Things are getting tight in Spain, the Balearic Islands and Greece. image: dpa / Arturo Jimenez
The summer of 2026 will be a stress test for Europe’s holiday hotspots. Geopolitical tensions are shifting tourist flows. This has consequences: In destinations like Spain and Greece, things are getting tight – and more expensive.
May 25, 2026, 10:37 p.mMay 25, 2026, 10:37 p.m
Felix Gräber / watson.de
The longing for sun, beach and sea will again drive millions of tourists south in the summer of 2026. But while many otherwise take advantage of the wide range of offerings in the Mediterranean region, the explosive situation in the Middle East is causing a noticeable redistribution this year. Many travelers avoid visiting countries like Turkey or Egypt due to safety concerns. The relatively close location to current trouble spots obviously gives people a bad feeling about the holidays.
Worry about the holidays: Spain and Greece benefit
In return, the western Mediterranean with destinations such as Spain and Greece is becoming a refuge – with all the consequences of demand that is skyrocketing.
This is what the current balance sheet for the 2026 summer business of tour operator TUI shows: Demand for the Balearic Islands, Canary Islands and Greek Islands is at a good level, reports the industry portal Aviation Direct. Under the current conditions, these destinations are becoming strongholds for everyone looking for safety and relaxation during their holidays. The downside: the capacities on Spain’s and Greece’s beaches are coming under pressure.
Holidaymakers feel this not only in the prices for accommodation or flights. Prices could also rise locally, especially since other price-driving factors such as concerns about the supply of crude oil have not been eliminated. Quite apart from these worries, there could also be a very banal problem during the relaxed holidays: it gets crowded on the beach, the promenade, in restaurants and ice cream parlors.
If you dream of spontaneously getting a cheap offer, you shouldn’t give up hope just yet. On the one hand, there is little scope for price reductions, says TUI boss Sebastian Ebel. On the other hand, the current crises have another effect: holidaymakers are unusually reserved; many have not yet booked for the summer. The group is therefore hoping that the last-minute business will give a significant boost to its profits.
This is also supported by the fact that TUI does not see a significant increase in domestic tourism. Long-distance travel destinations are not written off.
While travel prices in Spain and Greece remain at least at the same level as last year, according to travel providers, there are still cheap destinations in the summer of 2026. But often exactly the ones that security-conscious travelers are currently avoiding. Precisely because cautious customers are missing, travel providers and airlines have to respond with low prices.
Flying could become even more expensive in 2026
By the way: Anyone who speculates on the possibilities at the end of the summer season is taking a big risk. The uncertainty in the supply of kerosene is likely to lead to rising ticket prices. Many airlines are still emphasizing that no problems are expected in the summer. But they also make it clear that the price trend is upwards.
There is a special situation for Spain: a total solar eclipse will be visible in several places in northern Spain in August. This is already driving up prices around the places that could be considered locations to observe the celestial spectacle.
You might also be interested in: