TUI Travel India announces exciting business expansion plans

tui~ Looks to significantly increase the business in the next five years

~ Establishes presence in Mumbai with launch of first flagship store in Bandra. This launch is part of the company’s larger business expansion plans

~ Official travel partner for the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon, building brand equity                                                                

Pic 2 Arjun Sharma_Vishal Sinha_Damon Hill and Jeannette Linfoot during the store launch Pic1_Vishal Sinha_Damon Hill_ Jeannette Linfoot and Arjun Sharma

Mumbai, January 17, 2014:  TUI Travel India, a part of TUI Travel PLC – one of the world’s leading leisure travel companies, announced the launch of its retail expansion plans in Mumbai today, with the establishment of its first retail store at Bandra. This launch heralds TUI India’s aggressive expansion plans which is aimed at growing the business in India over the next 5 years.

The company began operations in India in 2006, as a joint venture partner with Le Passage to India. TUI India has built a strong agent network in the country over the past few years and now is looking to expand its presence in the direct consumer segment.

In the coming years, TUI India is looking to replicate TUI Travel’s global business model to serve the differing needs of customers.

The Mumbai store is TUI India’s sixth retail store in the country, with five stores present in the Delhi/NCR region. With this launch TUI India is now looking to accelerate its B2C presence in the country and looking to expand further through retail and franchisee presence across key cities of India in the coming years. The focus of the company is now to grow its brand presence and increase market share. TUI India is looking to significantly increase its business in the next five years.

Situated on Linking Road in Bandra, the store will be a flagship concept store for TUI India. The store is an extension of TUI India’s concept store in Delhi. The flagship store is not just a retail selling outlet but a place designed to bring consumers closer to the brand. It will be a place for travelers to meet, exchange stories and chalk out travel plans with the help of TUI’s expert travel consultants. The café will also support/host events like interactive talks and workshops by travelers, photographers, writers etc. that will bring customers closer to travel.

On the occasion, Arjun Sharma, Managing Director, TUI India/ Le Passage to India said, “Outbound travel is a market that is rapidly growing in India and we want to fuel this growth further. TUI India is focused on expanding its presence in the country and therefore the Mumbai expansion is a part of our overall growth strategy.”

Vishal Sinha, COO, TUI India said, “The launch of this store is a part of our company’s on-going commitment to grow our presence in the country. This one-of-a-kind travel retail store captures our commitment to serve our customers in Mumbai who we see as an evolved market by being a one-stop holiday shop.”

Jeannette Linfoot, Director of Tour Operations – New Markets, TUI Travel PLC added, “India is a very exciting market for us and we see tremendous potential in terms of growth here. Our focus will remain on exclusive and differentiated products or experiences and our intention is to create a diverse product portfolio by bringing some unique and specialist brands from TUI’s global portfolio.”

Gracing the occasion of the launch of the Mumbai store was special guest, Damon Hill, the legendary ex-F1 racing champion and also the ambassador for this year’s Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon.

About us 

TUI India:

TUI India was officially formed in the year 2006 as a result of a joint partnership between Le Passage to India, the No.1 inbound destination management company and TUI Travel PLC, one of the world’s leading International Leisure Travel Group. TUI Travel India boasts of an impeccable reputation for quality services in Holidays, Incentive travel, Special Interest Tours and Conference Management. For more information visit www.tui.in

TUI Travel PLC:

TUI Travel PLC is one of the world’s leading international leisure travel groups operating in approximately 180 countries worldwide. It serves more than 30 million customers in over 31 source markets. Headquartered in the UK, the Group employs approximately 55,000 people and operates a pan-European airline group consisting of 138 aircraft.  The Company is organised and managed through three business Sectors: Mainstream, Specialist & Activity and Accommodation & Destinations. In the financial year ended 30 September 2013 TUI Travel had revenues of £15.1bn and an underlying operating profit of £589m.

TUI Travel is listed on the London Stock Exchange as a member of the FTSE 100 and FTSE4Good Indices.

For more information visit www.tuitravelplc.com

Le Passage to India:

Le Passage to India Travel Group is India’s award-winning No. 1 Destination Management Company consisting of several Specialist Business Units and brands to cater to the various aspects of travel.  The Le Passage to India Travel Group is a joint venture between Select Group India and TUI Travel PLC, one of the world´s leading leisure travel companies. With a pan-India network of 22 owned offices, 15 overseas marketing offices and a professional workforce of over 700 travel experts. For more information visit www.lepassagetoindia.com