The operator stated that searches for holiday packages for the end of summer increased by 7% on Sunday, July 20 compared to the previous week, and that reservations increased by more than 10% on Tuesday, July 9). Searches for winter sun holidays increased by almost 30% to the south of Gran Canaria and, especially, Playa del Inglés and Maspalomas.
TUI did not mention whether bad weather in the UK in recent weeks was also a contributing factor. It said Greece was the most searched destination, with Turkey, Cyprus and the Canary Islands recording increases of more than 20% in web searches week on week. the highest proportion of bookings came from the Midlands, with a 19% increase, while the North and Scotland saw "significant increases" week on week. Of other, Jet2.com and Jet2holidays have brought forward the launch of their new base in Bournemouth, number 12, by two months due to the strong demand for their services from agents and consumers on the south coast of Gran Canaria. The first flights to the Canary Islands will depart on February 4, 2025 instead of April 1.
This July Sebastián Ebel has been in Madrid. In a recent debate in Madrid the CEO of TUI highlighted the crucial role of sustainable tourism in driving economic growth and prosperity. Ebel, Jordi Hereu Boher, Spanish Minister of Industry and Tourism, and Rosario Sánchez Grau, Secretary of State for Tourism, participated in this debate. Ebel also discussed during the meeting updates related to the ongoing reviews of the European Package Travel Directive. "Tourism is sustainable and successful when local people see it as an added value for their city or region. They decide how much tourism is welcome and what type of tourism it should be," he said.
During the debate, Ebel highlighted the need for cooperation between the population, politicians and the tourism industry in holiday destinations to further strengthen the positive effects of tourism and develop comprehensive concepts for the living spaces and daily lives of the local population. “Social sustainability has to do particularly with the living spaces of the local population: education, training, employment, local culture, affordable housing. In many places around the world there are already proven joint initiatives for education, training and increasing local value creation. “We will continue this dialogue and strengthen it further with our partners.”
Sebastián Ebel highlighted that the ongoing conversations in Spain reflect a positive attitude towards tourism, with a focus on advocating for sustainable practices that respect the daily lives of local residents. It is crucial, he noted, to develop comprehensive strategies in collaboration with local stakeholders and the tourism sector to ensure a balance between the tourism ecosystem and the life of the local community.