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The association Verband Internet Reisevertrieb e.V. (VIR) represents the core themes security on the internet, trust, transparency, and quality standards. It is a speaker for the internet tourist business and a point of contact for consumers, the media and the industry itself.
Among its members are seven of the leading online travel portals in Germany (ebookers.de, expedia.de, holidaycheck.de, jt.de, lastminute.de, opodo.de and weg.de), which jointly generate a turnover of about one billion euros and employ more than 500 people. The travel portals were visited online by an average of 3 million people per month during the first half of 2009. |
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Who we are
The VIR is the parent association of German online travel portals, counting among its certified members seven of the largest online travel companies in the country. VIR member companies commit themselves to maintaining the highest standards: secure online bookings, transactions and customer care. Member companies and their services are certified by the neutral TÜV, thus setting benchmarks for the entire travel industry. Environmental responsibility furthermore plays an important part in all activities. Through these commitments the customer can rest assured that he is booking more than just a holiday; he surfs safely on to holiday! |
How we are
The VIR, as well as its member companies, aim to engage with each other as partners, act exemplary in the market and with integrity in all their offers and services. Membership in the VIR is voluntary. |
What we do - for the consumer
The VIR establishes obligatory quality standards that provide certainty for the consumers that they will receive sincere, competent and customer-friendly advice, care and service on any VIR member portal.
By committing to the VIR obligations, VIR members pledge themselves to high standards regarding offers, services and performance in the market. Beyond that, the VIR and its members collaborate with the certified climate care initiative ‘Atmosfair', so that every customer is given the option to make a donation for protection of the environment when making a booking. The donation, which is a voluntary option during the booking process, goes directly towards environmental projects - certified by the Kyoto Protocol - in Germany and developing countries. |
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What we do - for our members
The VIR is the joint voice representing all its member companies with regards to politics, media and the public. The association provides its members with a forum for skills-exchange, and a platform for making connections and reconciling diverging interests.
At the centre of it all is always the customer, who will profit from these efforts. |
What we do - for the media
The VIR initiates, organises and finances competent market research regarding the subjects of travel and online security, the results of which the media are given exclusive access to. Thus, the VIR acts as a central source of information for journalists enabling fact-based, objective reporting on all current tourism subject matters. |
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Why we do what we do
The VIR and its members are of the conviction that the Internet stands for more than attractive rates, reliable service and secure online bookings and transactions: It is the future of the tourism industry and the medium to make holiday dreams a reality. It is therefore of particular importance to us to provide Internet users with a secure, service-oriented, price- and environmentally conscious online travel product. Additionally, the VIR and its members continually work to develop all aspects of the online travel booking process. Through this collaboration, they develop new standards to the benefit of customers. This goal can only be achieved by working together and in open communication by all its members, so that also in the future the customer will be "surfing safely on to holiday!" |
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VIR Articles of Constitution |
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Please download the Articles of Constitution
here »
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The Association
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