The world's largest holiday company had in March reported 8.9 million bookings for the period stretching from winter to summer this year, as the number of holidaymakers rose toward pre-pandemic levels.

"Two trends are obvious: bookings are becoming considerably more premium and they are being made at a considerably shorter notice," Joussen wrote to staff. "This is good for turnover, margins and profitability."

TUI said earlier this year that summer holiday bookings were approaching pre-COVID levels on pent-up demand, with a steady recovery in Britain since restrictions and testing rules were lifted.

(Reporting by Olaf Brenner; Writing by Joseph Nasr; Editing by Alexandra Hudson)