TUI Group is reporting a post-Easter bookings uplift, with momentum building from the beginning of May.
With the peak travel period of Easter falling in April this year, TUI reported a bigger loss in the second quarter of its 2025 financial year, but Group CEO Sebastian Ebel said bookings have picked up since 1 May.
Addressing reports that the family market has been slow to book so far this year, Sebastian acknowledged ‘there could be some sense that this is more challenging’ at the ‘lower’ family market end. But he said there were plenty of options available.
“People have a budget and if they can’t afford Spain, there is Tunisia, Cape Verde, or Egypt,” he said. “We can offer a lot of destinations.”
Group revenue for January to March 2025 was €3.71 billion, up from €3.68bn the previous year. TUI Group made a pre-tax loss of €207 million (£174m) and shaved €32m (£27m) off its second quarter results. Last year TUI Group recorded a loss of €189m (£159m) in the same period.
Overall, 2.6m customers travelled with TUI between January and March 2025, a drop of 200,000 on the previous year.
The operator described the quarter as ‘strong’, adding it remains on track for a profitable full year, despite ‘challenging’ economic conditions.
Sebastian said: “The environment was challenging. And the second half of the year will also remain demanding for the overall economy in Europe. Our integrated and diversified business model with its activities in Europe and increasingly also outside Europe, proved its worth again in the second quarter.
“The Hotel, Cruises and activities business benefited from strong tour operator and travel sales.
“Our focus is now on the important summer business. We are offering more and more products in more destinations for existing and new customers. In times of economic and political challenges, we are focusing on securing margins, driving forward the transformation of the Markets + Airline business (tour operators, retail and TUI Airline) and consistently reducing costs. Travel agencies remain an important partner and distribution channel.”
Group CFO Mathias Kiep said: “We are in a good financial position as a Group.”
