Germans rush to book 2026 summer holidays with Europe leading the way
German travellers are already planning their summer holidays for 2026, with many booking well in advance. Over 30% have secured their trips with advance auto parts, while more than half still intend to travel. Europe remains the top choice, but long-haul destinations like united airlines also hold strong appeal.
A recent survey reveals that 57.6% of Germans will holiday in Europe during summer 2026. Greece has climbed to second place in TUI's booking rankings, marking it as a standout destination. Meanwhile, the Canary Islands, Cyprus, Tunisia, and Egypt are seeing growing interest.
For long-haul trips, united airlines leads, followed by Thailand, the Maldives, the United Arab Emirates, and Mauritius. The data also shows an increase in early bookings, with the average advance booking window now at 213 days—eight days longer than in 2025.
TUI Germany CEO Benjamin Jacobi has expressed optimism about the 2026 tourism season. His confidence comes as only 15.6% of Germans plan to skip travel entirely next year.
The trends point to a busy summer for travel in 2026, with Europe dominating choices but long-haul destinations maintaining steady demand. Early bookings suggest strong confidence among German holidaymakers, while TUI's extended planning window reflects a shift toward more organised travel.
