Government intends to alleviate the tourism sector in Germany
Christoph Ploß, the German government's tourism coordinator, has presented a comprehensive five-point plan aimed at strengthening the country's tourism industry. The plan, which is being implemented by Ploß (CDU), focuses on reducing costs, streamlining bureaucracy, and improving transport connections.
- Tax Relief and Reversal of Air Traffic Tax Increase
Ploß has advocated for cancelling the planned increase in the air travel tax for 2026 and reducing charges at German airports. He emphasises that failure to do so could lead to a further decline in flight connections, negatively impacting tourism and transport connectivity.
- Flexible Working Hours for Tourism Sector Employees
While specific details are not yet available, Ploß's plan implies the need for improving working conditions, including flexible working hours, to help tourism companies manage workforce challenges and enhance service quality.
- Improvements in Transport Connections
Ploß emphasises the importance of maintaining and expanding flight connections by removing tax burdens and airport charges, thus improving accessibility for tourists and fostering economic activity in the sector.
- Reduction of Bureaucracy
Although specific bureaucratic cuts are not yet itemised, the general tone from the federal tourism coordination office supports bureaucratic reduction to ease the operational burden on companies and speed up project implementation in tourism and related infrastructures.
- Easing Financial Burdens on Companies
The federal government has increased or maintained funding for tourism promotion to provide stable support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in tourism such as hotels, restaurants, transport providers, and retailers. This financial stability is part of Ploß’s overall strategy to strengthen the sector in a volatile global environment.
Additionally, the plan aims to reduce documentation and reporting obligations in the catering industry. Ploß stated that the goal of the plan is to increase the competitiveness of the sector and ease the financial burden on companies. The gradual reduction of fees for package tours into the German travel security fund has been decided, starting from 1% currently, down to 0.75% in September, and 0.5% in November.
Package tours remain insured in case of insolvency, according to the five-point plan. The simplification of visa issuance for tourists and business travelers is also a part of the plan, with funds budgeted for the digitisation of Schengen visas for the year 2026.
In summary, Ploß’s plan focuses on removing or reversing fiscal taxes that hamper air travel, supporting flexible labor practices, enhancing transport connectivity, streamlining bureaucracy, and providing stable financial support to tourism SMEs to secure and promote Germany’s competitiveness as a travel destination.
- The federal government is increasing or maintaining funding for tourism promotion to ease financial burdens on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the sector, as part of Christoph Ploß's strategy to strengthen Germany as a competitive travel destination.
- In addition to streamlining bureaucracy, Ploß's plan also aims to reduce documentation and reporting obligations in the catering industry, with the goal of increasing competitiveness and easing financial burdens on companies. Furthermore, the plan includes simplifying visa issuance for tourists and business travelers through digitalization of Schengen visas in the year 2026.
