These are impressive numbers from TUI. Since TUI Travel (the UK business) merged with the German business they have strengthened their position as the number one tour operator in Europe. With the disposal of the specialist holidays division (renamed Travelopia), the group has become even more focused on being a classical vertically integrated tour operator. This is in total contrast to some of the other “big beast” in the travel sector such as Expedia and Booking.com whose only assets are digital ones.
TUI's traditional model might be bucking the trend towards fragmentation and disintermediation, but it is proving highly successful and profitable.
From a recruitment perspective the regional trends in their demand patterns are also reflected in terms of demand for product and purchasing roles, which are currently focused on Western Med and Long Haul.
Growth in long haul and cruise bookings from the UK have helped drive a strong performance for Tui for this summer. UK customer numbers are up by 3% with an 11% increase in revenue. The summer programme from the UK is 53% sold – a higher proportion than other regions in Europe. Tui Group’s overall summer programme is 48% sold, in line with the same time last year. “Similar to winter, lower demand for North Africa and Turkey is offset by higher demand for other destinations such as the western Mediterranean and Caribbean,” the company said in a trading update this morning.
http://www.travelweekly.co.uk/articles/275842/cruise-and-long-haul-drive-uk-growth-for-tui
