Tui Group reported second consecutive year of strong performance since the merger in 2014. Underlying earnings before interest, taxes and amortisation increased 12.5% to €1.03m in 2016 (€875,541 the year before), while earnings for the world’s biggest tourism operator’s continuing operations increased 14.5%.
The cruise sector remains a major growth driver for TUI Group and in the last financial year, cruises showed a 60% growth in earnings. Overall, TUI Group cruises delivered underlying EBITA of €130 million (previous year €81 million), with growth coming from both the German and UK markets.
For TUI Cruises, the 2,500-berth Mein Schiff 4 completed its first full year in operation, and in the summer of 2016, the fleet was expanded with the launch of sister ship Mein Schiff 5. TUI Cruises will launch Mein Schiff 6 this year, and two additional newbuilings will join the fleet in 2019.
Following its turnaround last year, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises delivered earnings growth of €17 million, with the average daily fare achieved up by 8%. Modernisation of the fleet operated by Hapag-Lloyd Cruises will take place in 2019 with two new luxury expedition ships.
TUI Group is investing in the expansion and modernisation of its fleet with three cruise lines in all, TUI Cruises, Thomson UK and Hapag-Lloyd.
In the premium segment, TUI Cruises dominates the German market. Generous facilities, quality, individual service and passenger comfort are guiding lights aboard the Mein Schiff fleet. Every passenger is offered a premium full-service package, so most food and drinks, along with use of the spa zone, are included in the fare.
And TUI Cruises is still growing. When the next two newbuildings enter service in 2019, the 1,870-berth Mein Schiff 1 & 2 will switch to Thomson Cruises in the UK.
Thomson Cruises is looking to strengthen its position in the UK by expanding its fleet. By 2019 it will have added three more vessels. Thomson Cruises appeals to a wide audience, with a philosophy founded on balance and diversity. From carefully composed cuisine to the all-day family programme to the night-time bar and casino, a wide range of passengers are offered an affordable cruise to suit their needs
Meanwhile, exclusivity reigns supreme at Hapag-Lloyd Cruises. With a maximum of 400 to 500 passengers, the acclaimed cruise liners Europa and Europa 2 are top of the luxury segment.
The expedition ships are exclusive too, with these vessels ideally equipped for extraordinary locations where large ships have no access, be it the Amazon or the Arctic. These destinations are in such demand that Hapag-Lloyd Cruises has placed orders for two new expedition ships.
TUI Group is the world’s number one tourism business. The corporation's portfolio now consists of 14 cruise ships several large tour operators, 1,600 travel agencies and online portals, 5 airlines (with over 150 aircraft) and over 300 hotels (with around 214,000 beds).
In 2015-2016, TUI Group will carry 67,000 passengers with a recorded turnover of EUR 17.8 billion and an operating result of €1 billion. The TUI Group is listed on the London Stock Exchange and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.