TUI, the travel and tourism company, has kicked off its fiscal year 2026 with the best first quarter in its history. The adjusted operating profit (underlying EBIT) rose by 26.3 million euros to reach 77.1 million euros, compared to 50.9 million euros the previous year. Despite facing a challenging and highly competitive market environment in Europe, the group's revenues remained stable, amounting to 4.9 billion euros, reflecting a 1.3 percent increase at constant currency rates. The firm served 7.1 million customers in the first quarter, which is a slight increase of 2.2 percent compared to last year.

In a significant move, TUI announced a return to dividend payments after a hiatus of several years, with a proposed payout of 0.1 euros per share slated for approval at the upcoming annual general meeting. The message from TUI’s CEO, Sebastian Ebel, underscores satisfaction with the company’s first quarter results, indicating that they meet expectations and affirm the effectiveness of their strategy in achieving sustainable growth. He highlighted that vacations continue to be a core priority for TUI, which is focusing on profitable growth in its hotel, cruise, and TUI Musement segments, which encompasses tours and activities.

The performance hints at a strong recovery and solid strategic positioning for TUI as it navigates a competitive landscape. The results may not only boost investor confidence but also indicate a revival in consumer demand for travel and tourism services post-pandemic. With strong operational results and a return to dividend distribution, TUI is positioned well for future growth, seeking to leverage its operational strengths to adapt to market conditions effectively.