TUI is already the largest inbound tour operator from the Scandinavian countries and plans to increase its market share by introducing new products and increased flights from Europe.
TUI executives in Thailand
Recently a team of top executives from the world’s largest tour and travel operator TUI held a flying visit news conference to discuss TUIs plans to expand the tour market in Thailand.
Mr Peter Long, CEO of TUI Travel PLC and two of his executive team, Mr Johan Lundgren, MD for the Nordic region and Mr Christian Clemens CEO Nordic region discussed the company’s plans to increase the number of in bound tourist from Scandinavia, the UK and Ireland. They were particularly concerned with increasing the number of tourist from the UK and Ireland, who presently travel to the Caribbean.
Popular Thailand
For many years Thailand has been the most popular winter holiday destination for the Nordic countries that includes, Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland, with TUI having 42% if the market and bringing in 140,000 tourist every winter season.
However, Peter and his team said that the summer tourist trade from Scandinavia and the UK is very small with just 11,000 arrivals each year. TUI plans to increase that figure by 5,000 extra tourists to reach 16,000 arrivals for the summer market which they said was the company’s low point in Thailand. Even though the Far East may be a difficult summer sell because of the hot and humid climate at that time of year the executives are confident the figure will be achieved. TUI, Johan said, has a good relationship with the Tourism Authority of Thailand and are discussing with the TAT and hotel operators marketing strategies.
At present the favoured summer destinations for tourist from northern Europe and the UK/Ireland are the Mediterranean countries, the Canary Islands and the Caribbean.
Increase in Summer Tourists
To expand the summer market this year TUI launched direct flights from Scandinavian to four Thai airports besides Suvarnabhumi, they now fly non-stop to Surat Thani, Phuket, and Krabi with two weekly flights throughout the summer. Although the team expressed some disquiet at the facilities at Bangkok and Phuket particularly long lines and processing times at immigration being the most prevalent.
However, in a show of confidence in Thailand TUI Nordic is introducing a new family orientated brand: Blue Village Exotic to be launched in Thailand this winter in Bangtao Beach. The brand’s aim is to launch what CEO, Peter Long described as the ‘Wonders of the East’ and its exoticism to a greater northern European market.
World Economic Difficuties
Despite the world economic problems and Thailand’s domestic difficulties TUI and Peter Long and his team have every confidence in Thailand’s ability not just to maintain their market share of Scandinavian tourist but to increase that number.
New Aircraft
The TUI group operates 3,300 tour operators world wide as well as it’s own hotel and resort brand and airlines. TUI have ordered 23 Boeing 787s which will be used in the Thai market.
The benefits of the 787 are its lighter weight which means fuel savings of 20%, greater passenger comfort with enhanced entertainment options, more leg room and a greater seat incline. The cabin can also be pressurised at a lower altitude giving a more comfortable flight experience for passengers and a potential for a reduction in jet lag.
John Howe - John Howe is a qualified nurse, lecturer and journalist, he has written extensively on health, travel and lifestyle in Asia and Europe.
