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Deep cuts for the tourism industry
At the beginning of this episode (from minute 2:20), we take a look at how hard the coronavirus pandemic has hit the tourism industry. And even though the pandemic is not yet over and a conclusive assessment is not possible, the figures for 2020 already provide an initial picture. In the following, we refer to figures from the German National Tourist Board, the German Travel Association and the German Tourism Association.
In 2020, the number of international travelers fell to a total of 398 million. This was 72.8 percent less than the previous year. Tourism in Germany also suffered significant losses. At 32 million, there were almost two-thirds (-64.4 percent) fewer overnight stays by international guests than in 2019. However, overnight stays by German domestic tourists declined not quite as sharply, at -33.4 percent. They accounted for a total of 270 million overnight stays in 2020.
The number of business trips fell even more drastically: While German companies sent their employees across Germany 195 million times in 2019, associations registered only 33 million business trips for 2020. This corresponds to a decline of around 83 percent.
Traveltech: Solutions for business travel
One startup that felt the decline in business travel is Lanes & PlanesFounded in 2017, the company has developed a booking platform for business travel based on B2C models. It also offers additional features such as the transfer of travel data to downstream accounting systems. You can hear the full story starting at minute 6:10.
However, a different view on the topic of business travel is Eco.MioThe startup believes that the possibility of using loyalty points from railways, airlines, or hotel chains for personal use creates false incentives for booking business trips. To counteract this, and thus make travel not only cheaper, but also more environmentally friendly To shape the future, the startup, founded in the midst of the pandemic, has developed its solution. You can hear how it works starting at minute 9:20.
More power for hotels
The startup Laya Technologies (from minute 11:55) offers hotels a solution that allows them to become the center of their guests' vacation planning. Instead of handing over their inventory to tour operators who rent it directly or offer it as package deals, they can use Laya to create these packages themselves and sell them via their website. The founders behind the travel tech startup are no strangers to the industry: They have Fineway has already launched a similar startup, but it is aimed at tourists.
Camping: The boom in the crisis
While large parts of the tourism industry suffered from the coronavirus crisis, one sector managed to maintain its numbers somewhat: the camping industry. Even though slightly fewer guests spent their time there, with 34 million overnight stays compared to 2019 (36 million), the decline was significantly more pronounced in other sectors. Measured against overall tourism, campsite operators even secured market share: In 2020, their facilities accounted for 11.3 percent of all overnight stays, a significantly larger share than in 2019 (7.2 percent).
A startup that has benefited from this development Freeway Camper (from minute 14:25). The Munich-based company has been operating a platform since 2020 where customers can rent vans, campervans, and motorhomes directly. It also allows users to directly book campsites throughout Europe. The startup aims to become a comprehensive contact point for a successful camping holiday.
The Traveltech-VC Falkensteiner Ventures
From minute 17:20 we introduce you to the financier Falkensteiner Ventures The early-stage investor from the DACH region, with offices in Munich, Vienna, Zurich, and Berlin, focuses on the travel and leisure industry, as well as elderly care. We take a look at the people behind the venture capital firm and its portfolio.
