The German Travel Price Guarantee Fund (DRSF) is sitting on bulging coffers, which, according to Tui CEO Sebastian Ebel, leads to a distortion of competition compared to other forms of travel. On LinkedIn, Ebel called for the suspension of new fees, as the fund has long since reached its target assets.
He criticized a "seven-month standstill" following the collapse of the traffic light coalition, during which responsibility was shifted back and forth between the DRSF and the Federal Ministry of Justice (BMJ). This situation affects every single vacationer and ties up funds that companies lack for investment.
Ebel criticized the DRSF and BMJ's continued hesitation to halt the fees, recently stating that they were waiting for a new minister. He raised the question of whether this was due to a lack of decisiveness at the DRSF, unclear responsibilities, or a legal oversight body that interfered too much in management. Regardless of the review of the DRSF announced in the coalition agreement, a reduction in contributions must now take place. The organization and shareholder structure of the DRSF also need to be examined, Ebel said.
Ebel's initiative received support from industry commentators, including Marija Linnhoff, head of the Association of Independent Travel Consultants (VUSR), and Christoph Debus, CEO of the Dertour Group, who called for a swift revision and redesign of the DRSF. The DRSF protects package travelers against the insolvency of tour operators. Criticism is directed at the fact that the continued collection of contributions unnecessarily increases the price of package tours, as the fund already has sufficient resources.