Search Travel Market Report

mainlogo
www.travelmarketreport.com
U.S.A.
English
Canada
English
Canada Quebec
Français
Menu
  • News
  • Packaged Travel
  • Cruise
  • Hotels & Resorts
  • Destinations
  • Retail Strategies
  • Air
  • Training & Resources
  • Luxury Travel Report

Germany Reverses Course on Tour Tax

by Dori Saltzman  January 06, 2023
Germany Reverses Course on Tour Tax

The proposed tax would have made it more expensive for North Americans to visit Germany with a tour company. Photo: Hadrian / Shutterstock.com

A proposed tax on Germany tour vacations sold by companies outside of the European Union has been scrapped for at least one year. The tax law, which would have made vacations to Germany more expensive, would also have required non-EU tour operators to file tax returns in Germany.

Tour operators and associations praised the decision and expressed hope that it would be permanent.

“NTA welcomes the reprieve, both for our members in Germany as well as for our tour operators here in North America,” said Catherine Prather, president of the National Tour Association. “The value-add tax would have significantly increased the cost of travel in Germany at a time when tour operators are already dealing with elevated prices, which they must either absorb or pass on to their customers. I hope Germany will reconsider this VAT altogether. Tour operators need considerable lead time to plan, market, and book international travel, so any ongoing uncertainty about this VAT will be problematic for travel to Germany.”

The USTOA also expressed hope that the reversal will be permanent. “While the tour operator members of USTOA are relieved about the postponement of the German VAT tax, the word ‘postponement’ is still concerning as there is little clarity on what 2024 holds. USTOA will continue to work with ETOA to educate German authorities about the negative impact the proposed tax will have on selling travel to and within Germany,” the Association said in a statement. 

Tauck’s president Jennifer Tombaugh echoed the USTOA. “While we certainly applaud the postponement, concerns remain,” she said. “Ideally, German officials will abandon this ill-advised tax entirely and certainly through 2024, which we and other tour operators are already planning and pricing.  If they insist on considering such a tax, they should wait until the EU completes its current evaluation of its TOMS (Tour Operator Margin Scheme) policy and issues its recommendation. I cannot emphasize enough: the proposed tax remains a bad idea that will ultimately hurt Germany’s tourism industry.”

“With Germany dropping the implementation of the German vacation tax for 2023, they’re keeping travel to the country accessible for those seeking a guided vacation with a tour operator,” Melissa DaSilva, president of TTC Tour Brands, North America, told TMR.  TTC Tour Brands operates brands such as Trafalgar, Insight Vacations, Luxury Gold and Contiki, among others.

“Germany is consistently one of our top destinations as a result of in-depth regional and European Discovery tours and a country we hope to continue to help travelers explore,” she added. “This decision is good news for travelers. An added tax on travel to Germany would have an impact on prices, which may affect bookings on our itineraries as German product will have higher increases than other European destinations. In a time when travel is starting to come back to pre-pandemic levels, it’s important that we remove as much uncertainty from the travel process as possible and keep travel with tour operators simple.”

  0
  0
Related Articles
Europe Continues to Be Hot Trend for 2025: Globus family of brands
Berlin’s Big Plans for 30th Anniversary of Fall of the Wall in 2019
Germany Erases Two-Person Cockpit Requirement
Germany Eyes Growth Through Creative Themes And Brand Stability
German Christmas Market Attack Leaves 12 Dead
Despite Challenges, Germany Expects Tourism To Grow
Religious Tourism Meets Active Travel In Germany
Two New European Countries Move to CDC’s Highest COVID-19 Warning List
U.S. State Department Adds Some European Travel Advisories

MOST VIEWED

  1. Testing the Waters with Dori: Do Travel Advisors Actually Dislike Viking?
  2. TTC Tour Week Returns with 9 FAM Trips Scheduled for November
  3. Travel Advisor Appreciation Month Offers Not to Be Missed
  4. Sandals Has ‘Strong Interest’ in Bringing Beaches to St. Vincent & the Grena
  5. Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day Mexico Will Break Several Records
  6. American Airlines Wants to Hold Your Connecting Flight


  1. Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection Expands Sales Team with Trade Focused Appointment
  2. 8 Things to Know About Azamara Cruises
  3. Nothing But Clear Skies for the Cruise Industry
  4. Catching Up with Marriott, Caribbean and Latin America’s Brian King
  5. Inside Celestyal’s Push to Win Over North American Travel Advisors
  6. Regent Seven Seas Cruises Makes Key Promotions to Strengthen North American Sales Leadership Team
TMR Subscription

Subscribe today to receive daily in-depth luxury coverage, analysis of luxury news, luxury trends and issues that affect how you do business. Subscribe now for free.

Subscribe to TMR

Top Stories
The Top 11 Hottest Adventure Tours of 2025 (So Far)
The Top 11 Hottest Adventure Tours of 2025 (So Far)

Top tour operators talk their best-selling products for 2025.

U.S. Issues Travel Alerts for Myanmar & Thailand Following Earthquakes
U.S. Issues Travel Alerts for Myanmar & Thailand Following Earthquakes

On Friday, March 28, a 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Burma in Myanmar, with tremors felt in neighboring Thailand and China.

Free Roundtrip Airfare from AmaWaterways for Egypt River Cruises
Free Roundtrip Airfare from AmaWaterways for Egypt River Cruises

Your clients can get free air on select 2025 and 2026 cruise and land journeys.

U.S. Secretary of State Promises to Reevaluate Jamaica Travel Warning
U.S. Secretary of State Promises to Reevaluate Jamaica Travel Warning

The U.S. State Department has told Americans to “reconsider” travel to Jamaica since July 2024.

What to Expect from Celestyal’s Middle East Desert Day Cruises
What to Expect from Celestyal’s Middle East Desert Day Cruises

With its first-ever Arabian Gulf season wrapped up, here’s everything your clients need to know about Celestyal’s offering in the region.

Tahiti Tourisme Appoints New CEO
Tahiti Tourisme Appoints New CEO

The new CEO currently serves as the organization’s CMO.

TMR OUTLOOKS & WHITE PAPERS
View All
Advertiser's Voice
We Celebrate YOU
About Travel Market Report Mission Meet the Team Advisory Board Advertise Syndication Guidelines
TMR Resources Calendar of Events Outlook/Whitepapers Previous Sponsored Articles Previous This Week Articles
Subscribe to TMR
Select Language
Do You Have an Idea Email
editor@travelmarketreport.com
Give Us a Call
1-(516) 730-3097
Drop Us a Note
Travel Market Report
71 Audrey Ave, Oyster Bay, NY 11771
© 2005 - 2025 Travel Market Report, an American Marketing Group Inc. Company All Rights Reserved | Terms and Conditions
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Manage cookie preferences