Summer holiday bookings ‘close to pre-pandemic levels’ says TUI boss – here’s how to still get a cheap deal

SUMMER holiday bookings have soared in recent weeks as Covid restrictions ease across the world – but cheap deals are still available.

TUI boss Fritz Joussen is predicting a bumper summer due to “pent-up” demand from holiday-starved Brits who are desperate to jet off after two years of the pandemic.

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Covid restrictions are already easing in countries around the world, and summer holiday bookings increase each time rules are scrapped.

The travel agency revealed 3.5m customers had booked a trip for summer 2022 as of January 30, which is the same rate as summer 2019, so TUI expects this summer to be close to pre-pandemic levels.

Mr Joussen said: “We expect a strong summer 2022. The path out of the pandemic is becoming increasingly clear. Demand for travel is high across all markets.

“There is pent-up demand among customers. Every step towards normality gives people confidence and the demand for holidays increases immediately.

“Despite the still ongoing trend towards very short-term bookings, we see the strong demand for the upcoming summer 2022.”

Cheap trips to popular holiday hotspots are still available if you look hard enough, with destinations including Greece, Spain and Portugal.

• To book a summer holiday with TUI –

You can bag a seven-night stay at a hotel in Thassos, Greece with a sea view and pool, including flights from Gatwick with 10kg of hand luggage and 15kg of checked luggage, in May from £214pp.

Spend a week at a hotel in Majorca, including flights from Gatwick and 23kg of checked luggage in May from £239pp.

Or jet off for seven nights at an apartment in Portugal with flights from Bristol and 23kg of luggage in May from £247pp.

If that has put you in the mood to bag a holiday but you can’t wait until summer, we’ve got some last-minute sunshine breaks in February, March and April from £120pp.

You can stay in the hotel from ITV’s Benidorm from £199 per week.

EasyJet has launched a new discount for single parents – with savings of up to £100.

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