TUI in Carnival joint venture – 65 new aircraft ordered
TUI is to create a joint venture with Carnival Corporation to enter the high volume pemium cruise segment.
The German travel giant, which has announced 2,600 UK job cuts today, is also creating a new Europe-wide internet portal for flights.
A new brand – TUIfly.com – will cover the company’s German flight business though the merger of Hapagfly and Hapag-Lloyd Express to give a fleet of 56 aircraft next year.
It has ordered an additional 65 Boeings worth two billion euros for delivery from 2010 to replace leased aircraft currently oeprated in all source markets.
TUI is to acquire up to 25% in a joint venture with Carnival to tap into the German cruise market. The group is currently represented in the luxury segment by Hapag-Lloyd Kreuzfahrten and operates the budget Thomson Cruises brand in the UK.
“We are now planning to close a gap in the high-volume premium sector with TUI Cruises,” said CEO Michael Frenzel.
Carnival’s German cruise arm AIDA will be brought into the joint company and a separate TUI Cruises brand will be established with the first 3,000-passenger ship to be delivered in 2010.
Meanwhile, TUI signalled an ambition to grow its online business to account for more than a quarter of total turnover – up from 18% – within the next three years.
At the same time, Frenzel stressed that travel agencies will remain a key distribution channel in Germany.
“We are pursuing a clear objective – on an average we are planning to grow 50% inthe internet segment in the respective source markets wthin the next three years,” said Frenzel.
Report by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps