Greece and Spain were “voted” as the most popular destinations among Europeans in 2022, according to TUI Holiday Atlas Summer 2022, based on the preferences of its customers.
The most popular destination of all is the Greek island of Crete, followed by Mallorca. The top 5 destinations also include the Canary Islands, Rhodes and Antalya.
Greece continues the strong trend of last year and is especially preferred by visitors from the Nordic countries and France. Apart from Crete, Rhodes and Kos are also in high demand. Meanwhile, in Spain, the Balearic Islands (and especially Mallorca) are most preferred. Mallorca remains the favorite destination for German visitors, while Spain itself is number one for the Belgians. Turkey is making a dynamic comeback as well, especially with British and Dutch but also with German tourists, and most will be heading to Antalya and the Turkish Riviera.
Tourist preferences by country:
UK
Many British holidaymakers are choosing the Turkish Riviera this year, especially Dalaman, as well as Egypt and Greece. The British also choose distant destinations, such as Mexico and Florida, Mauritius and the Maldives – a strong indication of the gradual return of long-distance destinations.
Germany, Austria & Switzerland
Mallorca is currently the top destination for German holidaymakers, followed by Antalya, and the island of Crete at number three. The top five vacation destinations also include two other Greek islands: Rhodes and Kos.
Due to the high number of bookings already made for the Easter holidays, TUI begins the summer season in Greece earlier than usual, beginning departures for Crete, Rhodes and Kos in early April.
Greece is also very popular in Austria. Visitors to TUI’s offices here are also looking to fly to Antalya, Mallorca, and the Croatian Adriatic coast, a returning popular holiday destination for Austrian travelers.
The top destination for TUI visitors from Switzerland is currently Greece as well, especially the island of Kos, followed by Mallorca and Antalya. Holiday bookings for Turkey and Spain have doubled compared to last year.
Scandinavian countries
As in previous years, Greece is the number 1 destination for Finns, Danes, Norwegians and Swedes. In first place are Crete, Rhodes and Samos, followed by Mallorca and Antalya. Apart from Greece, Spain and Turkey, Croatia and Cyprus are among the five most popular holiday destinations this year. Among TUI’s Swedish and Finnish visitors, Cyprus ranks second in bookings after Greece.
Netherlands
Turkey has seen a significant increase in bookings, but the Dutch are also traveling to the Greek islands, Mallorca and Portugal. The Netherlands Antilles, with the islands of Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao, are also very popular destinations this year.
Belgium
Spain is the most popular holiday destination for Belgians next season, which has prompted TUI Belgium to increase its capacity with additional or larger aircraft for Tenerife, Gran Canaria and the Costa del Sol. Greece is also very popular, and as many as a quarter of Belgian travelers are flying to the Greek islands this year. Turkey’s return is also impressive, with about 20% more bookings than in the same period in 2019 before the crisis.
France
Like last year, Greece is the top destination among French TUI visitors, who also visit Sicily, the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands.
This article was previously published in Greek at moneyreview.gr.
