In a trading statement, Tui said summer 2022 sales across the UK, Germany and the Netherlands had now reached 12.9 million bookings, with sales currently at 91% of summer 2019 levels.

It added: “Overall actual selling price continues to hold up strongly at +18% versus summer 2019, reflecting a higher mix of package products and the popularity of our summer holidays which will help to soften the impact from the current higher inflationary environment. 

“Over 5.3 million customers departed for their Tui holiday during the main summer months of July and August, doubling the 2.6 million customers who travelled in July and August last year.”

The operator added July and August sales had ended at 94% of summer 2019 levels. “The UK continues to remain our most advanced market in terms of bookings, with cumulative volumes remaining ahead of summer 2019 at +4%,” it said. 

Tui said winter 2022/23 bookings were at an early stage and predicted a programme “close to normalised pre- pandemic levels”. So far, 26% of the programme has been sold, with November and December at 81% of winter 2018/19 levels, it said.

Winter selling prices are up 26%, with the UK 9% ahead of winter 2018/19 in terms of bookings and 22% ahead in selling price. “As in summer, we continue to see a trend towards a higher share of short-term bookings for winter and strong pricing, confirming solid customer demand for holiday travel,” it added.

In cruise, Tui said its Marella brand continued to recover, with occupancies building strongly and rates in line with 2019 levels. 

It added: “Short-term bookings continue to represent a large share of overall bookings, however the proportion of mid- term bookings is increasing as customer confidence returns.”