Greece “Soars” for 2026 as German Pre-Bookings Rival Spain – Top Picks Crete, Rhodes & Kos
TUI is reporting exceptional demand for Greece in 2026, with German pre-bookings already approaching the levels traditionally held by Spain.
Boosted by major Black Friday promotions, an expanded TUI fly flight programme, and a strengthened partnership with the Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO), Greece is emerging as one of the top travel choices for the new season.
Record Demand From Germany for 2026
According to TUI, the new season has begun with an “excellent start,” driven by consistently high demand and strong Black Friday week sales. Current pre-booking data shows Greece nearly matching Spain in total demand from the German market, with Turkey following behind.
The enhanced cooperation between TUI and the GNTO is also expected to further elevate Greece’s position as a premier holiday destination in 2026.
Crete, Rhodes, Kos Lead – Smaller Islands Also Rising
TUI notes significant increases in bookings for major Greek islands such as Crete and Rhodes, while smaller destinations including Corfu and Samos are also seeing strong momentum.
In Halkidiki, the new TUI Kids Club Blue Lagoon has become a family favourite, recording double-digit growth.
Each year, more than 4 million TUI travellers choose Greece, with access to over 50 TUI-branded hotels.
TUI fly supports this demand with approximately 180 weekly flights to destinations such as Crete, Rhodes and Kos.
Top 5 Destinations for 2026
Based on early data, TUI ranks the five leading destinations for 2026 as:
- Antalya
- Mallorca
- Crete
- Rhodes
- Kos
Egypt is also seeing strong growth—around 30% compared to last year. In Italy, TUI is focusing heavily on self-drive holidays, adding 70 new hotels, particularly in the northern regions.
Long-haul travel is rising as well, with notable increases for Mauritius and the UAE.
Early German Bookings Surge
Summer 2026 is attracting German travellers unusually early. On May 29, the day TUI opened bookings for the new season, more than 10,000 reservations were made—an exceptionally strong start.
Growing Interest in The Peloponnese and Athens
According to TUI Product Director Steffen Boehnke, travellers are seeking immersive experiences and authentic encounters with local culture. As a result, “round trips are no longer a niche product.”
New additions to TUI’s personalised tour programmes include:
City breaks are up 9%, with expanded offerings for Paris, Istanbul, Athens, London and Porto.
Long-Haul Travel, Cruises & Road Trips on the Rise
A recent survey by TUI and Appino shows that one in four Germans plans to explore a new continent in 2026. Asia and Africa are among the most desirable regions.
TUI is expanding its hotel portfolio accordingly, with more than 25 new branded hotels already opened in Asia.
Cruise interest is strong as well: 20% of respondents plan to take a cruise in 2026. TUI Cruises will debut its new ship, Mein Schiff Flow, next year.
Road trips also remain a stable trend, with 18% planning to travel by car within Germany or Europe.
Solo travel continues to grow, with over 12% planning a solo holiday. TUI offers dedicated Solo Weeks at properties like TUI Magic Life Candia Maris in Crete.
UAE a Standout Among Families
Long-haul favourites for German travellers include the USA, Thailand, Maldives, Mauritius and the UAE. Destinations such as Mauritius, Seychelles, Japan and South Africa are seeing particularly strong growth.
The Emirates continue to post double-digit increases—even during peak summer.
TUI Expands Its Hotel Portfolio Across Asia & Africa
For summer 2026, TUI will introduce 15 new hotels, including:
- TUI Blue Pardu in Sardinia
- The first TUI Kids Club in Italy, at Lake Garda
- Additional Kids Clubs in Germany and Turkey
- The second The Mora luxury hotel in Tunisia
- The first TUI Blue in the Caribbean, in Curaçao
New destinations such as Gambia are also entering the TUI network, with TUI Blue Tamala marking the first TUI property in West Africa.
Further expansion includes:
- TUI Suneo Da Nang in Vietnam
- Riu Palace Phuket in Thailand
- Riu Ventura in Cancun
- Riu Palace Swahili in Zanzibar
Family Offers Strengthened for 2026
TUI is placing special emphasis on affordability for families:
- Children’s prices start from €149
- In many European family hotels, children aged up to 11 stay free in their parents’ room
From December 4–9, TUI is offering a special family deal with children’s prices at €99 in selected hotels, including:
- TUI Kids Club Roda Beach in Corfu
- Selected hotels in Mallorca and Menorca
TUI Germany CEO Benjamin Jacobi highlights that supporting family travel is a priority:
“Family tourism must remain affordable.”
This comes after years of rising prices that disproportionately affected families, pushing many away from organised holiday packages.
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EES system EU, ETIAS 2026, EU visitor trends, German tourism Greece, Greece tourism 2025, Greece tourism revenue, Greek economy, Greek travel industry, September spending dip, tourism statistics Greece, travel regulations Europe, UK visitors Greece
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