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Türkiye is expected to hold on to its place as a leading summer destination for German tourists in 2026, despite geopolitical risks, changing market conditions and a temporary slowdown in bookings earlier in the season, according to German Travel Agencies Association (Deutscher Reiseverband, DRV) President Albin Loidl.
Speaking to Anadolu Agency at a summer reception held at Türkiye's Embassy in Berlin, Loidl said Türkiye remained a major attraction for German holidaymakers because it brings together strong hotel infrastructure, beaches, all-inclusive resorts, cultural tours and nature-based activities.
Loidl said the 2026 summer season had opened on a strong note, with positive indicators continuing until the end of February. However, he noted that bookings slowed down for around four to eight weeks from early March because of the impact of the war in the Middle East.
He said the market had picked up again in recent weeks, adding that last-minute demand was expected to push business volume forward in the coming period.
Loidl said this outlook pointed to a successful summer season.
Loidl recalled that reports issued earlier in the year had already shown Türkiye as a leading destination for German tourists, and said this position had not changed.
Türkiye was also Germany's top summer destination last year, he said, adding that current forecasts suggested the country would keep that lead through the 2026 season.
Loidl said the atmosphere of war in the Middle East and rising energy costs had put pressure on household budgets, but German tourists had not given up on travel.
He said Germans had for decades set aside around 6% to 8% of their net income for holidays, describing this stable pattern as a positive sign for the months and years ahead.
He also said he believed bookings would catch up with last year's level.
Loidl said German tourists look first for beaches, strong hotel facilities and high-quality infrastructure when choosing a destination, and argued that Türkiye offers these at an exceptional level.
"When Germans come to a destination, they first look for beautiful beaches, excellent infrastructure, and standard of equipment in hotels. These features exist in Türkiye at an extraordinary level," he said.
Loidl added that Türkiye also stands out with well-run all-inclusive hotel complexes, while German visitors are increasingly interested in cultural tours and outdoor activities rather than staying only inside resorts.
Loidl also pointed out that Türkiye operates in a highly competitive European tourism market, where German travelers remain sensitive to price changes.
He said German tourists usually look for the best option within their budgets, and added that Turkish hotels could draw in more visitors from Germany by keeping their pricing policies balanced.
Loidl also encouraged young tourists not to see tourism only as beach holidays or entertainment. He asked them to step out of their hotels, take up sports and explore historic cities such as Istanbul, saying tourism could also be a way to learn, discover nature and broaden one's outlook.
Loidl said he believed the long-standing ties between the German and Turkish travel industries would grow stronger in the coming years, adding that he had received clear and positive signals about this during a visit to Ankara last week.
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