TUI Group is strengthening its presence in China, with the joint venture with the Chinese CTS Group extended by 15 years to 2033.
TUI China was established by CTS and TUI in 2003, with the new deal revealed as TUI Group chief executive Fritz Joussen visits to China.
“We are seeing new travel trends, in particular among young Chinese travellers.
“For a long time, the focus was on city breaks, culture and shopping.
“Young Chinese consumers are now discovering ‘Western-style’ sun and beach holidays, sports, wellness and relaxation,” said Joussen.
According to Joussen, TUI is well prepared for this second wave of Chinese outbound tourism thanks to its successful, trust-based joint venture with CTS.
TUI’s current footprint in China consists of offices in Beijing and Shanghai.
At the beginning of the year, Joussen presented the strategic programme TUI 2022.
By 2022, the world’s number one tourism group is aiming to tap new growth markets and further expand its business in South East Asia.
“We already take European tourists to China, while Chinese tourists are travelling to Europe with us. In future, China will be a travel hub within Asia.
“We are aiming to offer Chinese customers holidays in Malaysia, Thailand or Vietnam the way we are offering travel within Europe for German, French or Swedish customers,” said Joussen.
“Winning an additional one billion euros in turnover and an additional one million customers, focusing on China – and all based on digitalisation.”
TUI Group is the world’s number one integrated tourism group operating in around 180 destinations worldwide.
The company is domiciled in Germany.
