DRV Travel Agency Day: Fiebig calls for political support for the industry!

DRV Travel Agency Day: Fiebig calls for political support for the industry!

The DRV Travel Agency Day took place in Frankfurt on May 13, 2025, an important event for the travel industry, which brought together around 100 guests. DRV President Norbert Fiebig took the opportunity to talk about the current situation in the industry. Fiebig explained that the travel industry is under pressure from new EU rules and growing bureaucracy and called for more support from politicians.

A central theme of the travel agency day was the search for ways to increase profits. In addition to the question of how digitalization can be advanced, securing young talent also played an important role. The focus was particularly on the future of stationary sales, which faces major challenges in times of digital change.

EU plans and their effects

The industry's expectations are additionally burdened by the EU Parliament's current plans. Two drafts to revise the package travel directive were presented. According to new proposals from the Consumer Protection Committee, the category of "connected travel services" could be expanded, despite the original aim to abolish it. This would mean that travel agencies would be legally treated like tour operators, which would entail new liability and insurance obligations.

A new version of the right of withdrawal is also planned. In the future, customers should also be able to cancel free of charge if there are disruptions to their place of residence, for example due to strikes or floods. However, this regulation could result in a significant financial burden for organizers. Furthermore, capping the deposit at 25 percent is viewed as controversial, as many travel lawyers consider this to be unnecessary and potentially harmful.

Further regulatory proposals and timeline

The plans also include the introduction of binding complaints and arbitration systems as well as possible sanctions for rule violations. At the same time, however, there are warnings about over-regulation, which could result in disproportionate penalties. Until an agreement is reached in the trilogue between Parliament, the Council and the Commission, the implementation of the new directive is not planned for the end of 2027 or the beginning of 2028 at the earliest, which could significantly restrict the scope of action of national legislators.

These developments make it clear that the travel industry must prepare for significant change. Norbert Fiebig's calls for greater political support and a market-oriented approach could become even more important given the challenges ahead. The signs suggest that both travel agents and operators are facing a turbulent time.