Tui using third-party flights to help extend season, confirms UK chief

Tui UK and Ireland managing director Neil Swanson has said the company’s increasing use of third-party flights is a key tactic in encouraging shoulder season travel.

Swanson told a sustainable tourism event at the Spanish embassy in London that shoulder seasons are “really important”, adding that Tui is actively trying to spread visitors beyond the peak summer period.

“We’re diversifying as a business and using more third-party flights,” he said.

Outlining how shoulder season travel is being encouraged, he cited the promotion of fitness tourism and highlighted the appeal of “concept products” including Tui Blue hotels.

“To broaden the seasons, you need the resorts to be open and that’s where the dialogue comes in and, in terms of the hotels, you need the properties to be able to expand their concept areas,” he said.

He added that Tui was trying to offer a more “authentic experience” for clients, noting that some wanted to avoid a “Brits abroad” atmosphere.

The company is increasingly trying to make sure it is making positive contributions to the local community, he said.

“Our customers want a great experience on holiday in Spain but they also want to know it’s having a positive impact on the local people,” he said, adding that Tui has “lots of dialogue with destinations”.

High-spending travellers are priority clients for the company, he added.

He said clients had not voiced worries about overtourism protests in Spain, but solutions had to be found to the key issues.

“Protests have not been raised as a concern so far but that’s not to say they won’t be and that’s why it’s important to have this discussion,” he said, adding: “The solutions need to work for both parties.”

On tourist taxes, he said transparency was a vital element if they were to be successful.

“The important thing is [people] are seeing the benefit of the money that is being paid. If you can communicate that effectively, then it should work,” he said.