About the only reliable statistical measure of the travel business in German is the ta.ts (Travel Agency Technologies & Services) travel agency mirror. And according to the Frankfort-based organization, the industry several weeks ago closed out December with dismal data for a dismal year.
—The total invoiced turnover of the travel agencies recorded in the ta.ts travel agency mirror in December 2020 was minus 86.6 percent compared to the same month last year.
—The billed tourism turnover shows a minus of 90.0 percent in November. Air traffic revenue was down 90.2 percent for the month. The “other” sales were minus 63.2 percent and the number of tickets was minus 90.9 percent. Sales from the tourism sub-division cruises were down 84.7 percent in November.
—Viewed cumulatively, the total invoiced travel agency turnover in the months from January to December was minus 77.6 percent. Tourism recorded a minus of 74.7 percent, while air traffic recorded a minus of 82.8 percent. The other sales show a minus of 64.1 percent and the number of tickets a minus of 79.2 percent. The cruises segment recorded a decrease of 71.4 percent.
—Incoming orders for tourism are minus 97.2 percent compared to the month. The tourism order backlog by travel date up to October 2021 is minus 79.9 percent.
.—In the sub-division cruises, incoming orders were minus 101.8 percent in a month-on-month comparison, the order backlog by travel date up to October 2021 is minus 68.1 percent.
