In a first, Egypt overtakes Spain as the most attractive winter destination for Germans
According to the German travel magazine Dertour, industry experts attribute the success of the Egyptian tourism sector to its stable climate, short flights, and a diverse portfolio of premium travel packages.
The findings were published in the latest travel barometer released by Dertour Germany for the winter season spanning November 1, 2025, to February 28, 2026.
The comprehensive analysis compared booking data compiled across prominent travel brands, including Dertour, ITS, Meiers Weltreisen, and Travelix Last Minute, against the corresponding period from the previous year.
The CEO of Dertour for Germany and Austria, Boris Raoul, noted that customer volumes remained stable compared to the prior winter season.
“This trend represents a highly positive indicator, particularly given the challenging consumer climate,” Raoul stated.
He added that the winter season experienced an exceptional, strong start, recording an increase of more than thirty percent in customer volume.
Shifting travel preferences and Egypt’s competitive edge
The report highlighted a distinct consumer preference, with sixty-five percent of travelers opting for short and medium-haul flights during their winter vacations—a growth of two percentage points compared to last year.
Conversely, only thirty-five percent of holidaymakers selected long-haul destinations, representing a two-percentage-point decline.
Egypt emerged as the most successful market in this bracket, securing the top spot on the list of most popular destinations following a fifteen percent surge in visitor numbers, ultimately eclipsing Spain.
The Chief Product Officer at Dertour, Sven Schikarsky, elaborated on the factors driving this momentum: “Egypt’s primary success factors include its reliable climate, short flight times, and a wide array of high-quality offerings, with a particular emphasis on comprehensive all-inclusive packages.”
European rankings and short-haul dynamics
While Egypt secured the top position, Spain thereby shifted to second place, maintaining robust demand driven primarily by the popularity of the Canary Islands for winter getaways.