TUI Travel plc has provided a business update, stating that trading for the winter season 2010/2011 has further strengthened across all source markets and that the 2011 summer season has started well in the UK and in the Nordic countries.

In a prepared statement, Peter Long, CEO, said that the company has performed well in the late summer market of 2010 and that the majority of its programs have been sold out. In recent weeks, he said, booking activity has accelerated across all source markets for the upcoming winter season and summer bookings for next year are starting well.

Demand is reported to be particularly strong for what TUI calls its “differentiated products” – meaning more unique vacation experiences. Thus, TUI has expanded existing concepts such as Thomson Couples travel in the UK.

Without posting revenue figures, TUI said that as of Aug. 1, 2010, bookings were up 2 percent in the UK, compared to the same time last year; up 17 percent in the Nordic countries; up 3 percent in Germany; up 10 percent in France; up 2 percent in Belgium; and down 4 percent in the Netherlands.

While it is early in the booking cycle, according to TUI, winter programs are 31 percent booked in the UK; 60 percent in the Nordic countries; and 35 percent in Germany.

In other developments, TUI Travel has reorganized its structure into four business sectors: Mainstream, which has 60 brands, including Thomson Cruises and Island Cruises; specialist and activity for “experiential travel;” accommodations and destinations; and emerging markets.

TUI Travel will book some 23 million travelers in 2010. The company also owns 143 aircraft and has 3,500 travel agencies.