-star hotel, reflecting a strong interest in high-end travel experiences. “At the same time, we see that luxury is defined in various ways and can also mean experiencing nature, wellbeing or local cultures”, explains Leif Vase Larsen. “In our markets, we see trends ranging from sports and outdoor travel to immersive holiday experiences – demonstrating an overall growing preference for more individual and unique travel.” The specialist landscape covered by DERTOUR Group today includes around 30 brands offering highly individual travel experiences for specific target groups and travel interests, such as diving or golf holidays, luxury travel or travel to Nordic countries. Also, the Group’s growing hotel portfolio, which covers 10 brands with more than 100 hotels in 14 countries, is expanding its travel experience towards higher individuality, with concepts such as the new boutique-style hotel brand ananea.
Media contact
Corporate Communications
t: +49 69 9588-8000
presse@dertouristik.com
Background:
DERTOUR Group has its head office in Cologne, Germany, and is REWE Group’s travel and tourism division. As one of Europe’s leading travel groups, DERTOUR Group encompasses more than 130 companies and employs more than 9,200 people in 16 European countries. Every year, millions of guests travel with one of the group’s tour operators or specialists. DERTOUR Group includes tour operators such as DERTOUR, ITS, Meiers Weltreisen, Kuoni, Helvetic Tours, ITS Coop Travel, Billa Reisen, Koning Aap, Apollo, Exim Tours, and Fischer, as well as more than 2,100 travel agencies (such as DERTOUR, DERPART, Kuoni, Exim, and Fischer, as well as franchises and partners), the hotel brands Sentido, Aldiana, Calimera and COOEE, and the online travel agency Prijsvrij Vakanties. The DERTOUR Group also offers on-site support: The company runs an agency network with 72 offices in 30 travel destinations. The staff in the destination agencies assist the guests of the DERTOUR Group from their arrival at their holiday destination until their departure. For more information, go to our corporate website.
[1] The 16 source markets cover countries in North, Central, and Eastern Europe.
[2] Winter season runs from 1 November 2023 to 30 April 2024. The booking numbers for this period include cumulated bookings from DERTOUR Group’s tour operators in 16 markets, reporting date 11 February 2024.
[3] Summer season runs from 1 May 2024 to 31 October 2024. The booking numbers for this period include cumulated bookings from DERTOUR Group’s tour operators in 16 markets, reporting date 11 February 2024.