Tourexpi
TUI Group is strengthening its global presence and
accelerating its growth in sub-Saharan Africa. Following a visit to Zanzibar
and Kenya and the opening of the first hotel of the new TUI brand The Mora in
Zanzibar, CEO Sebastian Ebel said: "Africa has great potential:
culturally, scenically and economically. Demographically, we are encountering a
young, dynamic society, which is a decisive advantage for a service industry.
We are already represented on the west coast with Cape Verde and Senegal, and
in the north with Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia. Now another African cluster is
being created on the east coast on the Indian Ocean. We are taking a holistic
approach - environmental, social and economic sustainability are at the heart
of our strategy when developing new destinations." He sees particular
potential for the Robinson club brand and for TUI Blue. Ebel announced two more
Robinson Clubs in Africa: on Zanzibar and on the Cape Verdean island of Boa
Vista. "The decisions have been made, the architects and designers are
working. Construction will begin shortly," said Ebel.
TUI is already one of the leading international
leisure hotel companies with around 420 hotels and resorts under its own
brands. This segment of the Group is growing continuously and is highly
profitable. The hotel business is sometimes still perceived as being
overshadowed by the tour operators in the Group. "Our tour operators
provide access to sales markets and customers all over the world. The hotel and
cruise companies stand for the customer experience at the holiday destination -
special places that we create with our brands such as Robinson, TUI Magic Life,
TUI Blue and RIU. TUI is a leading developer, investor and operator when it
comes to new destinations and holiday experiences. After West Africa, we see
great potential in East Africa – not only for guests from Europe, but also for
new guests from North and South America and the Middle East. This is in line
with our strategy: profitable growth through more products and new
customers."
When developing new destinations, TUI can
contribute with its integrated business model, which brings together leading
tour operators, hotels, cruises, experiences and local activities as well as
the Group's own airline under one umbrella. With TUI's holistic approach, new
tourism destinations can be developed and expanded together with local partners
– in an economically, ecologically and socially sustainable way. A particular
focus is on the production of renewable, green energy and the protection of natural
resources. Social issues such as providing housing for the growing population
and strengthening the participation of local people through the use of local
products and services are also part of the development strategy. The TUI Care
Foundation, which is supported by the Group, has already been active in several
countries in sub- Saharan Africa for many years. In Zanzibar, the independent
foundation has been committed to providing training programmes for
disadvantaged people - especially young women – and strengthening young
creatives and local small businesses since 2016. The TUI Care Foundation also
recently launched a TUI Forest reforestation programme in Zanzibar and Kenya.
TUI is creating a new destination cluster on
Zanzibar with more of the Group’s own hotel brands, an expanded flight offering
and new experiences and activities for holidaymakers. With The Mora Zanzibar,
the fourth hotel on the island was opened last week. The new TUI luxury brand
strengthens the existing portfolio of three hotels of the RIU and TUI Blue
brands. Further projects on the archipelago are in preparation and will
steadily expand TUI's hotel portfolio in the coming years – including a new
Robinson Club. The approach follows the example of Cape Verde off the coast of
West Africa. In just a few years, TUI has developed a new holiday destination
on the islands of Sal and Boa Vista, which is now one of the Group's most
popular year-round destinations.
Peter Krüger, Member of the Executive Board and
CEO Holiday Experiences: "We will continue to expand our leading position
in the international leisure hotel industry and rely on TUI's unique
positioning. With our integrated business model, we are the preferred
development partner for many destinations. In the coming years, we will also
have an even stronger presence in Africa with our 12 own, differentiated and
strong hotel brands such as Robinson, TUI Blue and RIU. This will also enable
us to reach new guests – both via TUI's tour operators and via our new global
hotel distribution platform."
TUI's hotel portfolio is also growing in other
countries in sub-Sahara Africa. New hotel openings are planned in Senegal and
The Gambia, and the very successful hotel business in Cape Verde will be
further expanded and will also grow beyond the two islands of Sal and Boa Vista
in the coming years. This will further strengthen the Group's West Africa
cluster. In East Africa, Kenya is also on the growth list of TUI Hotels &
Resorts alongside Zanzibar.
Sebastian Ebel: "TUI's strategy is clearly
focussed on profitable growth. This means that we are tapping into new customer
segments and developing new destinations. Especially in sub-Saharan Africa,
many countries with their unique natural treasures, cultural wealth and great
hospitality have enormous development potential in tourism. We want to leverage
this together with our local partners."
Image
Credit: © TUI Group
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