Summer vacation 2023: Tui boss sees less chance of last-minute bargains - where is vacation still cheap?

In the past, spontaneous holidaymakers in particular could hope for significantly reduced prices. These times are over from the point of view of Tui boss Sebastian Ebel.

Not good news for spontaneous holidaymakers who are still hoping for cheap deals: there are fewer chances of last-minute bargains this summer. At least that's what Tui boss Sebastian Ebel believes. "There won't be a 'last-minute summer' in 2023 like there used to be," the head of Germany's largest travel provider told Bild am Sonntag. "On the contrary, prices will be higher rather than cheaper shortly before departure, because hoteliers and airlines also know that there will still be a lot of bookings at short notice. Spontaneous bargains will be the absolute exception."

Holidays in Greece are popular – there are many beautiful beaches on Crete, for example. (Archive image/Symbolic image) © Nikolas Kokovlis/NurPhoto/Imago

Summer vacation 2023: Fewer chances of last-minute bargains

From his point of view, the time of cheap flights for less than 50 euros is also over: The demand for holiday flights in particular exceeds the supply, Ebel said in the interview. "That's why these low-cost offers with selective exceptions for marketing campaigns will no longer exist as they used to."

At the beginning of the year, travel experts had already pointed out that summer holidays in 2023 could be significantly more expensive than in previous years. If you want to save a little, you should book early or look for a cheaper destination – Albania, for example, is considered an insider tip for a summer holiday.

Mallorca, mainland Spain, Turkey – "still capacity"

When asked which destinations are already fully booked, Ebel said in an interview with Bild am Sonntag (as of 7 May): "Greece is the best booked. In some resorts, there are almost no free beds left, such as popular hotels on the islands of Kos, Crete or Rhodes. There is still capacity in Mallorca, mainland Spain and Turkey."

Holidays in Morocco, Cyprus or Thailand still comparatively cheap

As a result, a holiday in the following countries should still be comparatively cheap. Ebel reveals: "Countries such as Morocco, Tunisia, Cyprus and Thailand are recording only minor price changes compared to the previous year. In some Mediterranean countries, prices are cheaper than in Germany itself. In Spain, you can eat and drink much cheaper than in Germany."