German travel association DRV said on Thursday that sales for this winter have exceeded pre-pandemic values, even though the number of travellers is still below the pre-crisis levels.

The sales volume has already exceeded 2018-19 winter figures by 6%, according to evaluations by Travel Data + Analytics (TDA), DRV said.

Demand for holidays organised with tour operators in the upcoming winter is developing very promisingly, DRV added.

"Nevertheless, there are a considerable number of people in this country who can no longer or do not want to afford an organised trip," DRV president Norbert Fiebig said.

About 20% fewer people have booked a holiday with a tour operator than in the winter before the pandemic, while holiday spending and prices have gone up by 27%, DRV said.

"Politicians must combat inflation and provide relief. It's about people having more money in their pockets for consumption," Fiebig said, adding that vacations must remain affordable even for average earners.

Revenues this summer were also above pre-COVID-19 levels, according to the DRV, though the number of travellers who have booked a holiday with a tour operator is still lagging behind the pre-crisis level. (Reporting by Klaus Lauer Writing by Ozan Ergenay Editing by Miranda Murray)