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Türkiye has secured the leading position as the most popular destination for German travelers for the 2026 summer season, according to data released by the German Travel Association (DRV) at the ITB Berlin International Tourism Trade Fair. The trend reflects the growing momentum of early bookings in Germany’s outbound tourism market.
Data from Travel Data + Analytics (TDA), prepared for DRV as of January 2026, indicates a 7% increase in summer season booking revenues and a 4% rise in the number of bookings compared to the previous year. These figures underscore the strong travel appetite among German tourists.
Between May and October, Türkiye led both in total revenue and number of bookings, followed by Spain and Greece. Among Mediterranean destinations, Türkiye achieved a 12% increase in revenue, while Egypt rose by 18%, Italy by 17%, and Greece by 8%. Sea tourism contributed notably to sector growth, registering a 10% increase in revenue over 2025.
Long-haul travel trends indicate that German tourists are increasingly choosing destinations in the east. Maldives and Mauritius saw a 27% rise in bookings, while Thailand recorded a 3% increase. In contrast, the United States experienced a sharp decline in popularity, dropping from 8th to 14th place on the preferred destinations list due to economic challenges and stringent entry requirements.
DRV President Albin Loidl emphasized that German travelers continue to prioritize “safety and reliability” during periods of global uncertainty. He also noted a significant surge in demand for package tours including flights, with revenues up 14% and guest numbers up 12%, highlighting the continued success of this travel model.
The top ten destinations for the 2026 summer season, ranked by revenue, are as follows:
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