Cook said that for the UK business average selling prices were also in-line with last year.

“We continue to manage through a more competitive market to Spain, as a result of higher hotel price inflation and increased air capacity to the region,” the operator said in a statement.

“Our focus, therefore, has been on selling higher margin, quality holidays rather than pursuing volume growth, and as a result, charter risk package pricing is up by 7% while bookings are up by 1%.”

Cook added that the underlying Ebit result of £36 million saw a stronger performance to Greece offset by greater competition to Spain.

Underlying Ebit for the group was up £10 million to £19 million, supported by the “recovery” of the German Condor airline. Gross profit was up £47 million to £468 million.

Overall group bookings for summer 2017 were up 11% with pricing up 1%, including significant growth to Greece (up 22%), Bulgaria (up 19%), Cyprus (up 14%) and long-haul destinations.

Cook added that winter 2017/18 was about 30% sold, with bookings ahead in all markets.

Turkey was also said to be recovering well, “as customers seek high-quality and value destinations”.

Full-year underlying operating profit is expected to be in-line with market forecasts.

Peter Fankhauser, chief executive of Thomas Cook, said: "Our increased focus on the customer is reflected in a good performance for the third quarter.

"Strong demand for our holidays across the group combined with an improved performance in our German airline to deliver a £10 million increase in profit versus the same period last year. This improved performance means Condor remains on track to return to profitability for the full year.

"So far, we are taking one and a half million more customers on holiday this summer than we did three years ago, showing the growth in demand for our modern package and flight offer.

"We continue to innovate to broaden our appeal with the launch of a ’Choose Your Room’ option in 300 of our core hotels for summer 2018.

"An 11% increase in bookings for this summer reflects good demand across all destinations. The pick-up in demand for Turkey we reported earlier in the year has continued, as customers are attracted to the quality and value on offer.

"As we go into the peak summer season, our holiday offering is in great shape. We have opened 11 new own-brand hotels for this summer, including a second Casa Cook, in Kos, offering affordable chic on the beach.

"We have also rolled out our 24-hour Satisfaction Promise to 2,000 hotels, giving 80% of customers in our core sun and beach hotels an added level of reassurance. These initiatives have helped to deliver a seven-point increase in customer satisfaction year-on-year.

"As we said in May, we are experiencing pressure on margins to Spain in what is a competitive environment, though this is being mitigated by our focus on our own-brand and core hotel offering and supported by strong overall demand for our summer holidays.

"As a result, we continue to expect our full year underlying operating result to be in line with current market expectations."