Germans Looking at Three Greek Islands for Summer 2021 Holidays

Chania, Crete. Photo source: Visit Greece/E.Fili

German travelers eager to get away and leave Covid-19 behind them are planning to visit Crete in 2021, according to TUI booking data.

TUI Germany, a member of global leisure travel giant TUI Group, said three Greek islands were among the top destinations preferred by Germans planning their holidays for the summer this year.

Crete was first in the top 5 preferred destinations by German vacationers, moving up two spots compared to last year’s rankings and pushing Majorca out of the lead. Next up are Rhodes and Kos.

Germany is a leading source market for Greece, with nearly 3.21 million travelers choosing Greek destinations for their holidays in 2020, according to German market and consumer data firm Statista.

TUI said earlier this month that it was expecting tourism to pick up pace in the coming weeks.

In terms of popularity Spain is yet again number 1 for the summer of 2021 and its destinations: Mallorca, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria and Tenerife.

At the same time, according to Marek Andryszak, CEO at TUI Germany, the Turkish Riviera appears to be losing ground, dropping to fifth spot from third on the ranking in terms of bookings compared to last year.

Overall, however, Andryszak told the media that he expects demand to pick up in the coming period particularly in view of a strong booking trend for the summer.

According to Andryszak, July and August are likely to see increased routes to Mediterranean destinations.

He went on to add that there seemed to be a trend for higher spending compared to 2019 with many travelers seeking to make up for last year with longer stays at better hotels.

Based on current booking data, TUI’s most sought after destinations are Crete, Mallorca, Rhodes, Kos, Turkish Riviera, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Red Sea, Tyrol, Tenerife, Adriatic, Bavaria, Baltic coast, Northern Italian Lakes and Lake Garda, and Algarve.

Earlier this month, TUI CEO Fritz Joussen said Greece would likely be the first destination to reopen in view of Greek government plans to welcome visitors who provide proof of vaccination.

He said the UK holidaymakers would be able to visit Greece as soon as April.