The discounter Lidl is to stop arranging trips at the end of the year. This was reported by the German industry portal «FVW», citing a communication sent to Lidl Reisen’s partners. Lidl Germany is not commenting on the alleged withdrawal, but is not denying it either.
The discounter cooperates with a whole range of tour operators. An important partner was the FTI subsidiary Big Xtra, which went bankrupt together with its parent company at the beginning of June. According to the report, other tour operator partners of Lidl-Reisen include Falk Travel and Coral Travel.
Lidl entered the travel agency business in December 2006, almost in parallel with its competitor Aldi. From 2016, Lidl Reisen even temporarily tried its hand at the tour operator business itself. However, in May 2020, shortly after the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, the discounter made a U-turn and from then on worked exclusively as a travel agent again.
Lidl Reisen is currently also active in Austria and Switzerland. Travelnews asked Lidl Switzerland’s media office what the future holds for the travel business in this country. Their answer is not very enlightening. It writes succinctly: “We ask for your understanding that we are unable to comment at this time.”