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      TUI Group appoints Ebel to chief financial officer role

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      TUI is rearranging its group management, with Sebastian Ebel taking over as chief financial officer of the company.
      An experienced manager of many years’ standing with the company, he will move to the top of the finance division from January 1st.
      The supervisory board, headed by Dieter Zetsche, agreed on the changes at the annual general meeting on Tuesday
      Ebel is currently responsible for the executive board division Holiday Experiences with hotels, cruises and activities in the destinations.
      He joined the group back in 1991 during the Preussag era.

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      Birgit Conix, who is currently responsible for finance, had already decided in the summer not to extend her contract term and to leave the group at the end of the year.
      The Belgian had joined TUI in 2018 and during her time has driven forward the restructuring of the finance department, focusing in particular on strengthening the balance sheet structure before the Covid-19 crisis.
      TUI chief executive, Fritz Joussen, said: “I would like to thank Birgit Conix for her commitment in difficult times.
      “She has achieved a lot for TUI and has put financing and liquidity on a secure foundation during the crisis.
      “Sebastian Ebel is a very experienced financial manager who has also successfully managed large operating companies.
      “We have mastered many common challenges together.
      “I look forward to having him at my side as chief financial officer in the future.”
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      Maldives launches UK publicity push

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      The Maldives Marketing & Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) has launched an outdoor campaign in major parts of the UK to promote the destination as a safe haven for travellers in the new travel environment.
      The move follows the reopening of the Maldives’ borders on July 15th, and gradual return to market of properties across the country.
      During this two-month long campaign, the Maldives will be promoted in the most prominent areas of London, including Kensington roadside, Waterloo station, Westfield London shopping centre, Liverpool Street Station, Blackfriars Station, Cannon Street Station, City Thameslink Station and Fenchurch Street Station.
      Among these locations, Waterloo station screen is the largest indoor digital screen in Europe and is a major railway and underground station in London, as well as the busiest bus station in the UK.
      The key objective of this campaign is to reassure tourists in the UK that the Maldives remains a safe and secure destination to travel to post Covid-19, due to its unique geographical formation and one-island-one-resort concept.

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      Furthermore, the campaign aims to showcase the Maldives as an ideal choice for long-haul travel and will guarantee brand exposure to a large number of UK consumers, inspiring them to choose the Maldives as their next holiday destination.
      The photos and publications showcased in the campaign will present the Maldives as a country with geographically isolated islands which will provide a safe environment for potential future holidaymakers.
      Moreover, a list of exciting activities tourists can experience on their holiday in the Maldives will also be highlighted throughout the campaign.
      With the UK being one of the leading markets in terms of arrivals to the Maldives post border reopening, MMPRC continues in its efforts in popularising the destination within the market.
      In this regard, several marketing and promotional activities have been planned for the remaining months of the year including campaigns with several online and digital travel trade media and leading OTAs.
      Prior to the lockdown in March, a total of 7,288 visitors from the UK arrived in the Maldives this year whereas there has been an arrival of 1,587 tourists from the UK since the border reopened on July 15th.
      More Information
      The Maldives is considered the World’s Leading Beach Destination by voters at the World Travel Awards.
      Find out more on the official website.
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      UNWTO partners with IATA ahead of upcoming G20 summit

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      Ahead of the G20 summit in Saudi Arabia, which includes a dedicated tourism segment, the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) has signed a memorandum of understanding with the International Air Transport Association (IATA), as the two parties work together to restart global tourism.
      Highlighting unique status of the UNWTO as a bridge between the UN system and the private sector, the new agreement will focus on enhancing consumer confidence in travel and placing sustainability at the centre of recovery and future growth.
      From the start of the current crisis, the body has sought to lead the way in addressing the key factor needed for the successful restart of tourism.
      This agreement with the global trade association for the airline sector builds on this and deepens the existing collaboration between both organisations to keep geared towards restoring the confidence of travellers.
      UNWTO secretary general, Zurab Pololikashvili, said: “Air travel is an essential component of global tourism.

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      “This partnership between UNWTO and IATA will see us work closely together to increase confidence in flying and tourism in general.
      “UNWTO will use our expertise in innovation and our status as a connector of public and private sector leaders to help get aviation moving again.”
      “This partnership between UNWTO and IATA will see us work closely together to increase confidence in flying and tourism in general.”
      As well as focusing on building and maintaining confidence in international travel, the new agreement will also see UNWTO and IATA work closely together to foster innovation and promote greater public-private collaboration.
      As tourism restarts, this memorandum will help ensure recovery is sustainable and inclusive.
      IATA director general, Alexandre de Juniac, said: “The safe opening of international borders to tourism is essential.
      “Tourists want to feel safe, and they want to be confident that their travel plans won’t be affected by last-minute changes to rules and regulations.
      “For this to happen, even greater collaboration between the public and private sectors is needed.
      “This enhanced partnership with the World Tourism Organisation will help guide aviation’s recovery over the critical months ahead.”
      IATA has been an affiliate member of UNWTO since 1978, providing a strong voice for the international air transport sector.
      This latest partnership comes as UNWTO continues to lead the global tourism sector in its response to the challenges posed by the pandemic.
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      ATOL renewal figures fall sharply in September

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      The UK Civil Aviation Authority has revealed that of the 1,261 ATOL licences that expired at the end of September, 995 have been renewed.
      There are a further 90 still in the process in renewal.
      This means that, in total, 176 companies decided not to renew their protection.
      If a business decides not to renew their licence, this can be for a variety of reasons including making changes to their business model, which means they no longer need an ATOL licence to continue trading.
      However, a number of companies are likely to have entered administration during the Covid-19 slowdown.

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      Michael Budge, head of ATOL licensing at the UK Civil Aviation Authority, said “We understand the huge pressure that travel businesses are under at this time and would like to thank them for positively engaging with us to meet the required conditions for their ATOL renewal.
      “In the interest of protecting consumers, we continuously engage with and closely monitor ATOL holders throughout the period covered by their licence, requesting further information where necessary.”
      Travel businesses that were not due to renew their ATOL licence during this renewals period should apply in good time before the March 31st expiry date.
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      Revamped Thomas Cook signs Hotelbeds deal

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      Hotelbeds has signed a strategic partnership with Thomas Cook.
      The new online-only holiday business was launched recently following the acquisition of the brand by Fosun Tourism Group.
      Thanks to this collaboration, Thomas Cook will gain access to more than 180,000 unique hotel properties in 140 countries worldwide.
      León Herce, global sales director at Hotelbeds, said: “All of us at Hotelbeds are immensely pleased to see Thomas Cook relaunching and we are delighted to be able to support their new model.
      “Hotelbeds has the experience, technology and hotelier relationships available to help Thomas Cook attract travellers with the best possible service and hotel product.

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      “We look forward to watching it grow once again into one of Europe’s leading holiday brands.”
      Thomas Cook joins Hotelbeds’ existing 60,000 travel trade buyers – such as tour operators, travel agents, airlines and points redemption schemes.
      Emma King, head of commercial product, Thomas Cook, added: “When we were developing our new Thomas Cook we wanted to offer our customers the widest possible choice of hotel accommodation – and to be able to do that quickly without the need for direct contracting.
      “Our relationship with Hotelbeds as a strategic bedbank partner, gives our customers access to a huge portfolio of exclusive and competitively priced hotels worldwide.”
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      Flynn takes on global leadership role with Finn Partners

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      Finn Partners has named Debbie Flynn, formerly managing partner of Finn Travel Europe, as global travel practice leader.
      Flynn joined the firm from the Brighter Group, which she founded, led, and expanded into one of the most successful and respected travel PR boutiques in the UK before its acquisition by Finn in 2018.
      “Debbie is Finn’s first global practice leader based outside of the US, underscoring our international reach and commitment to travel across three continents,” said Peter Finn, founding partner, Finn.

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      “Debbie’s leadership, highly regarded position as a travel counsellor and advisor, and extensive international network, will be instrumental in helping travel and tourism brands build a successful and sustainable roadmap as we move out of Covid-19.”
      Building on her successful track record of increasing Finn Travel UK by 70 per cent in the last two years (pre-Covid-19), Flynn will spearhead new mar-comm and business development initiatives across the existing travel groups in the US, Asia and Europe.
      Flynn takes on the global role after a period serving as interim global travel lead beginning in late 2019, when she assumed this position from Gail Moaney, founding managing partner, who stepped down for health reasons in late 2019.
      Moaney built the Finn Travel practice since its inception almost ten years ago and was instrumental in countless client wins and strategic new hires over the past decade.
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      TUI secures further €1.2bn in government support

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      TUI Group has taken steps toward securing a further €1.2 billion bailout from the Germany government.
      With bondholders having waived certain rights at the start of the month September, the German Economic Stabilisation Fund (WSF) has now subscribed to a warrant bond with a volume of €150 million.
      Both conditions had to be fulfilled by September 30th to unlock further federal support.
      With the proceeds from the bond with warrants and the increase in the KfW credit line of €1.05 billion, TUI Group will have a further €1.2 billion at its disposal.
      Including this second stabilisation package, TUI will have financial resources of around €2 billion the company said it a statement.

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      Fritz Joussen, chief executive of the TUI Group, explained: “We continue to operate in a very volatile market environment.
      “Travel advice and travel disruptions in our markets and destinations are constantly changing.
      “There are still significant restrictions on worldwide travel through Covid-19 and on our business.
      “This makes planning more difficult and requires enormous flexibility from tour operators.”
      He added: “The increased stabilisation package with government loans will above all secure liquidity during the pandemic.
      “We have to bridge this period without any significant turnover and at the same time accelerate the restructuring for the post-Covid-19 period.
      TUI had previously warned that with the choice of destinations largely dependent on government policy on the coronavirus, the trading backdrop was likely to remain volatile “for the next few quarters”.
      The company said it was cutting 8,000 jobs as part of a €300 million cost-saving programme.
      In March, TUI received a commitment for an initial stabilisation package from the German federal government valued at €1.8 billion.
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      AHIC 2020: Ras al Khaimah outlines renewed investment strategy

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      Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority has announced a long-term investment strategy designed to boost the growth and diversification of Jebel Jais – the highest mountain in the United Arab Emirates.
      The announcement of continued investment underscores the resilience of the emirate and a desire to gather recovery momentum despite the challenges imposed this year by the Covid-19 pandemic. 
      The news was unveiled at AHIC on the Road, taking place this week in Dubai.
      This year, AHIC will bring together key industry leaders and stakeholders in a new format featuring a combination of physical and virtual sessions, which will be attended byRaki Philips, chief executive of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, and Alison Grinnell, chief executive of RAK Hospitality Holding.
      According to the World Economic Forum Covid Action Platform, travel preferences and patterns have changed, leading to renewed interest in less crowded destinations.
      Within this context, a key trend that has emerged is nature tourism, since it offers travellers a combination of social distancing, discovery and connection with nature, all of which aligns seamlessly with the Jebel Jais experience.
      From a broader destination perspective, Ras Al Khaimah’s diversity in landscape and offering makes it an ideal for visitors looking for comfort and security in expansive settings and where social distancing is easier to practice in serene surroundings on the mountains, on the coast or in the desert.
      Various government sectors of Ras Al Khaimah, including RAK Chamber of Commerce and Industry have worked together to identify a long-term investment strategy that will create ongoing funding for the development of nature-based tourism attractions on Jebel Jais.

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      All projects and builds will be developed in the most sustainable way possible in order not to disrupt the mountain eco-system but rather to enhance knowledge and understanding of conservation.
      The new phased investment strategy will focus primarily on developing Jebel Jais as a standalone destination by further diversifying its offering through several new nature-based projects including a pop-up hotel concept, scheduled to open in the second half of 2021, which will introduce unique cliff side accommodation with unrivalled picturesque mountain views.
      In addition, a mountain lodge, located adjacent to the renowned hiking trails will provide luxury accommodation when it opens in 2022. 
      Tourists will also get to experience the mountain from a completely different perspective by winding through gorgeous scenery with the Jais Coaster, a summer toboggan/bobsled concept inspired by the Alps, which will open in quarter two of 2021.
      Adding yet another first to its diverse offering, Jebel Jais will also be the home Sky High Meetings, the first-of-its-kind highest meeting room in the UAE ideal for business meetings and gatherings against the backdrop of the Hajar mountains, slated to open later this year.
      Raki Phillips, chief executive of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, said: “Seeing the tourism and hospitality sectors unite during this period and pivoting in response to challenges imposed by the pandemic has been truly inspiring.
      “We are honoured to be part of this year’s Arabian Hotel Investment Conference (AHIC) and look forward to sharing Ras Al Khaimah’s experience in navigating through these times with a focus on building a stronger destination, as a result.
      “Our road to recovery is still in its early phases, but we have already seen significant uplift in the tourism and hospitality sectors’ performance leading to Ras Al Khaimah having the strongest RevPAR performance in the GCC.”
      The emirate is also assigning considerable funds to enhance the infrastructure on Jebel Jais and facilitate easier access for visitors and improve their overall experience on the mountain.
      Some of the key areas of focus range from public camping spots, night hiking trails to a base jump platform, e-bikes and an electric car charging station.
      More Information
      Find out more about AHIC on the Road on the official website, or follow all of the Breaking Travel News coverage of the show here.
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