Fernand Heinisch, president of Luxembourg’s Federation of Travel Agencies, provided insight into the decision behind the cancellation of the 30th edition: “Sales have not increased due to the convention. Today, we are almost on the same level as in 2019, even better in some areas. That is why, from a commercial perspective, the Holiday Convention is not necessary.”
Nevertheless, Heinisch acknowledged that the Convention always represented a fun opportunity to talk to potential clients and show their offers: “It is about feeling the pulse. Where do people want to go? On an emotional level, it used to be very fun, but financially and commercially speaking it is not necessary actually.”
In January 2020, about 30,000 visitors came to the convention at the Luxexpo centre in Kirchberg to plan their holidays for the year, not knowing that much would be cancelled due to a global pandemic only a few months later.
According to pre-pandemic statistics, 70% of Luxembourg’s residents went on holiday at least once a year. It now seems as though the desire to travel has returned, even without a special convention.
Heinisch elaborated: “People have been saying for 20 years that travel offices are on the brink of extinction. ... However, we now feel that the pandemic has engendered a real revival and that an entirely new clientele is coming to travel offices. Young people. I don’t think there is a replacement for travel offices. ... They are close to clients and there for them, something that the internet will never be able to replace.”
Aside from more traditional destinations, such as France, Germany, Spain, Portugal, or Italy, Scandinavian countries, Iceland, the USA, and Canada are experiencing an increase in demand. Another trend observable in 2023 is the return of cruise reservations.
However, due to the current economic situation in Europe, travellers should expect flight and hotel prices to have risen by 10-15%.
