The three most sought-after destinations for German travelers who booked vacations through DERTOUR tour operators for the summer of 2025 are Greece, after Turkey, which is in first place, and Spain, in second place. The top 5 of the leading short and medium-distance destinations are completed by Egypt and Tunisia.
According to the head of product of DERTOUR and its sister brands ITS and Meiers Weltreisen, Mr. Sven Schikarsky, there is a 15% increase in the number of travelers for the summer season of 2025, following an already very strong summer season last year.
Attractive early bird discounts, reaching 45%, are one of the factors that boosted bookings at DERTOUR tour operators, with travelers choosing mainly four- and five-star hotel units and all-inclusive meals.
The upcoming summer is more diverse and more personalized than ever, Mr. Schikarsky points out, with travelers seeking more luxurious experiences while also looking for good value for money.
Tour operators DERTOUR, ITS, and Meiers Weltreisen are starting the summer season with 12,000 hotels worldwide, of which 1,200 are new and 365 are exclusive, as well as over 2,000 more tours.
Easter as an opportunity for extra vacations
The positive “momentum” of the booking trend extends to Easter holidays, which are becoming increasingly popular, Mr. Schikarsky points out, especially for families as an opportunity for an extra getaway.
Thanks to the fact that hotels, restaurants, and shops open earlier and to the high temperatures, Mediterranean destinations are increasingly operating at Easter as a realistic addition to summer holidays, especially for those looking for a sunny holiday out of season. The most popular destinations for Easter are Turkey, Spain, Egypt, the Indian Ocean and Thailand.
Germans’ preference for package holidays remains high
At the same time, as shown by a DERTOUR survey of a representative sample of 1,000 Germans, conducted by the Appinio Research Institute, package holidays continue to be the most popular type of booking in Germany. 75% of respondents said they have booked a package holiday at least once, but many were unclear about what services the package included.
Only 36% know that in the event of a crisis or strike, they benefit from the protection offered by the tour operator, fully covering the change of booking or cancellation, while 27% mistakenly believe that they will always stay in one accommodation as part of a package holiday, since package holidays are highly personalized.
A growing number of Germans are now looking for destinations off the beaten track, with the Croatian island of Losinj being an ideal choice for those looking for relaxation, nature experiences, and sustainable holidays, Mr. Schikarsky points out.
RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations, Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report
