TUI is to expand its high-street presence with 18 store openings by the end of 2023 and will run local recruitment campaigns to find staff.

The new branches are in addition to three that have already opened this year, at Liverpool Speke, Oxford and Banbury, bringing the total number of outlets TUI has committed to open during 2023 to 21.

TUI currently has 317 UK retail stores after closing 166 shops in July 2020 – almost a third of its total number of high-street branches at the time – then a further 48 in March 2021.

The locations of the remaining 18 stores are yet to be announced.

TUI Director of Sales Channels Belinda Vazquez said: “There is no doubt that the High Street has changed over the last few years but are seeing a resurgence of people wanting that face-to-face interaction, especially since the pandemic leaving consumers looking for expert advice and reassurance.”