FTI: Strong bookings for Greece in the German market
FTI is expanding niche destinations such as Morocco and Oman, adding capacity for Egypt and broadening its luxury programme Gold for the forthcoming winter season.
The Munich-based tour operator has low revenue growth for this summer despite the turbulent bookings trends in recent months. Bookings are strong for Spain, Morocco, Bulgaria, Italy, Greece, the UAE and Oman, according to the company. Turkey bookings are down by 7% (with a 23% revenue decline), although the company remained confident that bookings would pick up soon, while demand for Egypt has recovered in recent weeks.
Managing director Ralph Schiller was relatively relaxed about the situation. “The only stable thing is that nothing is stable. We’ve got used to it, and customers have as well,” he commented. “Some destinations are more sensitive, but they are compensated by uncritical destinations.” Looking ahead, Schiller said: “We’re confident that we can maintain the current growth figure and close the 2015/16 business year with a single-digit increase.”
For the coming winter, Germany’s fourth-largest tour operator is keeping prices broadly stable, although the Turkish Riviera and Agadir will be up to 30% cheaper due to much lower hotel rates. The group’s hotel brand Labranda will increase its portfolio by at least five properties to 31 hotels, including two in Morocco, two in the Canary Islands and one in Egypt. Above all, the tour operator is maintaining its approach of building up niche destinations to compensate for those with weaker demand.
Niche destinations
For example, FTI sees plenty of potential for Morocco, which has been spared the kinds of terror attacks suffered by other North African destinations. The tour operator has tripled air capacity to 45,000 airline seats based on 12 weekly non-stop flights from Germany to Agadir, including seven full charters with Sun Express. The country has been combined with the nearby Canary Islands (and also the Cape Verde islands) in a joint brochure, and customers can book combined packages in the two destinations. “The Atlantic coasts of the destinations are only 90km apart, so a beach holiday on Gran Canaria can be superbly combined with a cultural trip in the kingdom (of Morocco),” said Schiller.
Another niche destination is Salalah, the beach destination in southern Oman, which is featured in two different brochures (Orient and Indian Ocean) with 11 hotels and will be served by twice-weekly non-stop Eurowings A330 flights from Cologne. Capacity has been increased for Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah, although there will be no charter flights to the latter emirate due to a lack of suitable aircraft, despite nearly 40,000 bookings this summer.
FTI has even expanded capacity for Egypt, with 29 full-charter flights a week from nine German cities with a total of 200,000 seats for the winter season. There are 17 weekly flights to Hurghada, eight to Marsa Alam and four to Luxor. The programme covers 156 hotels and the number of Nile cruise ships has been increased by three to 18.
Long-haul holidays should once again become a ‘major pillar’ for FTI, according to Mathias Huwiler, head of specialist and long-haul holidays. The long-haul programme has been expanded for next winter with the integration of the ‘Gold by FTI’ luxury programme, with 160 hotels, into the main country brochures. “We’ve expanded the premium segment in all product areas,” he said.
Read more here.
RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report
19/04 01:29
Athens State Orchestra presents 'St. Matthew's Passion' by Bach on April 30th
18/04 21:49
Greek Climate Change Minister signs memorandum for Attica fire protection zones
18/04 20:32
'Easter Basket' and 'Godparents basket' to be put into effect next week in Greece
18/04 20:17
18/04 17:40
17/04 21:06
Thessaloniki Port: Performance growth for 2023 with record container throughput
17/04 20:57
Traffic regulations imposed in Athens for the 41st Peace Marathon on Sunday
17/04 20:52
17/04 18:15
Greek Foreign Minister addresses the 9th Our Ocean Conference in Athens
17/04 17:12
16/04 21:02
NHM hosts the Trial of Pericles at the Harris Theater in Chicago on April 17
16/04 20:17
Greece will invest $830 million to protect marine biodiversity
16/04 01:46
New York Greek Independence Parade honors 1821 and solemn Cyprus Anniversary
16/04 01:35
Olympic Games Paris 2024: Olympic Flame to be lit at Ancient Olympia in Greece
16/04 00:29
European Committee of Regions and UN release study on Rural Tourism
15/04 20:41
15/04 19:58
Minister: Greece is transforming into a hub for exporting quality agri-food products
15/04 18:51
Greek Environment Minister meets Chinese Deputy Minister of Natural Resources
13/04 00:13
UN Tourism and Croatia to launch Research Centre for Sustainable Tourism
12/04 00:03
2024 marks a critical year in the enduring strength of Greek-German relations
12/04 00:00
11/04 22:07
Ambassador: US committed to upgrade of Greek military and support NATO's SE flank
11/04 19:40
Hellenic Pride on display at rainy Chicago Greek Independence Day Parade
11/04 02:06
Delphi Economic Forum IX: Energy collaboration a 'key' in Greek-Bulgarian relations
11/04 01:58
UN Tourism launches investment guidelines for Albania sector
10/04 19:01
Greek FinMin: New package of economic measures in 2025 to lower taxes, raise pensions
10/04 18:25
Greek city of Nafplion hosts Mediterranean Yacht Show for ninth year running
09/04 23:57
Greek PM on Tilos: Innovative projects for a cyclical economy are of key significance
09/04 23:55
UN Tourism members promote agenda for Europe as region leads global recovery
09/04 23:46
HFS presents 1968, Rousing Docudrama about Greece’s First European Cup April 21
09/04 22:48
Stolen 7th-century BC oenochoe returned to Greece by Hanover museum, municipality
09/04 22:42
Greek civil servants confederation ADEDY to strike on May 21
09/04 21:55
Greek Migration Minister meets Senior US Coordinator for Lawful Migration
08/04 23:48
08/04 23:41
Elliniko-Argyroupoli Mayor marches in Greek Independence Philadelphia Parade
08/04 21:53
Project Voria casino complex in Maroussi moving ahead after environmental report
08/04 21:36
Minister: Up to 120 delegations to take part in 9th Our Ocean Conference in Athens
08/04 19:22
Direct flight from Shanghai to Athens offers access to key tourism market for Greece
08/04 18:31
AI conference to attract distinguished speakers to Thessaloniki on April 25-27
04/04 23:28
City of San Jose marks March 25 with 16th Annual Greek Flag Raising Event
04/04 22:16
Urban plans published for seven townships in Thessaloniki and Attica of Greece
04/04 17:24
FinMin: The new EU economic and fiscal framework is good for Greece
04/04 15:30
Greek PM meets with the chiefs of the international pharmaceutical manufacturers
04/04 00:15
Deputy Minister for Macedonia-Thrace meets US Embassy Deputy Mission Chief
03/04 20:12
Syracuse AHEPA Chapter 37 marks March 25th Greek Independence Day
03/04 18:10
Greece's Delphi Economic Forum on April 10-13 to focus on 'The Great Transition'
03/04 16:42
Minister: Industrial production has returned to the pre-crisis levels in Greece
02/04 18:06
30/03 23:21
Eleni Gatzoyiannis scholarship offered to Greek students at Boston University
29/03 16:44
3rd edition of 'This is Athens - City Festival' with 250+ events from May 1 until June 2
29/03 15:53
Athens Metro station Aghia Varvara to stay closed on Saturday and Sunday
29/03 13:55
Greek Foreign Minister for Economic Diplomacy concludes visit to Montenegro
29/03 12:00
29/03 11:51
28/03 18:41
Attica Region to channel 640 bln euros to services of vulnerable and disadvantaged groups
28/03 17:32
Greece to auction three-month T-bills on April 3, 2024 in a book entry form
28/03 15:46
Greece's Meteora Pyli Geopark added to UNESCO Global Geoparks network
28/03 14:44
IPTO announces framework agreement tender for undersea power cables in Greece
28/03 11:49
IOBE: Construction sector in Greece records robust growth and good prospects
26/03 23:51
St. Thomas Hellenic School honors 1821 and the Feast of the Annunciation in NJ
26/03 21:59
PM at Economic Club of Canada: Greece is an attractive investment destination
26/03 17:56
Greek State budget primary balance reaches a surplus of 3,378 million euros
26/03 11:45
Ancient Messene to get upgraded visitors' facilities after approval by Council
23/03 17:43
New requirements for 'Golden Visa' program to kick in on March 31
23/03 16:49
Athenians continue to head out of the Greek Capital for March 25 long weekend
23/03 16:47
Greek Parliament lights to be turned off for Earth Hour 8:30-9:30 pm
22/03 21:54
US President on Greek Independence Day: Alliance with Greece stronger than ever
22/03 19:51
High diplomacy and geopolitics at Delphi Economic Forum IX in Greece
22/03 19:32
Tax authorities enable payments with foreign bank cards in Greece
22/03 14:19
22/03 00:24
Greece ranks first on list of countries with fastest business environment progress
22/03 00:02
Hellenic Police acquires first electric VAN-type highway patrol vehicle
21/03 22:41
21/03 15:33
Unseen Museum presents "The stele of the twin babies" exhibition in Athens
20/03 22:48
Health Minister: 95% of Greek hospitals to perform afternoon surgeries
20/03 21:52
Greek Deputy Minister of Justice meets delegation from US Embassy in Athens
20/03 21:44
Greek Interior Minister to visit United States and Canada on postal vote
20/03 20:55
Philadelphia Icarians mark 85th Anniversary and organize Apokriatiko Dance
20/03 18:01
Development Minister: We continue the battle against high prices in Greece
19/03 22:28
President of the Hellenic Republic meets her Ethiopian counterpart in Athens
19/03 20:57
19/03 20:25
FinMIn: Moody’s analysis records significant progress in the Greek economy
19/03 11:15
Sector chiefs report: Good news for Greek tourism in 2024 at ITB Berlin
18/03 22:20
American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association honors Past Supreme President
16/03 13:01
Greek Deputy Foreign Μinister meets her Slovenian counterpart in Athens
16/03 12:56
Greek-Canadian Diaspora to welcome Greek Prime Minister to Toronto
16/03 11:28
Greek Migration Minister visits refugee hosting facilities in Kavala, Drama and Serres
15/03 21:50
Greek Minister announces conference on defence ecosystem in Athens from Lithuania
15/03 13:45
PM: More than 80 hospitals and 156 health centres being upgraded in Greece
15/03 12:55
Piraeus Port and Genoa Chambers of Commerce ink memorandum of cooperation
14/03 23:43
President of Hellenic Republic meets Prime Minister of Slovakia in Bratislava
14/03 22:58
American Express report highlights Global Travel Trends during 2024
14/03 22:52
Four hospitals in Attica Region already organizing afternoon surgical procedures
14/03 22:49
US Ambassador to Athens: More flights from the United States to Greece and Thessaloniki
14/03 22:43
Greek archaeologists discover ten ancient shipwrecks off Aegean island of Kasos
14/03 19:32
No new intubations for Covid-19 recorded in Greece for the first time
14/03 18:36
Extra road safety measures adopted for Greek pre-lent carnival and Clean Monday
14/03 14:48
14/03 12:54
Electric buses to be deployed on the streets of Athens and Thessaloniki by May
13/03 22:23
Traffic regulations imposed in Athens for the 41st Peace Marathon on Sunday
Greek Foreign Minister addresses the 9th Our Ocean Conference in Athens
Greek Climate Change Minister signs memorandum for Attica fire protection zones
Athens State Orchestra presents 'St. Matthew's Passion' by Bach on April 30th
'Easter Basket' and 'Godparents basket' to be put into effect next week in Greece
Thessaloniki Port: Performance growth for 2023 with record container throughput
The Economist magazine names recovering Greece Best 2022 Performer
IPTO report: Rapid implementation of Crete-Attica electricity interconnection
Greek Environment Minister meets Chinese Deputy Minister of Natural Resources
TUI chief forecast: Tourism sector in Greece to break all records during 2024
Amendment tabled introducing postal vote for Diaspora Greeks in national elections
Trapped rack-railway passengers returned safely to Diakopto in Peloponnese
Olympic Games Paris 2024: Olympic Flame to be lit at Ancient Olympia in Greece
Greek Minister of Culture: Revenues from visitors to the Athens Acropolis rise in 2023
Greek supermarkets record rise in value and decline in volume of FMCG sales
Saint Thomas Hellenic School organizes Parent Teacher Organization Fundraiser
Greek tax service AADE launches updated website new section on expatriates
Temporary residence for displaced Ukrainians extended in Greece to March 2025
Flights to and from Heraklion airport in Crete resume on Saturday
Minister: Transactions with the Greek State will be further simplified in 2024