2023-06-21 18:07:07
The summer travel wave is upon us. After the problems in 2022, airports see themselves better prepared for the onslaught. However, the lack of skilled workers is causing concern for hotels and restaurants.
Despite high inflation and higher prices, people in Germany are not letting their travel mood spoil the most beautiful weeks of the year. Shortly before the start of the summer holidays in the most populous state of North Rhine-Westphalia on Thursday (June 22), organizers are reporting strong demand and have increased capacities in some cases. After the chaos of last summer, airports still have to face the acid test. The industry is confident that things will be better than 2022.
Travel more expensive on average
“Travel prices have risen, no question about it,” says the President of the German Travel Association (DRV), Norbert Fiebig, referring to the overall high level of inflation. As a result of the increased energy costs, the flight component in tour operator trips in particular has become more expensive. In the case of hotels, there would also be higher food prices. Price increases varied depending on destination and hotel. According to an evaluation by the comparison portal Check24, Sardinia, for example, is even a little cheaper than in the summer of 2022. On average, however, package travelers paid around eight percent more for a combination of flight and hotel for the 30 most booked destinations when booking by the end of May than in the summer holidays of 2022.
No big last minute bargains
According to Fiebig, given the high demand and well-utilized capacities, the big last-minute bargains for the summer of 2023 are not to be expected. This year, too, there will be trips for last-minute travelers. “However, due to the slightly lower capacities compared to pre-Corona, the selection will in all likelihood not be as extensive as we have seen before.”
Challenge for airports
Representatives from airports and the travel industry are confident that flight chaos like last year will not be repeated this summer. The situation remains challenging, said the operator of Frankfurt Airport, Fraport. “But we are cautiously optimistic for the coming summer months, together with our partners, to ensure stable operations in FRA with the usual waiting times during the holiday season.”
In particular, staff shortages at airlines and airports caused long waiting times for check-in and problems with luggage last summer.
According to the airport association ADV, processes at airports have been improved and employees recruited, among other things. From the point of view of ADV general manager Ralph Beisel, the largely problem-free course of the Easter holidays was only a first test. “The full efficiency of the processes only becomes apparent in the summer months, when terminals, aprons and the airspace controlled by air traffic control are permanently exposed to maximum loads.”
The 2023 travel season will be much better, but Beisel expects that coping with the peak times will be challenging, depending on the airport and process location. THE tourism manager Sven Schikarsky does not rule out longer waiting times at peak times. “However, we do not assume that there will be another flight chaos like last summer.”
Great desire to go on vacation
“We can see that despite the inflation, the desire for vacation and travel is very great again,” reports DER Touristik product manager Schikarsky: “In terms of sales, we are past summer 2019 and in many destinations also in terms of the number of guests, for example in Spain, in Turkey, Greece, Italy, Egypt and Tunisia.”
According to its own statements, Germany’s largest travel group Tui is looking forward to a strong summer season “and in the last few weeks for the first time again with guest numbers above 2019”. In view of the demand, tour operators such as Alltours and Schauinsland-Reisen have increased flight contingents or, like the special provider Chamäleon Reisen, are offering additional dates for popular destinations.
Tourism between Rügen and Garmisch-Partenkirchen also benefits from people’s desire to travel. “The average booking situation in the German holiday regions is already good,” says the general manager of the German Tourism Association (DTV), Norbert Kunz. In April, the number of overnight stays by guests from Germany and abroad was only 0.2 percent below the pre-Corona level. The number of foreign guests is also increasing again. “In this respect, tourism in Germany looks to the summer season with confidence.”
Skills shortage is a concern
Hotels, restaurants and the like in Germany are also dealing with the issue of a shortage of skilled workers this year. “Hotel and kitchen staff and cleaning staff are urgently needed,” reports Kunz. Especially in the season, service employees are indispensable. “This can mean that opening times are shortened and the range of products, for example on the menu, is reduced.” (dpa)
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