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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!

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VIR Facts & Figures on the Online Travel Market 2026

VIR Facts & Figures 2026

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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

VIR Position Paper on Digitalization in Tourism

News, Politics
The VIR analyzes common narratives surrounding digitalization in tourism, uses data to demonstrate its actual economic impacts, and identifies key future trends that are crucial to the region’s competitiveness.
Read more
December 10, 2025
https://v-i-r.de/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Stellungnahme-Kurzzeitvermietung.png 400 400 Jaqueline Petzinger https://v-i-r.de/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/logo-website-vir-340-165-300x146.png Jaqueline PetzingerDecember 10, 2025, 2:34:15 PMFebruary 12, 2026, 9:18:53 AMVIR Position Paper on Digitalization in Tourism

The travel startup of 2025 is Onsai

Events, News, Startups, VIR Press Releases
Onsai is the winner of the TIC & VIR Travel Start-up Nights 2025 and was thus awarded the title "Travel Start-up 2025" at the grand finale in Frankfurt am Main.
Read more
December 4, 2025
https://v-i-r.de/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Travel-Start-up-Night-Finale.png 400 400 Elisa Kornfeld https://v-i-r.de/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/logo-website-vir-340-165-300x146.png Elisa KornfeldDecember 4, 2025, 2:30:24 PMMarch 6, 2026, 12:18:18The 2025 travel startup is Onsai

Summer 2025 Review: Despite Rising Prices, the German Travel Market Continues to Grow

News, VIR Press Releases
The Association of Online Travel Agencies (VIR) has analyzed booking data for the 2025 season in collaboration with Travel Data + Analytics GmbH (TDA). The results are positive: Demand from German travelers remains remarkably strong—despite a noticeable increase in travel prices.
Read more
December 1, 2025
https://v-i-r.de/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Sommerbilanz-2025.png 400 400 Elisa Kornfeld https://v-i-r.de/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/logo-website-vir-340-165-300x146.png Elisa KornfeldDecember 1, 2025, 9:04:41 AMFebruary 12, 2026 9:19:46 AM2025 Summer Review: Despite Rising Prices, the German Travel Market Continues to Grow

Comments on the Draft Bill for a Short-Term Rental Data Exchange Act (KVDG)

News, Politics
The VIR firmly believes that transparency in the vacation rental market is an essential prerequisite for effective legislative action. For this reason, the VIR expressly welcomes the initiative to ensure greater clarity and, consequently, a more robust data foundation as the basis for regulations in the short-term rental market.
Read more
November 26, 2025
https://v-i-r.de/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/KVDG.png 400 400 Elisa Kornfeld https://v-i-r.de/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/logo-website-vir-340-165-300x146.png Elisa KornfeldNovember 26, 2025, 4:48:50 PMFebruary 12, 2026, 9:20:31 AMStatement on the Draft Bill for a Short-Term Rental Data Exchange Act (KVDG)

The VIR Exchange Meeting 2025 in Frankfurt am Main

Events, News
The 2025 VIR Exchange Meeting took place this year in Frankfurt am Main at DERTOUR. The agenda featured a variety of presentations and networking opportunities.
Read more
November 20, 2025
https://v-i-r.de/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/DERTOUR-Group-Standort-Frankfurt.png 400 400 Elisa Kornfeld https://v-i-r.de/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/logo-website-vir-340-165-300x146.png Elisa KornfeldNovember 20, 2025, 12:15:40 PMNovember 20, 2025, 12:57:32 PMThe VIR Exchange Meeting 2025 in Frankfurt am Main

A Look Back: The 4th TIC & VIR Travel Start-up Night 2025 in Vienna

Events, News, Start-ups
At the fourth TIC Tourism Austria, TIC Germany, and VIR Travel Start-up Night in Vienna, six travel startups had the opportunity to present their companies to an interested audience and convince the guests of the merits of their concepts.
Read more
November 12, 2025
https://v-i-r.de/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Start-up-Night-Wien-6.png 400 400 Elisa Kornfeld https://v-i-r.de/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/logo-website-vir-340-165-300x146.png Elisa KornfeldNovember 12, 2025, 1:50:40 PMNovember 12, 2025, 4:23:09 PMReview: The 4th TIC & VIR Travel Start-up Night 2025 in Vienna
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