Dertour Group has opened around 80% of its winter 2026-2027 travel programme for bookings, giving travellers early access to holidays across Europe, Asia, Africa and the Caribbean as tour operators compete for advance winter sales.
The programme covers products sold under the Dertour, ITS and Meiers Weltreisen brands and includes winter sun destinations such as Türkiye, the Canary Islands and Egypt, alongside long-haul trips to the Maldives, Thailand, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and the Caribbean.
The German travel group said travellers booking early could benefit from wider hotel availability, fixed package prices and discounts of up to 45% on selected hotel stays. Savings of up to 150 euros per person are also available on some guided tours and round trips.
The early release comes as European tour operators continue pushing advance bookings for winter travel, particularly for destinations where hotel capacity and flight availability tighten months before departure.
Sven Schikarsky, product managing director at Dertour Germany, said the strategy was designed to give customers greater planning security before peak booking demand begins later in the year.
“Those who book early benefit from the largest choice and can secure their preferred hotels, tours and travel dates in advance,” Schikarsky said in the company announcement. He added that the operator would absorb possible post-booking flight surcharges, allowing travellers to keep the agreed package price.
Focus on long-haul and winter sun demand
Dertour Group said strong interest in long-haul destinations and guided tours was one reason behind the early launch of the winter programme. The company noted that destinations such as Japan often face limited hotel capacity well ahead of departure dates.
In addition to beach destinations, the winter programme includes safari and adventure tours in South Africa and Kenya, as well as winter experiences in Finland and Norway.
The operator is also targeting travellers seeking flexibility despite booking early. Under the company’s Flex Package, customers can usually change or cancel bookings free of charge up to 15 days before departure.
The expanded booking window also helps travel companies improve visibility on forward demand and secure airline and hotel inventory earlier in the sales cycle.
Dertour Group, part of Germany’s REWE Group, is one of Europe’s largest travel companies and operates multiple tour operator, travel agency and hotel brands across the continent.
The company said the remaining 20% of the winter 2026-2027 portfolio would be released gradually in the coming months as additional products and flight schedules become available.
Photo Credit: Denis Moskvinov / Shutterstock.com
