Tui Group’s new product chief has attributed recent sales successes to its wide range of holidays, including exclusive partnerships with hoteliers, and flights with its own airline and other carriers.
Phill Iveson, director of product and purchasing, hailed the group’s diverse offering, differentiated and exclusive products, and flexible airline options as important factors amid peaks, with sales starting to “gather momentum” last week.
He told a Travel Weekly webcast: “Greece and Cyprus are really strong. Egypt is performing really well for us.
“[In] long-haul, Florida and Jamaica are performing strongly. And, outside of our own airline, through our dynamic packaging, Thailand is really strong for this year.”
Last month, Tui described the start to this peak season as “promising in a higher cost environment”, with bookings up 7% and average selling prices 3% higher.
“Prices have increased, and it’s something that we really try to minimise,” he told the webcast.
“Obviously, we’re aware of the cost-of-living, etc, and we’ve put a lot of initiatives out there to enable customers to find those cheapest holidays.
“We have the free child finder, which gives customers and agents the ability to easily find free child places.
“We also have our own airline and other airlines on sale as well, which really enables customers to get the holiday that is best for them at the right price.”
He added: “We sell a huge number of packages that are packaged dynamically. If you look at just our dynamic business, if it was a standalone business, it would be one of the biggest Atol holders in the UK.”
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He highlighted a “resurgence” in Thailand, thanks to flights from Manchester and Gatwick, giving customers more flexibility on durations and departures.
Feedback from independent agents has also helped persuade Tui to add flights from other airports to boost the long-haul market, he explained.
“We have that range and flexibility for customers, and that is really backed up by Tui service and Tui product,” he continued.
Furthermore, he noted how the Canaries has been “a very competitive market” over winter.
“We have heard of bed shortages. Given that we have a lot of exclusive partnerships, we have been okay and had that inventory available,” he added.
Iveson also emphasised the important role of agencies, both inhouse and independent, in the group’s distribution strategy.
Asked if the Tui retail estate might increase, he said: “We will always review where there are opportunities and where those opportunities make sense. We would definitely look at them.
“We have added some stores and that will be important for us.
“The retail part is incredibly important; I spent some time with our retail agents and you really see the service to customers and why customers want that service.
“For a lot of customers having that reassurance, the agent who can find them this holiday, who knows those tricks that a customer doesn’t really see – ‘have you tried going for six nights, or to go from Edinburgh?’ – those things that can get the customer the best holiday.
“We want [customers] to be able to book, whether that’s through an independent agent, because of independent advice or they know them, or whether it’s through our own retail, or through the app or through the website.”
Asked about the lack of price parity, he added: “Across our distribution channels, there are some different pricing, that is across the industry.
“What we do make sure is that our turn-of-year discounts are all available through independent agents and our inhouse agents.
“We want to offer a level playing field in terms of product range and discounts.
“Customers get a fantastic service through retail and independents.”