Exhibition attendance
Plan your exhibition attendance and increase your purchasing success. A tip: Arrange fixed appointments with exhibitors to avoid waiting times.
Plan your visit to the exhibition in Cologne
In order to prepare your visit to the exhibition in the best possible way, we have compiled the most important information for you below:
Hall plan
You find the online hall plan and the PDF hall plan for the RDA Group Travel Expo 2026 here.
RDA Expo Night 2026 in Cologne
On the evening of the first day of the exhibition, not far from the Koelnmesse, the RDA Expo Night 2026 will take place at the Rheinterrassen. Enjoy the fantastic view at Cologne Cathedral in a relaxed atmosphere, while casually exchanging ideas with partners and colleagues. You can look forward to a great atmosphere, delicious food and our DJ, who’ll be spinning tunes until the early hours.
Date: April 28th, 2026
Admission: from 6:30 pm.
Location: Rheinterrassen, Rheinparkweg 1, 50679 Köln
Price: 62,- € per person, net (incl. food & drinks)
09.45 a.m.
Opening ceremony of the RDA Group Travel Expo 2026 in Cologne
- Teresa De Bellis-Olinger, Mayor of the City of Cologne
- Ralf Nüsser, Managing Director Koelncongress
- Petr Soukup, Director of the South Bohemian Tourist Board
- Benedikt Esser, RDA President and Managing Director of RDA Expo GmbH
Please be aware that all speeches and presentations will be given in German only.
11.00 a.m.: South Bohemia – your ideal destination
South Bohemia is a stable and easily accessible tourist destination. A region renowned for its combination of cultural heritage, natural beauty and high-quality infrastructure. It offers a wide range of year-round tourist attractions, from which tour operators can put together attractive packages for their customers. Historic towns and sights, cultural events, gastronomy and active holidays, as well as high-quality services and ample accommodation capacity, make the region your ideal destination for both individual and group tours.
Ondřej Flemr, South Bohemian Tourist Authority
Ondřej Flemr has been involved in tourism since his time in his South Bohemian hometown of Tábor. He has been working for the South Bohemian Tourist Authority since 2016 and is responsible for promoting the region’s attractions in neighbouring international markets. His role encompasses a wide range of activities – from marketing initiatives aimed at the general public to collaboration with tour operators.
11.30 a.m.: The Budweis region – A wide range of attractions
The Budweis region is promoted as an attractive destination for group travel thanks to its major events and wide range of activities. The focus is on Easter, Advent, cultural programmes and regular summer events. The region's opportunities for active leisure, dining, culture and boat trips are highlighted. In addition, practical information will be provided for tour operators, for example on coach parking, tour guide services and other facilities to help them organise group trips smoothly.
Ondřej Flemr, South Bohemian Tourist Authority
Ondřej Flemr has been involved in tourism since his time in his South Bohemian hometown of Tábor. He has been working for the South Bohemian Tourist Authority since 2016 and is responsible for promoting the region’s attractions in neighbouring international markets. His role encompasses a wide range of activities – from marketing initiatives aimed at the general public to collaboration with tour operators.
12.00 p.m.: “Eco-friendly coach?” – At last, clarity on new advertising rules (EmpCo/UWG)
The new EU rules on sustainability advertising have been in place since the start of the year and will become binding from September 2026. Claims such as ‘sustainable travel’, ‘climate-friendly bus’ or ‘carbon-neutral cruise’ must now be verified, as must sustainability labels in the hospitality sector. Using practical examples, Marie Vandersanden demonstrates which claims on websites, in catalogues and in campaigns could lead to warnings, and how environmental advertising can remain permissible and be used as a competitive advantage.
Marie Vandersanden, LL.M., lawyer, lecturer in business and tourism law, owner of TourismLawyers
Marie Vandersanden, lawyer and owner of TourismLawyers, advises tourism companies at home and abroad on all legal matters relating to travel, tourism and hospitality. Her clients include tour operators and transport companies such as airlines, coach operators and shipping companies as well as hotel chains, online travel portals, tourism service providers and travel tech companies. She teaches international business and tourism law as well as competition and contract law in tourism at the Universities of Bremen and Vienna.
12.30 p.m.: CULTURAL TOURS AS AN OPPORTUNITY – Why is the cultural tourism market important, and how can tour operators benefit from it?
The presentation provides an insight into numerous best-practice examples of successful music and exhibition projects in Germany and abroad over recent years. At the same time, you will gain a behind-the-scenes look at major cultural marketing campaigns and their successes and failures. This is particularly relevant in terms of the marketing potential within the group segment. Finally, from the perspective of a cultural package tour operator, we will demonstrate how close cooperation and contacts can be used to build long-term partnerships for mutual benefit.
Ulrich Keinath, Managing Director of the cultural tourism agency projekt2508 GmbH and Managing Director of the cultural travel tour operator art cities REISEN GmbH, based in Constance
For more than 20 years, Ulrich Keinath and his partner Hans-Helmut Schild have been running the agency projekt2508, based in Bonn and Königswinter. Their portfolio includes cultural tourism consultancy, cultural communication, urban regeneration, storytelling and outreach, exhibition projects, and the CULTURE LOUNGE.
10.00 a.m.: Ready or not? How AI is changing the game in the coach and group tourism sector
Following the initial phase of euphoria and experimentation, it is becoming clear where AI is really making an impact in coach tourism. Alex Mirschel provides an up-to-date overview of developments, specific applications and new dynamics within the industry – ranging from operational efficiency gains to agent-based systems that are increasingly capable of managing processes autonomously. Using practical examples, it becomes clear what is already working today, where the limits lie, and what course bus companies should set now. The presentation provides context, offers clarity and demonstrates how AI can be deployed strategically to strengthen competitiveness and future-proof the business.
Alexander Mirschel, tourism consultant and partner at Realising Progress
For more than 15 years, the Frankfurt native has been working on digital change in the tourism industry, innovation and digitalisation processes, target group-oriented communication and new marketing approaches. He helps destinations and tourism companies to recognise the opportunities of the digital age and set the course for a successful future. As an expert in artificial intelligence, Alex is involved in both practical knowledge transfer and the conception and implementation of specific AI projects. His expertise is also in demand at the highest political level: as an expert in the German Bundestag, he has already answered questions from the Tourism Committee about the opportunities offered by artificial intelligence.
10.30 a.m.: ‘BUS INSPECTION’ – another way to project a professional image and delight passengers
The driver is the face of the company and the vehicle its calling card, even during roadside checks at home and abroad. In this short presentation, we aim to highlight key aspects of a roadside check and take a look over the shoulders of the inspecting authority. What can drivers and companies do in advance to ensure they make a perfect impression during a potential check… and with passengers too.
Thomas Fritz, TF-Institut für Verkehr
Thomas Fritz has a background in the public sector and, as a Chief Inspector, spent many years as the team leader of a specialist enforcement unit, overseeing everything from roadside checks and operational inspections to international investigations into organised crime. As a specialist lecturer at several universities across Germany, he has been teaching legal topics relating to the commercial coach and transport sector since the late 1990s. He is a trained facilitator, road safety trainer and certified master trainer for the further training of instructors. As a long-standing active member of several nationwide working groups of the former Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMVI), the German Chamber of Industry and Commerce (DIHK), the German Social Accident Insurance Association and the Ministry of Transport and Economic Affairs in Baden-Württemberg, he continues to engage intensively with these specialist topics and, through regular international exchanges of experience, also helps to foster a Europe-wide consensus.
11.00 a.m.: Holiday travel among the German population: The significance of the coach segment
Based on selected findings from the latest travel analysis (RA 2026), this report provides an insight into the travel behaviour, travel intentions and key holiday motivations of the German population. Particular attention is paid to the current market positioning of the coach travel segment, as well as the associated future opportunities and challenges within the German travel market.
Astrid Koch, FUR
Astrid Koch has been working for the Research Association for Holidays and Travel (FUR) since 2013. The FUR conducts the Travel Analysis (RA) on a cross-sectoral, impartial and ongoing basis. The RA is the most comprehensive, ongoing study of holiday travel behaviour in Germany. Over 12,000 interviews conducted each year form the basis for representative findings on the travel behaviour of the German-speaking population.
11.30 a.m.: News from the tax consultant - News on margin tax and final accounts
In his keynote presentation, ‘our’ tax adviser, Sören Münch, will discuss current developments in margin taxation. Among other things, he will outline the reform proposals currently under discussion at European level regarding margin taxation and the taxation of transport services. He will then share his practical experience regarding the final settlements for bridging aid.
Sören Münch, tax consultant and partner of eureos gmbh steuerberatungsgesellschaft rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft
Sören Münch has been a partner at eureos gmbh steuerberatungsgesellschaft rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft since 2009. For many years, he has been advising tourism companies on tax issues with the eureos team and has also been an RDA tax consultant since 2019.
12.00 p.m.: Reform of the Package Travel Directive – what stays, what’s coming
The European legislator has approved a reform of the Package Travel Directive. In her presentation, the speaker will outline the planned changes to travel law and explain what implications these will have for coach operators and tour operators in the future. What should companies prepare for, what will remain the same, and what new requirements will apply.
Dr Stefanie Bergmann, LLM, lawyer
As a specialist in tourism law, Stefanie Bergmann has been advising tour operators, coach tour operators and tourism companies for many years on all matters relating to the sale and distribution of package holidays, coach tours and individual tourism services.
12.30 p.m.: The Future of Coach Travel: Legislation, Electromobility and Market Trends
The presentation provides a concise overview of the most significant upcoming legislative changes, CO₂ regulations and sustainability requirements in the bus sector. It also clearly outlines market trends, technological developments, and the opportunities and challenges associated with electrification in the bus sector.
Heinz Kiess, Head of Product Marketing Bus
Heinz Kiess has been working in the coach industry for 30 years and has gained experience in marketing and sales at various coach manufacturers. He has been with MAN for 20 years and took up the position of Head of Product Marketing Bus on February 1st, 2022.