TUI<.> Espana is the name under which Preussag<.>, the world`s leading tourism group, is reorganising all destination activities and its local tour operating and sales activities in Spain, the most important European destination. In this move, formerly independent incoming agencies within the group, such as Ultramar Express, Thomson Turismo y Viajes, Viajes Polar and Nouvelles Frontieres, are now grouped together under the brand TUI Espana Destination Services. The goal is to provide, under a single brand presence, standardised and efficient local incoming services to the around 6 million holidaymakers who travel to the Spanish islands and mainland every year with one of the World of TUI tour brands. We can achieve more efficient control of our destination activities, such as transfers and special tours, for all source countries while taking market-specific aspects into account, said Shaun Powell, managing director of TUI Espana.

The reorganisation also involves the tour operator and sales activities in Spain of Ultramar, Ambassador, Expomundo and Nouvelles Frontieres, which to date have operated independently. From now on, the around 90 travel agents on Majorca and the Spanish mainland will operate under the name TUI Centros y Viajes. These agents are the primary distribution partners for the new tour catalogue TUI Costas y Islas introduced into the market in early April by TUI Espana. We intend to boost our activities in the Spanish tour operator sector. Our worldwide hotel partners and in particular our group`s hotel participations, mean we can now also offer a comprehensive quality product in Spain as well. We are opening up new potential in the Spanish source market, said Mr Powell in describing the new strategy.

As a result, an integrated tourism group now also provides unified incoming and outgoing services in Spain. TUI Espana will have 1,400 employees, a fleet of about 130 buses and 4,500 rental cars. Current turnover is more than Euro 200 million per annum.