“To the contrary, prices will be reasonably stable, if not [lower],” said Fritz Joussen on a financial results call this morning. 

“It depends on demand… Everyone who wants to kick-start their business will do so with attractive offers, particularly us. 

“We want customers to come back so we will make interesting offers. 

“30% price increases do not fit into the picture I have.” 

It came as Tui reported “not so bad” bookings for summer 2020, with its programme 35% sold. 

Joussen said Tui would “reenergise the programme” where possible and where borders are open, and noted he expected a full recovery of tourism in 2022 at the latest.

"There is such a high demand," he said. "Next year I’m not 100% sure because of vaccines and medications, otherwise I would have said next year." 

The first locations likely to receive Tui customers were the Balearics, the Canaries, Greece, Cyprus, Croatia and Bulgaria, he said. 

“Areas where the infections are low and tourism can be saved and is an important driver of economic prosperity.”

He added winter 2021 bookings were open and up 8% in the UK, with summer 2021 booking volumes double last year’s.
 
He said for winter Brits were most interested in typically popular winter sun destinations like the Canaries and Egypt. Long-haul was more difficult to predict though. “We have good bookings, but it remains to be seen if that will sustain,” Joussen said. 

Meanwhile, Joussen said he expects cruising to return this year, but it will operate a “special cruising business”. 

“We have got most ships to north Germany and as soon as possible will offer German short cruises, where passengers cruise for 3-5 days on the North Sea, which is popular in the summer,” he said.