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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 Board Member Michael Buller analyzes the impact of AI on all areas of life

News, VIR Press Releases
Michael Buller, CEO of the Association of Online Travel Agencies (VIR), discussed the opportunities and potential of AI for both individuals and businesses in a comprehensive analysis.
Read more
November 10, 2025
https://v-i-r.de/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Grundgedanken-zur-KI.png 400 400 Elisa Kornfeld https://v-i-r.de/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/logo-website-vir-340-165-300x146.png Elisa KornfeldNovember 10, 2025, 9:12:44 AMFebruary 12, 2026 9:21:25 AMVIR Board Member Michael Buller analyzes the impact of AI on all areas of life

5 Questions We Must Ask Ourselves in the Age of AI

Michis Thema der Woche, News
In this article, VIR Board Member Michael Buller examines the key challenges and opportunities that artificial intelligence presents for the economy and society.
Read more
October 31, 2025
https://v-i-r.de/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Fuenf-Fragen-zur-KI-auf-die-wir-Antworten-brauchen.png 400 400 Elisa Kornfeld https://v-i-r.de/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/logo-website-vir-340-165-300x146.png Elisa KornfeldOctober 31, 2025, 12:36:46 PMJanuary 2, 2026, 8:24:48 AM5 Questions We Must Ask Ourselves in the Age of AI

Digitalization in Tourism: The Internet as a Pioneer

News, VIR Press Releases
Internet Day is celebrated annually on October 29. It began in 1969 with the first electronic message sent over ARPANET, the Internet’s predecessor, and evolved in 1989, thanks to Tim Berners-Lee’s groundbreaking idea, into what we commonly know as “the Internet.”
Read more
October 29, 2025
https://v-i-r.de/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Digitalisierung-im-Tourismus-Das-Internet-als-Wegbereiter-1.png 400 400 Elisa Kornfeld https://v-i-r.de/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/logo-website-vir-340-165-300x146.png Elisa KornfeldOctober 29, 2025 9:06:37 AMMarch 6, 2026 3:15:01 PMDigitalization in Tourism: The Internet as a Trailblazer

VIR members are driving sustainability in the travel industry through clear strategies

Sustainability, News, VIR Press Releases
The member companies of the Verband Internet Reisevertrieb e.V. (VIR) are increasingly focusing on sustainability—and are taking different approaches to achieve this.
Read more
October 27, 2025
https://v-i-r.de/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/VIR-Mitglieder-treiben-Nachhaltigkeit-in-der-Reisebranche-mit-klaren-Strategien-voran-1.png 400 400 Elisa Kornfeld https://v-i-r.de/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/logo-website-vir-340-165-300x146.png Elisa KornfeldOctober 27, 2025, 11:36:08 AMApril 2, 2026, 5:52:58 PMVIR members are driving sustainability in the travel industry with clear strategies

Wer plant eigentlich Ihre nächste Reise – Mensch oder Maschine?

Michis Thema der Woche, News
In seinem aktuellen Beitrag spricht VIR Vorstand Michael Buller darüber, wie KI (und andere Technologien) unser Verhalten verändern wird – und welchen Einfluss das auf unsere Geschäftsmodelle hat.
Read more
23. Oktober 2025
https://v-i-r.de/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Wer-plant-eigentlich-Ihre-naechste-Reise-–-Mensch-oder-Maschine.png 400 400 Elisa Kornfeld https://v-i-r.de/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/logo-website-vir-340-165-300x146.png Elisa Kornfeld2025-10-23 10:46:522025-10-23 10:56:58Wer plant eigentlich Ihre nächste Reise – Mensch oder Maschine?

VIR Stellungnahme zum Digital Fairness Act (DFA)

News, Politics
Der Verband Internet Reisevertrieb e. V. (VIR) hat sich im Rahmen der Konsultation der Europäischen Kommission zum Digital Fairness Act (DFA) geäußert. Die Etablierung vertrauenswürdiger Online-Plattformen stellt ein Schlüsselfaktor für die Weiterentwicklung der gesamten Reisebranche dar.
Read more
22. Oktober 2025
https://v-i-r.de/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/VIR-Stellungnahme-zum-Digital-Fairness-Act-DFA.png 400 400 Elisa Kornfeld https://v-i-r.de/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/logo-website-vir-340-165-300x146.png Elisa Kornfeld2025-10-22 15:00:492026-02-12 09:24:00VIR Stellungnahme zum Digital Fairness Act (DFA)
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