In the 2024 financial year, the DERTOUR Group benefited from the continued widespread appetite for travel in Europe. Despite geopolitically and economically challenging times, we were once again able to record a strong increase in demand for travel – a trend that continues in 2025. As the focus on material goods is decreasing, the importance of experiences continues to grow. Especially in times of change and digital distance, consumers are consciously investing in their well-being and authentic emotional experiences that offer a refreshing escape from everyday life. Demand for long-haul holidays and lasting memories was correspondingly high in the past financial year.
The strong growth in guests and sales was reflected in record sales results in 2024, which were published today by REWE Group. With an increase of +21.7 per cent, the invoiced turnover rose to 8.7 billion euros in 2024. This means that the DERTOUR Group once again grew profitably. Despite increasingly intense competition in the travel market, our tour operators, which are present in 16 European source markets, were able to match the pre-pandemic level of customer numbers – which was already exceeded in Eastern Europe in 2023. The increase in guest numbers of +19% compared to the previous year was also supported by developments in the German market, which recorded the highest guest growth (+23%). In addition to the positive increase in demand for long-haul travel, the market exit of FTI also had an impact on the guest balance. Regardless of this, the percentage guest growth in Germany was already in double digits above the previous year even before the FTI exit.
These good results are due to the dedicated work of the ‘Trusted Travel Team’ of over 10,000 DERTOUR colleagues, who advise our guests with passion and create extraordinary travel experiences for them every day. Therefore, I would like to sincerely thank all our employees in our markets and destinations. I would also like to thank our partners, with whom we would like to continue to grow together in the future. As the new CEO of DERTOUR Group, I am very much looking forward to building on this strong foundation and, together with the Executive Board, continuing to drive forward the Group’s profitable and sustainable growth.
Single point of contact, maximum variety, attractive prices – Package holidays tailored for today
What I consider particularly important is that the positive development in demand underlines the strong popularity of package holidays, which, in particular in times of global uncertainty, offer a high degree of security and comfort for many travellers. They guarantee guests a point of contact and service for all questions concerning flights, hotels or transfers.
In addition to this high level of comfort and comprehensive security, package holidays today also promise a wide variety of experiences and destinations. Thanks to the flexible combination of different travel options, they can be individually adapted and thus appeal to a wide range of target groups. We are, therefore, optimistic about the current financial year and are addressing a diverse range of target groups with a highly differentiated offering. Our guests benefit from our purchasing advantages, which enable us to offer very attractive prices compared to individual holidays. In addition, we are pushing ahead with the expansion of our specialist tour operators across Europe, which already include over 30 brands and are tailored to specific travel interests or destinations – for even more travel variety.
Investment in strategic growth areas
With the support of our parent company, REWE Group, we were also able to invest in important strategic growth areas in 2024. This underlines REWE Group’s determination to strengthen Germany and Europe as a business location, even in challenging times.
In addition to further expansion in the specialist sector, we were also able to significantly expand our hotel division, which now includes 120 hotels. One focus of the expansion was to establish a leading position in the German-speaking holiday hotel industry. This was achieved with the acquisition of a majority stake in DSR Hotel Holding and the purchase of Travel Charme Hotels & Resorts. Both acquisitions secured 34 hotels and resorts in prime locations in Germany, Austria and Italy for the DERTOUR Group. Our Hotel Division has also strengthened its presence in popular holiday destinations in the medium and long-haul segment by opening 19 new hotels and acquiring two Aldiana Clubs. We intend to continue this growth with a clear focus on individuality and quality in order to make a sustainable contribution to the Group’s earnings.
We are also very pleased about the new addition to our brand family with the planned acquisition of the Hotelplan Group (excluding Interhome), which will further strengthen our presence in Switzerland, Germany and the UK.
Image material: Christoph Debus
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Photo caption: Christoph Debus, CEO DERTOUR Group
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Corporate Communications
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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 over 10,000 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 around 2,000 travel agencies (such as DERTOUR, DERPART, Kuoni, Exim, and Fischer, plus franchises and partners), the hotel brands Sentido, Aldiana, and ananea and the online travel agency Prijsvrij Vakanties. The DERTOUR Group also offers on-site support: The company runs an agency network with 71 offices in 31 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 www.dertour-group.com.
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