Greece is the third most popular holiday destination for summer 2026 among visitors of the German travel group DERTOUR.
The group’s tour operators report strong advance bookings for the travel period from May 1 to October 31, 2026, with the top nearby destinations so far being Turkey, Spain, Greece, Egypt, and Tunisia.
The desire of Germans to travel remains strong, with a significant increase in visitors of about 18% compared to last year.
“Even at this early stage of bookings, we are already seeing strong demand for summer across all segments,” notes Boris Raoul, CEO of DERTOUR Germany and Austria.
“Germans have already been planning their summer 2026 holidays since November,” he added.
As the CEO emphasizes, the organization aims to offer the right product for every occasion and budget. For 2026, its offerings include many diverse options at attractive prices and for distinctive tastes.
Through the brands ITS and Meiers Weltreisen, DERTOUR offers the largest range of holidays for the upcoming summer, with a total of 180,000 hotels in 180 destinations worldwide. This includes 1,500 new hotels and 200 exclusive properties in popular destinations such as Greece, Turkey, Egypt, and Italy.
New Hotel in Crete
The goal for 2026 is to add new exclusive hotels for the German market and expand the portfolio of the group’s own hotel brands.
In this context, DERTOUR’s hotel division will launch a total of seven new hotels under the ananea, Sentido, and Calimera brands in 2026, including one in Greece.
This is the ananea Rocrita in Crete, located between Agios Nikolaos and Sitia, which, after renovation, expansion, and full modernization, will open in spring 2026.
The hotel occupies a former club resort, with direct beach access, and in its new form will emphasize restful and contemporary design with spacious areas.
The ananea Rocrita will feature a main buffet restaurant, four ? la carte restaurants, a street food center, and three bars, with Cretan cuisine prevailing in its gastronomic identity.
Additionally, as part of the expanded DERTOUR Deluxe program for its 20th anniversary, the Myconian O hotel will be offered on the island of Mykonos, away from the popular beaches, ideal for visitors wishing to explore the island beyond the main tourist attractions.
The hotel is located in Ornos and caters exclusively to adults, offering luxury 5-star rooms and suites with private verandas or balconies with pools.
Reasons Behind the Advance Bookings
Travel agencies remain the most popular booking channel for Germans. Notably, last year, the average advance booking period for summer holidays in this market increased by eight days, to 135 days before departure, driven by offers reaching up to 50%.
Moreover, according to Mr. Raoul, the attractive price-quality balance, high quality, and wide range of experiences are critical criteria for choosing holidays in 2026, affecting destination choice, booking period, and type of holiday.
During the summer months of 2025, all-inclusive holidays reached record levels, with 57% of visitors preferring them. This trend continues in advance bookings for 2026.
The trend for affordable luxury also continues, with 83% of summer holidays booked in 4- and 5-star hotels.
Turkey, Spain, and Greece Lead in Family All-Inclusive Holidays
In the family holiday category, preferences for all-inclusive, 4- and 5-star hotels, and long-distance travel are also rising. Families continue to see travel as an integral part of family time and childhood experiences. Therefore, high-quality resorts offering a wide range of activities for families are preferred. Turkey, Spain, and Greece are particularly popular destinations for families, while Egypt and Bulgaria are rapidly gaining popularity. For long-distance destinations, the UAE, Thailand, and Mauritius are currently experiencing strong growth.
Tourism Focused on Sports
There is also a growing trend in experience-based travel, with rapidly increasing interest in trips centered around international sports events. According to UN Tourism, around 10% of global tourism expenditure is currently allocated to sports tourism, a figure that is rising.
For sports enthusiasts, visiting international stadiums and watching their favorite teams live are among the most exciting travel experiences. Demand for trips to major sporting events is similarly high, with DERTOUR Sports products already seeing a 50% increase in visitor numbers. Key experiences include NFL games in Europe and the USA, NBA games in Orlando, and the Darts World Championship in London.
Luxury Travel in German Searches
Luxury travel already saw above-average growth of about 15% in visitor numbers during summer 2025. This high demand is expected to continue next year: current booking data shows a 26% increase in visitors.
DERTOUR, through DERTOUR Deluxe, offers exclusive experiences for discerning travelers, with an expanded luxury travel program for summer 2026, including 1,300 hotels and 100 excursions.
These trips offer privacy, authentic travel experiences, and combine more sustainable and nature-based options along with holistic wellness.
Slow Travel
DERTOUR has expanded its range of sustainable travel options this year as well. In addition to approximately 2,050 hotels, the program includes more than 60 excursions, including destinations outside Europe. Travel programs are aligned with global responsible tourism criteria. Many offerings focus on the slow travel trend—longer stays in one location, with activities such as train travel, cycling, or hiking.
Furthermore, the new active holiday program includes over 60 offerings aimed at travelers seeking a more relaxed holiday experience.
