Sunweb’s 2026 summer analysis indicates French travelers are spreading their vacations more evenly across the year, moving away from the traditional high-season rush.
The data shows July and August still host the bulk of departures, yet trips booked for the months before and after the peak are rising noticeably.
Peak months show mixed trends
July recorded a modest increase of 1.5% in traveler numbers compared with the previous year, keeping the month as a steady departure point.
In contrast, August experienced a sharp decline of 22%, even though it remains the most popular month, accounting for 35% of all departures.
Sun-destinations such as Greece and Tunisia saw the steepest drops in August, falling 25% and 33% respectively.
Spain’s decline was limited to 8%, helped by a 9% rise in Lanzarote bookings, and the country actually grew 21% in July.
The modest contraction for Tunisia in July aligns with overall lower demand for that market, contrasted with Spain’s strong performance. The 5% dip, while small, still contributes to the net shift of travelers toward other Mediterranean spots. This nuance highlights that not all sunny destinations followed the same upward trend in July, showing the importance of destination-specific marketing.
Growth in shoulder-season departures
Travelers heading out in April surged by 30%, marking the strongest month-to-month increase.
Both May and June each posted a 20% rise in departures, reinforcing the trend toward earlier vacations.
October bookings jumped 45% over the prior year, with the three main destinations climbing: Tunisia +132%, Greece +53%, and Spain +37%.
Families now represent 62% of October reservations, showing that the later-season demand is not limited to couples or solo travelers.
Changes in booking behavior and stay patterns
Last-minute reservations made in June and July rose 40% compared with 2025, now comprising a quarter of all July travelers.
A quiet March for summer bookings was attributed to heightened geopolitical tension and the conflict in the Middle East, which dampened early planning.
All-inclusive packages remain dominant, covering 77% of July stays and 76% of August stays.
Eight-day trips gained popularity, expanding from 37% to that same proportion in July and from 44% to 47% in August, while 15-day trips fell sharply to 7.5% from 13% in July.
In July, bookings for three-star accommodations surged 60% and five-star rose 18%, whereas four-star fell <strong