VDR president makes plea to next German government

German business travel association VDR has called on the country’s next government to “set a decisive course for a sustainable economy”.

Federal elections are due to be held in Germany on 23 February following the collapse of current chancellor Olaf Scholz’s coalition government last year.

In a new year message, VDR’s president Christoph Carnier said that Germany was “lagging behind” expectations in creating a sustainable economy.

Carnier added that the new government needed to create “sustainable mobility and a resilient infrastructure” in Germany.

He also vowed to “make new contacts and strengthen existing connections in Berlin” as part of the VDR’s lobbying efforts.

Meanwhile, VDR has signed a position paper alongside 14 other travel associations calling for the forthcoming government to tackle six key topics that can help to turn Germany into a more “sustainable business and tourism” destination.

These issues include reducing destination costs to make Germany more competitive internationally, creating the “mobility of tomorrow” which combines intermodal, reliable and sustainable transport, as well as streamlining and digitising the visa process.

The travel groups also want the next government to reduce the burden of bureaucracy on companies, strengthen tourism financing and increase the importance of travel within the forthcoming administration by appointing a dedicated state secretary for tourism.

The position paper added that these moves would make travel “more cost-effective, more modern and more sustainable” in Germany.

“Germany is currently too expensive, too bureaucratic and too complicated in many respects and there is still a lack of necessary investments in digital and mobility infrastructure and innovation promotion,” said the 15 travel associations in their joint paper.

“From the perspective of the alliance of associations, there is therefore an urgent need for an economic policy breakthrough and new courage.”

VDR is also to hold its own elections this year for its honorary executive committee, which will take place on 20 May during the association’s 51^st annual general meeting.

Carnier added that he would personally like to see the corporate travel industry continue to “set a good example for other business areas” both within Germany and across borders.

“We are still living in very turbulent times and I would like to see more objective dialogue to solve problems,” he said. “Everyone can contribute to this in their environment. Good co-operation and personal exchange are the foundation for long-term success and partnership.”