TUI AG, the Anglo-German tour operator, said its cruise operations and UK source market continue to perform well and highlighted four points that drive the good performance these activities.

Sustained strong performance by the UK, with revenue and bookings up 5%.

Continued strong trading by TUI Cruises, following the launch of Mein Schiff 5 in July. Sales for Mein Schiff 6 (which launches in Summer 2017) are also going well.

Further modernisation of the Thomson Cruises fleet, with the successful launch of TUI Discovery in June and additional ship TUI Discovery 2 for Summer 2017.

Expansion and modernisation of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises expedition offering, with two new vessels scheduled to launch in the Spring and Autumn of 2019, the company stated.

TUI AG owns Hapag-Lloyd Cruises and Thomson Cruises in full and has a 50% stake in TUI Cruises.

Friedrich Joussen, CEO, said in the statement: “We are continuing to deliver our strategy as a content centric, vertically integrated tourism group. The Summer 2016 season is almost fully sold, with a continued strong performance by the UK, Riu and Cruises, the launch this Summer of two additional cruise ships and the opening of five additional hotels in our core brands. Winter 2016/17 is trading in line with our expectations, with further growth driven by long haul.”

“ In addition, we are pleased to have announced the completion of the Hotelbeds Group disposal on 12 September and marketing of Travelopia (formerly part of Specialist Group) has commenced.”

“As we approach our 2015/16 year end, we are therefore confident of delivering between 12% and 13% growth in underlying EBITA1. This demonstrates the strength of our integrated business model and the success of our content centric strategy, as well as the continued delivery of our merger synergies,” he said.