How are holiday bookings going in Germany?

Holiday bookings for the 2025 summer season in Germany gained momentum significantly in May. According to Travel Data + Analytics ( TDA ), it was reported that the reservations made in May 2025 increased by 8 percent in terms of turnover compared to the previous year. Thus, the cumulative booking balance of the summer season improved, albeit slightly.

While 25 percent of bookings in May were for short-term holidays (travel within the same month), 24 percent were for the Pfingsten ( Pennetsin ) holiday in June. Meanwhile, another 24 percent have already secured winter or summer holidays for 2026.

There has also been an increase in bookings for July and August, the peak of the summer season. The July-August booking rate, which was 24 percent in April, rose to 29 percent in May and 37 percent in mid-June.

Last minute discounts from operators

Alexandra Weigand, TDA Sales and Consulting Director , states that many tour operators have entered the last-minute season with high discounts. However, it is emphasized that this growth in the market is due to price increases and that there has not yet been a strong increase in demand. According to FUR Travel Analysis 2025, Germans are still eager to travel; however, demand could fall rapidly if the price-performance balance is disrupted.

US travel declines

While it is stated that long-haul travel accounts for 10 percent of total summer bookings, the increase in demand for destinations such as the Maldives , Mauritius , Thailand and the Dominican Republic is notable. However, sales to the US are in significant decline. Sales to the US for the summer season are down 18 percent compared to the previous year, and the number of bookings is down 24 percent.

The reason the US is still among the top 10 destinations is because of the strong early bookings that came in by the end of January. The decline that started in February turned negative for the whole year.

Tensions between Israel and Iran and recent attacks by the US have increased security concerns in the region. The A3M Crisis Early Warning Service reports that air corridors south of Israel are particularly congested. Many airlines are still opting for routes away from direct conflict zones. The impact on bookings to the Middle East is expected to be more apparent in June sales figures.

First winter data on the way after FTI's bankruptcy

The gap in the market following the bankruptcy of FTI Group last year is being watched closely by tour operators and agencies. TDA will soon announce the first booking data for the 2025/26 winter season. The trends that will emerge in the new season are expected to be decisive in terms of both operator strategies and consumer behavior.