v-i-r.de
  • Link to Facebook
  • Link to LinkedIn
  • Link to Instagram
  • Association
    • About the Association of Online Travel Agencies (VIR)
    • Membership
    • Partnerships
    • VIR Members
  • News
    • Newsletter
    • Press
    • 1/4 Jahrhundert Digitalisierung im Tourismus
  • Events
    • VIR Innovation Days
    • Travel Startup Night
    • Innovation Shorts
    • VIR Startup Week
    • AI Barcamp
  • Politics & Law
    • Politics
      • Tourism is diverse!
      • Action Alliance for Tourism Diversity
    • Law
    • Travel Mediation
  • Studies
    • VIR Facts and Figures on the Online Travel Market
      • 2026
      • 2025
  • Startups
  • Careers in Tourism
    • Degree in Tourism
    • Tourism Jobs
  • Consumer Tips
  • Sustainable Tourism
    • VIR's Commitment
    • Political aspirations
    • Certifications
  • Click to open the search field Click to open the search field Search
  • Menu Menu

Passionate about developing and promoting digital technologies in the tourism sector

This is the Association of Online Travel Agencies (VIR)

The Association for Online Travel Distribution (VIR) is an association of companies and experts from the tourism industry. As an association, we strive to represent the interests of our members in the media, in politics, and among consumers, and to promote cooperation among the various stakeholders in the digital tourism industry. We provide a platform for the exchange of knowledge, experiences, and best practices to jointly address the challenges and opportunities of the digital age. Supporting startups is particularly important to us as a means of bringing innovation to the industry. We support sustainable development in tourism and therefore promote industry initiatives. Both within the VIR and in collaboration with itsmembers, measures are taken to ensure sustainable tourism. In addition, we organize webinars and events and publish studies to keep our members up to date and provide them with the tools to succeed in the digital age.

We invite you to learn more about the work of VIR and to join our association. Together, we can drive the digital tourism industry forward and steer the tourism sector in an exciting and forward-looking direction.

Learn more about us

Get your tickets now for the VIR Innovation Days 2026!

The Association for Internet Travel Distribution (VIR) has created a professional forum to bring together visionary individuals with innovative ideas and decision-makers in the digital travel industry—these are the annual VIR Innovation Days. The VIR OIT has been a key event on the calendars of tourism professionals since 2010. The event focuses on the latest developments, innovations, and trends in the digital travel industry.

Join us on June 23 & 24, 2026, for another two days filled with forward-thinking insights, creative energy, and trend-setting discussions. In the heart of Berlin, at Design Offices Berlin Humboldthafen, you’ll find a mix of presentations, panels, and workshops all focused on the future. Under the theme “Vision 2030 – The Future of the Digital Travel Industry,” our goal is to shape the future of tourism and to promote sustainable growth and the critical decisions needed for long-term success. We will also explore how technologies, customer expectations, and business models contribute to a more sustainable, resilient, and responsible ecosystem—for companies, employees, and the entire industry.

Get your tickets now!

Info-circled Info-circled More information about the event Basketball Basketball Go to the ticket shop

VIR Facts & Figures on the Online Travel Market 2026

VIR Facts & Figures 2026

Online flipbook version Download PDF Info-circled Info-circled More details

In 2026, the Association of Online Travel Agencies (VIR) will publish the 21st edition of its “VIR Facts & Figures on the Online Travel Market.”

The findings show that the German travel market has undergone further structural changes in 2025. For 77% of all trips, at least one travel service is now booked online—up from 74% in 2024. At the same time, one in six people in Germany (17%) has already used artificial intelligence for travel planning. Despite economic uncertainties, travel remains an integral part of life for people in Germany. The German travel market is thus not undergoing spectacular growth, but rather profound structural changes: it is becoming more price-conscious, more digital, and increasingly AI-driven—all while demand remains robust.

We are making all the results available to you free of charge in the latest issue of “VIR Facts and Figures on the Online Travel Market.”

impulse4travel 2030

Since the publication of the last impulse4travel manifesto in 2020, the industry and the world have changed rapidly. To address these developments, five years after the first manifesto, the VIR, together with Realizing Progress and experts from across the tourism industry, has once again looked to the future of tourism. This has resulted in a vision for tourism in 2030.

The manifesto describes tourism through eight key aspects. At its core is the vision of tourism as a shaper of the future and of living environments—for both locals and visitors. Tourism is not viewed as a secondary economic cluster, but rather as an active force that enhances quality of life, fosters social cohesion, enables cultural vitality, assumes ecological responsibility, and ensures regional value creation. The industry can only remain sustainable if it contributes to securing and improving quality of life, promotes good working conditions, and consistently fulfills its responsibilities toward the climate and society. In this context, sustainability and appreciation are seen as opportunities for sustainable action and place a consistent values-based orientation at the center of market strategy. Openness and networking are viewed as drivers of innovation, while the ethical shaping of socio-technical relationships—such as in the handling of data and AI—is emphasized.

Browse the VIR Facts & Figures 2025 online

Release of the impulse4travel 2030 Manifesto
Learn more about the manifesto Download

Our Commitment to the Industry

VIR Events

The VIR organizes a variety of events that serve as a platform for sharing knowledge, experiences, and best practices. At these events, established professionals in the tourism industry, as well as startups and students, are provided with the tools they need to succeed in the digital age.

VIR Searches for Talent

Through the search4talents initiative, the VIR has created a platform for young professionals designed to support them as they enter the tourism industry through various events and job postings.

VIR Market Research News

As the trade association representing the German digital travel industry, VIR focuses on market research to examine developments within the sector and their implications, particularly the evolution of digital business models as part of its "Facts & Figures on the Online Travel Market" initiative.

The VIR represents the political interests of its members and maintains close contact with the Bundestag and government ministries. Together with other tourism associations, we have founded the Action Alliance for Tourism Diversity (ATV). We collaborate with ETTSA on EU policy decisions.

VIR Industry News

VIR provides the latest updates from the world of digital tourism. We cover current developments, explore specific topics, and offer insights through articles by various experts. Our news channel focuses on topics related to events, media, market research, politics, and legal matters.

Startups

Start-ups are a top priority for the association and have had their own cluster since 2017. The VIR is always interested in supporting travel start-ups and promoting innovation. Through the TIC & VIR Travel Start-up Nights, there is always close contact with the market of newcomers.

The Action Alliance for Tourism Diversity (ATV) brings together 27 tourism industry associations. Their shared goal is to preserve the diverse tourism landscape. The Action Alliance speaks with one voice to policymakers and the public, representing the interests of the industry.

Chain4Travel Travel Technology Company

VIR is an active validator on Chain4Travel’s Camino mainnet. Chain4Travel is a travel technology company that, through Camino, has created a consortium blockchain tailored to the needs of the travel industry. Camino offers a versatile development network that enables a completely new way of interacting with the travelers of the future.

VIR is a member of the “Association for the Promotion of an Open Tourism Data Standard” (OTDS e.V.). OTDS e.V. has set itself the goal of establishing OTDS as an open, free, and standardized data format in the tourism industry—and has been successful in doing so: Today, the most important distribution systems preferentially process OTDS, which many tour operators and their technology service providers use to transmit their product data.

The VIR is a founding member of Deutsche Reisesicherungsfonds GmbH, which protects travelers’ advance payments and ensures their return transportation in the event of a travel provider’s insolvency. As of November 1, 2021, every travel provider generating annual revenue of over EUR 10 million in Germany must now obtain coverage from the DRSF in the event of insolvency.

impulse4travel logo

Five years after the first impulse4travel manifesto, the VIR, in collaboration with Realizing Progress and experts from across the tourism industry, has once again looked toward the future of tourism. This has resulted in a vision for tourism in 2030. Across eight key areas, the manifesto describes tourism as a shaper of the future. Sustainability and appreciation are seen as opportunities for future-oriented action and place a consistent focus on values at the center of market orientation. Openness and networking are viewed as drivers of innovation, while the ethical shaping of socio-technical relationships—such as in the handling of data and AI—is emphasized.

The VIR supports sustainable development in tourism and therefore promotes initiatives within the industry. The VIR is also a founding member of the KlimaLink association. KlimaLink is an initiative that emerged from the industry project “Climate-Conscious Travel.” As part of this project by Futouris e. V., work has begun on developing a standard for calculating the carbon footprint of travel.

Innovation Shorts is a project by VIR and team neusta that emerged from the VIR Innovation Days to promote innovation in tourism throughout the year. These free monthly virtual sessions invite the entire tourism industry to participate in developments, engage in discussion, and get creative. The sessions leverage the external knowledge and ideas of all participants to discuss specific problems and challenges facing the industry and to collaboratively find solutions.

The“ReiseLab”research project, co-founded by VIR at the Center for Market-Oriented Tourism Research (CenTouris) at the University of Passau, is funded by the Bavarian State Ministry of Food, Agriculture, Forestry, and Tourism. Its goal is to support the transformation processes in travel distribution and identify new opportunities for the industry in Bavaria.

VIR has been a member of the Arbitration Board since 2019 and supports alternative dispute resolution as an effective means of fostering customer loyalty and (where applicable) restoring customer satisfaction. With its specialized team—including 25 fully qualified lawyers—and well-designed, partially automated processes, the SRUV guarantees professional and efficient arbitration proceedings.

VIR News Channel

Revision of the Package Travel Directive

OTA’s erhalten keine Vorzugsbehandlung bei der EU-Pauschalreiserichtlinie

News, Politik, VIR Pressemeldungen
Mit „totalem Unverständnis“ reagiert der VIR auf die Aussagen des DRV im Rahmen des Hauptstadtkongresses über eine Bevorzugung von OTA’s und einer Benachteiligung klassischer Veranstalter bei der EU-Pauschalreiserichtlinie.
Read more
18. Oktober 2023
https://v-i-r.de/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/PM-DRV-PRL.png 400 400 Laura Rimböck https://v-i-r.de/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/logo-website-vir-340-165-300x146.png Laura RimböckOctober 18, 2023, 11:29:41 AMOctober 18, 2023 3:35:45 PMOTAs Do Not Receive Preferential Treatment Under the EU Package Travel Directive
An Interview with VIR Member Heymundo

Was macht eigentlich das Travel Start-up heymundo?

News, Start-ups, Was macht eigentlich...?
heymundo offers a wide selection of open group tours specifically designed for young people—that is, trips you can book on your own or with friends but experience as part of a larger group of like-minded travelers. In our latest "What Does... Do?" blog post, you can read our interview with Patrick Bauer, founder of heymundo, and learn more about the startup.
Read more
17. Oktober 2023
https://v-i-r.de/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Heymundo-Blog-1.png 400 400 Laura Rimböck https://v-i-r.de/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/logo-website-vir-340-165-300x146.png Laura RimböckOctober 17, 2023 9:30:52 AMApril 1, 2026, 1:11:39 PMWhat exactly does the travel startup heymundo do?
VIR Exchange Meeting in Bremen

Das VIR Austauschmeeting 2023 in Bremen

Events, News
Ein Rückblick auf das VIR Austauschmeeting vom 9. bis 11. Oktober in Bremen. Auf der Agenda des VIR Austauschmeetings stand ein gemeinsames Koch-Event powered by journaway, ein gemeinsames Abendessen sponsored by .BOYSY sowie unsere alljährliche interne Tagung mit vielen verschiedenen Fachvorträgen und interaktiven Workshops bei unserem Gastgeber neusta GmbH.
Read more
16. Oktober 2023
https://v-i-r.de/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Bremen-Rueckblick-Blog.png 400 400 Laura Rimböck https://v-i-r.de/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/logo-website-vir-340-165-300x146.png Laura RimböckOctober 16, 2023, 10:41:46 AMOctober 23, 2023, 5:05:34 PMThe VIR Exchange Meeting 2023 in Bremen
neue Mitarbeiterin Lisa beim VIR

Willkommen im VIR, Lisa Herrlich

Bunt gemischt, News
Heute dürfen wir eine neue Mitarbeiterin im Team des Verband Internet Reisevertrieb e.V. begrüßen: Lisa Herrlich wird uns von nun an tatkräftig in unserer Geschäftsstelle als Werkstudentin unterstützen. Sie wird dabei bei unseren verschiedenen Projekten und Events mitwirken.
Read more
9. Oktober 2023
https://v-i-r.de/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Beitragsbild_Lisa.png 400 400 Jaqueline Petzinger https://v-i-r.de/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/logo-website-vir-340-165-300x146.png Jaqueline Petzinger2023-10-09 08:03:212023-10-09 08:03:21Willkommen im VIR, Lisa Herrlich
Expipoint VIR Mitglied geht neue Kooperation mit Meine Reise ein.

VIR Mitglied expipoint begleitet „Etihad Holidays operated by Capital Holidays“ beim Markteintritt in Deutschland

News, Produkt
Tolle Neuigkeiten unseres Start-up Mitglieds Expipoint. Das Unternehmen unterstützt ab sofort den deutschen Markteintritt des Reiseveranstalters „Etihad Holidays operated by Capital Holidays“.
Read more
5. Oktober 2023
https://v-i-r.de/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/expipoint_2.png 400 400 Laura Rimböck https://v-i-r.de/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/logo-website-vir-340-165-300x146.png Laura Rimböck2023-10-05 09:18:532026-03-29 18:35:02VIR Mitglied expipoint begleitet „Etihad Holidays operated by Capital Holidays“ beim Markteintritt in Deutschland

Auf dem Weg zum klimaneutralen Tourismus – Symposium des Kompetenzzentrum Tourismus

Marktforschung, Michis Thema der Woche, Nachhaltigkeit, News
Nachhaltig. Verantwortungsvoll. Innovativ. Auf dem Weg zum klimaneutralen Tourismus - Das Symposium für klimafreundlichen Tourismus des Kompetenzzentrum Tourismus des Bundes am 14. September 2023 in Ulm.
Read more
26. September 2023
https://v-i-r.de/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Nachhaltigkeit-Veranstaltung-Kompetenzzentrum.png 400 400 Laura Rimböck https://v-i-r.de/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/logo-website-vir-340-165-300x146.png Laura Rimböck2023-09-26 12:09:172026-03-29 18:33:07Auf dem Weg zum klimaneutralen Tourismus – Symposium des Kompetenzzentrum Tourismus
Seite 31 von 153«‹2930313233›»
Read all the news for tourism professionals

The monthly newsletter on digital tourism

You can find the latest news from and for the digital tourism industry on our news channel.

 

The VIR Newsletter provides you with a monthly overview of the posts published there. Sign up now and never miss a thing!

© Copyright - VIR
  • Link to Facebook
  • Link to LinkedIn
  • Link to Instagram
  • Legal Notice | Privacy Policy

Receive VIR Tourism updates from
via email

SIGN UP NOW
Scroll to the top