Tourism and Taxi: Two Sides of the Same Coin

The intersection between tourism and mobility is significant—and is increasingly coming into the focus of politics. At a meeting in Berlin, Anja Karliczek (CDU), the new chairwoman of the Bundestag's Tourism Committee, and Patrick Meinhardt, chief executive officer of the German Taxi and Rental Car Association (TMV), have agreed on closer cooperation.

Anja Karliczek (right) meets the CEO of the Taxi and Rental Car Association (TMV), Patrick Meinhardt.| Photo: TMV
Anja Karliczek (right) meets the CEO of the Taxi and Rental Car Association (TMV), Patrick Meinhardt.| Photo: TMV

For Meinhardt, tourism and taxis are like two sides of the same coin. Because anyone who welcomes guests in hotels and restaurants needs reliable local mobility options. Taxis and rental cars play a crucial role in this, particularly in cities with high visitor numbers or in locations with limited public transport options.

Karliczek sees it similarly.

“I am very aware of the close connection between the hotel industry, gastronomy, and the taxi trade,” she said after the conversation.

For the past four years, she has already served as the tourism policy spokesperson for her parliamentary group – now she chairs the committee. She wants to use the new role to further expand the conversation with adjacent sectors such as the ride service industry.

The connection between the two interlocutors is not new. During her time as Federal Minister for Education and Research, Karliczek already had regular exchanges with Meinhardt, who at that time acted as Secretary General of the Educational Alliance of Medium-sized Enterprises. Over the years, a relationship of trust developed - now this is once again bearing political fruit.

In addition to coordinating with politics, the TMV is currently also intensifying its collaboration with the hotel and restaurant industry, including the DEHOGA association. The goal is to make the role of the taxi industry as a component of a functioning tourism offer more visible - not only in large cities but also in structurally weaker regions.

Mobility remains a central topic of tourism policy. The conversation between Karliczek and Meinhardt was a signal that this interaction is now to be more strongly coordinated.

Content automatically translated.
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