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One Trip, One Ticket: The EU Project to Simplify Train Travel Unveiled in Brussels

June 15, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

Streamlining train bookings has long been a perennial pipe dream in the European Union (EU), despite regular calls to end the fragmentation of the rail network across twenty-seven national systems, which makes travel unnecessarily complicated and costly.

The growth of rail, however, remains crucial for Europe’s climate ambitions. At the outset of her second term in July 2024, the President of the Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, had pledged a single, unified booking system.

To turn this ambition into reality, Brussels is poised, according to sources close to the matter, to table a proposal that would compel operators to sell the tickets of their rivals on their own websites and to share their data with booking platforms.

Currently, “booking cross-border rail travel in Europe remains unnecessarily complicated”, notes Vivien Costanzo, a German member of the European Parliament from the Social Democrats. “A European rail system needs simple reservations, reliable connections, and clear rights for passengers. It is only under these conditions that rail will become a genuine European alternative to short-haul flights”, she warns.

But the proposal is likely to meet fierce opposition from national operators. In Brussels, the “European Rail Community” (ERC), a lobby of EU operators, denounces an “unprecedented interference” by the Commission. “I know of no case where anyone is forced to sell a competitor’s product. Imagine Lufthansa being forced to sell Ryanair tickets”, says Alberto Mazzola, an ERC official interviewed by AFP.

The Network Has Shrunk

Train tickets in Europe are currently primarily sold by national operators. The new legislation would require them to display offers from other companies, enabling passengers to compare prices and book a trip in one go.

A 2025 YouGov survey for the NGO Transport & Environment (T&E) shows that nearly two in three people forego a trip because the booking process is too complex. Studies also indicate that booking a train journey takes on average 70% more time than booking a flight. “With more competition in rail, passengers will benefit from better services and lower prices”, says Jan-Christoph Oetjen, a centrist Member of the European Parliament.

The Commission should also update passenger rights in cases of missed connections, regarding compensation or flexibility to board the next train.

This initiative comes as the war in the Middle East has driven up kerosene prices and raised concerns about supply difficulties for the aviation sector during Europe’s peak tourist season. It could offer railway operators the “opportunity” to “change the narrative” around international train travel and to invest in improving services, believes Victor Thévenet of Transport & Environment.

Rail accounted for only 0.3% of the transport sector’s greenhouse gas emissions in Europe in 2022, compared with nearly 12% for civil aviation. But between 1990 and 2021, the EU railway network shrank by more than 12,000 kilometers, eurodeputies lamented in 2024, vowing to halt this trend.

Campervan Rental: Why Roadsurfer Is the Ideal Last-Minute Road Trip Solution

June 14, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

What if the best trips were ultimately those we hadn’t really planned? As spring’s long weekends approach and summer holidays loom, more and more travelers are ditching ultra-planned stays in favor of more spontaneous getaways. This is where renting a converted van, or a motorhome, emerges as the ideal solution for vacationers seeking freedom, flexibility and adventure.

In this rapidly expanding world of nomadic travel, roadsurfer has established itself as the global leader in van-based journeys. Founded in 2016 in Munich, the company now counts over 10,000 vehicles distributed across nearly 100 agencies in 16 countries. Compact vans, converted campervans, or family motorhomes: the brand offers a modern, fully equipped fleet designed to simplify last-minute departures. With unlimited kilometers and a spontaneity-driven approach, roadsurfer presents a new way of traveling, where the destination matters less than the freedom to hit the road whenever the urge arises.

The spontaneous road trip for travellers seeking freedom

Setting off without a fixed program, adjusting the route according to the weather, or extending a stop by the ocean: the road trip answers a growing desire for flexibility. In recent years, travel has transformed. Holidaymakers now seek freer experiences that can adapt to their momentary wishes.
Renting a converted van fits perfectly with this trend. In just a few clicks, you can book a equipped vehicle and hit the road a few hours later. An ideal solution for off-the-cly weekend getaways as well as last-minute summer holidays.

roadsurfer has precisely built its offering around this spontaneity. The brand relies on recent, comfortable and fully equipped vehicles, with unlimited kilometers to travel without constraint. Compact vans for a duo getaway, converted vans for several weeks on European roads, or family motorhomes — each traveler profile can find the model suited to their adventure.

To simplify organization even further, the platform also offers detailed practical sheets to help travelers choose the vehicle that matches their project. A surfing weekend on the Basque coast, a crossing of the Alps, or an improvised loop through Tuscany do not require the same needs. roadsurfer thus turns motorhome rental into a simple, fluid, and immediately accessible experience.

Offices across France and Europe for last-minute departures

One of roadsurfer’s major advantages lies in its wide network of agencies, designed to facilitate spontaneous departures. In France, travellers can pick up their vehicle near major cities and airports: Paris, Lyon, Aix-Marseille, Bordeaux, Nantes, Toulouse, Lille, Nice or Strasbourg are among the main starting bases. The Geneva agency, located in the Pays de Gex, also makes a quick escape to Switzerland or the Italian Alps feasible.

This strategic presence greatly simplifies last-minute departures. Quick spell of good weather forecast ahead? A long weekend on the horizon? It is enough to book a vehicle and head toward the destination of choice.
All of Europe becomes a playable field. Thanks to the numerous roadsurfer agencies across the continent, travelers can easily imagine a road trip spanning several countries: along the Portuguese coast, exploring the Scandinavian fjords, crossing the Dolomites, or sleeping by Croatian lakes. This improvisational freedom is now one of the main attractions of renting a converted van.

roadsurfer spots: the platform that makes spontaneous wandering easier

To improvise a road trip also means being able to easily find where to sleep. It is precisely to answer this new way of traveling that roadsurfer developed roadsurfer spots, a platform for booking unusual sites across Europe.
The concept is increasingly appealing to nomadic travel enthusiasts: spontaneously booking a unique spot at a farm, a winery, a natural space, or with a private individual, often close to preserved landscapes. Available notably in France, Germany, Italy and Spain, the platform makes it easy to combine itinerancy and lodging without having to plan every step weeks in advance.

This approach reinforces the sense of freedom that accompanies motorhome rental and van rental. A sunset facing the Atlantic, a night amid Italian vineyards, or a wake-up in front of Austrian mountains can now be improvised on the fly of the journey.

More than just a vehicle rental company, roadsurfer thus positions itself as a true facilitator of spontaneous travel. A brand capable of turning a last-minute urge for escape into an immediate adventure, with this promise that has become rare: the ability to still depart without planning every detail, simply because the road calls.

With the GEO12 code, enjoy 12% off any booking for 2026 or 2027 (minimum 3 nights). Offer valid from May 5 to June 8, 2026.

Sponsored article by Roadsurfer. The editorial team did not participate in the production of this article.

Asia: The Major Festivals That Can Transform Your Trip into an Unforgettable Experience

June 11, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

Bhoutan © DTH Travel

Dream Yacht

In this quest for cultural immersion, festivals and traditional celebrations present a tremendous opportunity. For a few days, sometimes a few weeks, a destination reveals its most precious aspects: its beliefs, its traditions, its history, its creativity and its identity.

For tourism professionals, these events also constitute a powerful differentiating lever. Building an itinerary around a festival or a cultural event allows offering a unique experience, difficult to compare with a classic circuit, while giving real added value to the journey.

Asia, with its exceptional cultural diversity, offers year-round a multitude of celebrations that deserve to be integrated into programs for 2026 and 2027.

When an entire country goes into festive mode

Certain celebrations literally transform a destination.

In Bhutan, the famous Tshechus bring together local communities, monks and pilgrims around sacred dances performed in the fortress-monasteries of the Himalayan kingdom. The Paro Tshechu (18 to 22 March 2027) and the Thimphu Tshechu (21 to 23 September 2026) rank among the country’s most spectacular events.

In Japan, the festival calendar rhythmically marks the seasons. From the monumental sculptures at the Sapporo Snow Festival in February to the majestic floats of the Gion Matsuri in Kyoto in July, and the timeless magic of cherry blossoms in spring, each period of the year offers a different view of Japanese culture.

In Thailand, the Yi Peng Lantern Festival of Chiang Mai (November 24-25, 2026) remains one of Asia’s most iconic experiences. Thousands of lanterns illuminate the sky simultaneously, creating an atmosphere filled with spirituality and emotion. If you wish to offer this experience to your clients, DTH Travel still has spaces available to attend this event.

Celebrations that tell a country’s soul

Beyond the spectacle, some events allow a glimpse into the spiritual and cultural dimension of destinations. In Cambodia, Pchum Ben, the Ancestors’ Festival, offers a rare immersion into Khmer Buddhist traditions. From October 10 to 12, 2026, families gather in pagodas to honor past generations.

A few weeks later, the country shifts to a completely different ambiance with Bon Om Touk, the Water Festival (November 23-25, 2026), which makes Phnom Penh pulse to the rhythm of boat races, concerts and popular celebrations.

In Malaysia, Thaipusam (January 22, 2027) impresses with the fervor of pilgrims climbing the Batu Caves’ famous steps in a spectacular display of faith.

In Sri Lanka, from July to October (peaking in August and September), the Minneriya Elephant Gathering is one of the year’s major highlights. Each dry season, herds of elephants gather around the Minneriya reservoir, producing one of Asia’s most impressive wildlife spectacles. The moment is especially striking in the late afternoon, when the animals arrive at the reservoir’s shores bathed in the sunset light. This natural phenomenon offers a unique immersion into Sri Lankan biodiversity and perfectly illustrates the link between nature, conservation, and responsible tourism.

The Philippines also offers a unique experience with the Sinulog, Ati-Atihan and Dinagyang festivals in January 2027. For several weeks, the streets transform into giant stages where music, dance and religious traditions blend.

The opportunity to craft unique journeys

However, building an itinerary around an event requires careful preparation. Festival periods often bring high hotel demand, specific logistical constraints and larger crowds. This is where local expertise becomes essential to select suitable accommodations and activities, or to combine the event with nearby less-visited destinations.

The goal is not merely to attend a celebration, but to allow travelers to understand its meaning and to experience it in the best possible conditions.

At DTH Travel, our local teams across 14 destinations in Asia assist tourism professionals in designing tailor-made itineraries that integrate these major cultural milestones, while preserving the authenticity and comfort of the experience.

Because beyond the destination itself, it is often the moments of celebration that leave the most lasting memories.

To imagine your next itineraries, the DTH Travel teams are at your disposal.

DTH Travel, your partner in Asia

Asie : les grands festivals qui peuvent transformer un voyage en expérience inoubliable

Mathilde Thrierr

[email protected]

www.dth.travel

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