Sun shines on Tui in late summer bookings rush

By the Editorial Team · Wednesday, September 23, 2026

Tui has seen a 2 percent rise in late summer holiday bookings to Greece and Spain despite an overall 5 percent decline in summer demand and ongoing disruptions from geopolitical tensions. The company narrowed its full-year profit forecast to £1 billion–£1.1 billion, citing continued economic pressures and travel uncertainties while expecting further impacts on winter bookings.

Europe’s largest travel company, Tui, has reported a recent increase in late summer holiday bookings, particularly to destinations in Greece and Spain. Over the past four weeks, bookings rose by around 2 percent as travelers opted to reserve trips closer to departure dates amid ongoing geopolitical and economic uncertainties. Despite this uptick, the company’s overall summer bookings remain down 5 percent compared to last year, with demand in the UK and Germany declining by 7 percent and 2 percent respectively.

Tui attributed part of the subdued demand to higher living costs and heightened fuel prices linked to the war in the Middle East, which has also led to disruptions in its cruise itineraries. Bookings for its cruise sector this season are down 6 percent, with routes in the Middle East being revised due to the conflict. Nevertheless, the company noted gradual improvements in cruise occupancy levels, fueled by growing interest in destinations such as the Caribbean, Central America, the Mediterranean, South Africa, and the Indian Ocean.

Looking ahead to the winter season, Tui anticipates continued late booking patterns amid persistent geopolitical uncertainties. Winter bookings are reported to be down 7 percent overall, including a 9 percent decline in the UK market. Popular winter destinations identified include the Canary Islands, mainland Spain, Egypt, and Cape Verde, with long-haul locations like Thailand, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic also attracting travelers.

In response to these trends, Tui has narrowed its full-year profit guidance to a range between £1 billion and £1.1 billion (approximately €1.2 billion to €1.3 billion), a reduction from its previous broader estimate of £940 million to £1.2 billion. This adjustment assumes that geopolitical tensions do not escalate further and that fuel supplies remain stable. The company had temporarily suspended its revenue guidance earlier this year due to the uncertainty created by the conflict in the Middle East.

Tui’s leadership emphasized efforts to manage rising costs through targeted price strategies and cost-cutting measures, which have helped offset soaring fuel expenses. Industry analysts have highlighted the company’s strong reputation for providing reliable and quality holiday experiences as a factor supporting its resilience amid challenging conditions and travel disruptions.

Overall, while recent weeks have seen an encouraging rebound in bookings for late summer travel, Tui cautions that economic pressures and geopolitical developments will continue to influence consumer behavior and the travel market in the near term. The company is expected to provide more detailed financial results in December.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.