In an interview on the Tui website, Fritz Joussen said he was optimistic about the new year.

“The indicators and trends are intact, summer 2022 is well booked and currently in line with capacity expectations,” he said.

“It is still too early to make a real forecast for the 2022 summer season. But we are optimistic that tourism will be able to recover to 2019 levels next summer. At the same time, we also know from 2021 that bookings will be made much later and at shorter notice.”

Joussen said another trend was demand for higher value travel and more add-ons. 

“Holidaymakers are willing to spend more money on, for example, room upgrades, a higher quality hotel or individual, authentic experiences. There has also been a slight increase in the average length of stay. 

“At the moment we are seeing a strong shift towards the Mediterranean countries. We expect recovery in the long-haul business to follow a little later. But the long-haul destinations are on the way back, including North Africa and the Cape Verde Islands.”

He said the travel industry would benefit from changes in society as a whole: “Tourism is and will remain a strong growth market. It benefits from overarching social trends that are already very evident today and will intensify in the long term: People are getting older; they are healthier and live more consciously. 

“Many have the financial means and make a conscious decision to travel. For many people, experiences and encounters are more important than property and possessions. You could say that experiences are the new luxury. 

“The pandemic has merely hit a pause button, but the trends are unbroken and continue.”