TUI boss Peter Long has called on the Canary Islands for more support, claiming subsidises they provide to low-cost carriers are creating an unlevel playing field.
In a brief address at an event for tourism officials and partners, Long urged the islands' government to treat all carriers equally.
TUI's chief executive pointed out that TUI Travel accounts for more than one in five of all tourists to Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Lanzarote and its airlines fly 2.5 million tourists a year to the Canaries, to where they have been operating for more than 30 years.
In recent years, TUI has faced competition from new services launched by low-cost scheduled airlines including easyJet, Ryanair and Jet2.com, which Long suggested were receiving financial incentives from the Canaries government.
A TUI spokeswoman said Long was not asking for financial support for TUI or for the islands to withdraw financial support from the low-cost airlines, "but he does want it to be equal and a level playing field for all," she added.
While admitting that the Canary Islands - one of the UK's top selling winter sun destinations - were important to TUI, Long called on the islands' government and hoteliers to support the group, which plans to develop new 'differentiated' hotels in the Canaries.
Long finished his address by adding that TUI brought value to the islands in several areas including airports, hotels, transportation and excursions and said "developing a plan with the Government and partners on the Islands will benefit everyone".
TravelMole Daily UK Newswire
How about TUI creating a more level playing field for private Bars And Restaurants, instead of creating more and more All Inclusive Holidays. First Choice (part of TUI) are now exclusively AI.
First Choice are now advertising on TV, Special discounts in September and October, for Families, when the kids should be in school.
For me, they can take a running jump :'( :'(
Quote from: woe10 on July 08, 2013, 11:39:19 AM
First Choice (part of TUI) are now exclusively AI.
Errr... actually that's not true. First Choice offer mainly all-inclusive, but also have B&B and half-board holidays.
Ahh, Woe´s favourite pastime don´t know the truth so makes something up ::)
And they do still do self catering..offering you a welcome pack too
First Choice | Holiday extras | During your holiday | Welcome ...
... Self catering welcome packs. Ease into your holiday by having the
shopping delivered right to your door the day you arrive. ...
www.firstchoice.co.uk/information/holiday-extras/during-your-holiday/welcome-packs/ (http://www.firstchoice.co.uk/information/holiday-extras/during-your-holiday/welcome-packs/)
Quote from: woe10 on July 08, 2013, 11:39:19 AM
How about TUI creating a more level playing field for private Bars And Restaurants, instead of creating more and more All Inclusive Holidays. First Choice (part of TUI) are now exclusively AI.
First Choice are now advertising on TV, Special discounts in September and October, for Families, when the kids should be in school.
For me, they can take a running jump :'( :'(
Stupid post, the island would suffer greatly if ever TUI pulled out of the canaries. This is why Thomson flights and holidays can be more expensive. Cheaper flights or holidays , is beneficial to holidaymakers and even moreso to the islands tourist industry. Cheaper hols more tourists. Obvious to everyone, bar one.
Peter Long has a point and its been a long time in the making..I`m suprised this hasn`t been said before. No matter what `sort` of tourist you bring in, its unfair if your aircraft is paying higher landing charges than your competitor. Nothwithstanding that said competitor may also be feeding its pax into half board and AI places as well (most of them do now)
Have to see who blinks first
If a family wanted an AI holiday , i would sooner they spend that holiday here on Fuerteventura than going somewhere else. Even AI and HB tourists still spend money in the bars and restaurants, and of course excursions. First time family came here they were AI at the SanJorge, but they ate out at least half a dozen times , and spent many a late night night at Legends bar. They now always holiday self catering. Its not very often a family stay, eat and drink in their hotel ALL the time of their holiday,without venturing out, especially when there are bars restaurants and a nightlife on their doorstep. ;)