Will the prices of tourist packages rise due to the jump in fuel prices?
Although the rise in kerosene prices, caused by geopolitical tensions, is creating pressure on operational costs, leading European tour operators are currently avoiding subsequent price increases for already booked trips.
Instability in the Middle East has once again brought the price of kerosene into focus, a key component in package holiday pricing. For the tourism industry, which is still adapting to new market dynamics, this issue is not just financial but also a matter of customer confidence. Although European regulations allow tour operators to adjust prices under certain conditions even after a booking has been made, market leaders are currently adopting a cautious approach to preserve passenger loyalty and the stability of sales channels.
Big players stick to confirmed prices.
The largest European Tour operators Following TUI, Dertour and Alltours have sent a clear message: holidaymakers who have already paid for their holidays can rest easy. Alltours has confirmed that it does not plan any retroactive price increases, but at the same time warns that future bookings may reflect new costs if energy prices remain at high levels. Christoph Debus, CEO of Dertour, is following a similar strategy, emphasizing that existing contracts are secure, but that the market for new bookings is subject to change.
TUI is in a similar position. Thanks to solid financial results and hedging strategies, the company is currently able to absorb rising costs without passing the burden on to the end user. Nevertheless, they reserve the right to adjust prices for all future packages if the trend of rising fuel prices continues.
Price security as a selling point
While the giants adapt to the situation, some smaller and specialised organisers use this crisis as an opportunity to highlight their reliability. Schauinsland-Reisen has taken the firmest stance, guaranteeing customers complete price security with no unpleasant surprises after booking confirmation. This move is directly aimed at strengthening the trust of travel agencies, which are often on the front line of communication with dissatisfied travellers in the event of price increases.
LMX Touristik acts similarly, highlighting that their stable financial position allows them to maintain prices despite the surge in kerosene costs. Intrepid Travel has gone a step further, announcing that there will be no surcharges even for new bookings in 2026, with the exception of specific expedition and personalised tours.
What does that mean for travel agencies
For industry professionals, the current situation means the focus is shifting from “will prices increase” to “when prices will increase”. It's clear that tour operators cannot absorb high fuel costs indefinitely. The current restraint from retroactive price increases is more of a strategic move to preserve market share than a reflection of low operating costs.
For travel agencies This is a crucial moment for client communications – incentivising early bird bookings has never been more important, as these are the only packages with a “locked-in” price. Looking ahead, the industry will have to carefully balance operational profitability with the purchasing power of travellers, which is already under pressure from general inflation.
