The preliminary figures were presented during the DRV convention hosted in Berlin on October 15,2026. Numbers are based on bookings through the end of August and highlight the resilience of Germany’s organized travel market, including package holidays and customizable tour operator products sold through travel agencies and online platforms.
A strong last-minute booking period helped offset a slowdown in early reservations following the escalation of the Middle East conflict in March.
“People want to travel, and vacations remain high on their spending priorities. At the same time, customers are weighing their options more carefully and sometimes booking later,” said DRV President Albin Loidl.
The association’s analysis draws on booking data from Travel Data + Analytics (TDA), covering travel agencies and online portals selling tour operator products.
September booking figures, which have not yet been fully evaluated, also point to continued demand for autumn trips. New booking revenue for the month was above the previous year’s level, with around half of new reservations involving destinations in the eastern Mediterranean and surrounding short- and medium-haul region.
Eastern Mediterranean leads destination growth
The eastern Mediterranean, including Greece, Turkey, Egypt and Tunisia, generated an 8% increase in combined revenue during summer 2026. Turkey recorded a 9% rise, Greece gained 10% and Egypt increased 4%.
Together, eastern Mediterranean destinations accounted for half of the organized travel market’s total revenue, underlining their importance to German tour operators.
Western Mediterranean destinations, including Spain and Portugal, recorded combined revenue growth of 5%. Mainland Spain stood out with an 11% increase.
Cruises also performed well, with revenue rising 5% year over year. Both ocean and river cruises continue to be important growth drivers for Germany’s travel industry.
Long-haul travel moved in the opposite direction, with revenue falling 14%. The DRV attributed the weakness particularly to flight cancellations and travel warnings associated with the Middle East conflict, which affected travelers’ confidence and access to some destinations.
Loidl said the increase in package holiday bookings demonstrated the appeal of organized travel in an uncertain environment. Customers benefit from a single provider taking responsibility for the trip, along with assistance during disruptions, crisis management and financial protection in the event of insolvency.
Demand for personal advice at traditional travel agencies also strengthened from late May as the summer vacation period approached. Loidl said agencies would need to combine their advisory expertise with digital channels and more efficient processes as artificial intelligence and digitalization continue to change booking behavior.
Winter bookings remain under pressure
The outlook for winter 2026-27, covering November 1 through April 30, is more subdued. Current revenue bookings are 2% below the comparable period last year.
The weakness is particularly significant in long-haul travel, which represents a larger share of the winter market than in summer. The United Arab Emirates and the United States are experiencing especially soft demand, while the Maldives, Thailand and the Dominican Republic are showing comparatively stable bookings, with some markets ahead of last year’s levels.
The DRV suggested that financially pressured consumers, particularly families, may be cutting back on second holidays and additional trips while protecting their main summer vacation.
Early bookings for summer 2027 offer a more encouraging picture. Revenue is currently 8% above the comparable level last year, supported particularly by advance reservations for cruises.
However, Loidl cautioned that the booking season remains at an early stage. Consumer confidence could rapidly change with prices increase and geopolitical developments over the coming months.
Tags: Albin Loidl German Tourism Industry Association (DRV)
