MADRID, Feb 28 (Reuters) - A gradual reopening of international tourism helped Spain's Melia Hotels reduce its net annual loss by 68% in 2021, the company said on Monday, as it forecast the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic would continue to gather steam this year.

The Mallorca-based group's net loss narrowed to 192.9 million euros ($216.4 million) in 2021 from 595.9 million euros a year earlier, it said, while revenue jumped 71% to 902.4 million euros.

"Our 2021 results show clear signs of recovery in the industry, with a very significant increase in our revenues quarter after quarter despite the impact of Omicron in December," Chief Executive Gabriel Escarrer said in a statement.

Bookings for this summer already exceed 2019 levels and are at higher average prices, the company said, adding that it expected 2022 to be a "historic year for resort tourism".

Melia said it was premature to give a definitive assessment of how Russia's invasion of Ukraine would affect its business but said any impact was likely to be limited and would not overshadow the expected recovery from the pandemic.

($1 = 0.8914 euros) (Reporting by Nathan Allen; Editing by Jan Harvey)