Article Abstract:
ITS Billa Reisen, the Austrian travel agency subsidiary of the German trade giant Rewe, reached break even in the first year of operation, selling 34,000 holidays for Sch 200mn. In 2000 the company expects to sell 65,000 holidays for about Sch 500mn. Exploiting synergies with the Ja! Naturlich organic product line sold in Billa supermarkets, ITS Billa Reisen is to offer holidays on organic 19 farms in the Hohe Tauern national park that supply the supermarkets. Advertising for the farm holidays will be printed on the packaging of organic milk and cheese. ITS Billa Reisen expects the farm holidays to contribute 5-10% to the company's turnover from non-flight holidays. Holidays involving air travel account for 75% of the turnover of ITS Billa Reisen. ITS Billa Reisen catalogues are distributed at all of the group's 900 supermarkets, a company-owned travel agency in Vienna, two call centres in Vienna and Salzburg, and Osterreichische Verkehrsburo. A second call centre is to be set up in Salzburg. Meanwhile, another travel subsidiary of Rewe, Airconti, which sells only holidays with air travel and concentrates on a higher market segment than ITS Billa Reisen, is not planning cooperation with the latter. Instead, its holidays are marketed by 550 travel agencies in Austria.
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Article Abstract:
The German tourism giant TUI has signed an agreement take over 75% of the stock of Gulet Touropa Touristik (GTT), Austria's biggest travel group. The sellers are Mr Cem Kinay and Mr Oguz Serim, who hold 50%, and Austrian Airlines, which reduces its shareholding from 50% to 25%. TUI is planning to expand the distribution network in Austria, which currently comprises 43 travel agents. The German group would be interested in taking over the travel agent chain Ruefa, which is controlled by Bawag bank. GTT is expected to sell about 600,000 holidays in year 2000. It holds 45% of the Austrian travel organiser market and is followed by Neckermann at 20% and TUI at 12%. Altogether there are 620 travel organisers in Austria.
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Article Abstract:
Following the disaster of 11 September 2001, Austrian travel agents only saw a decrease of 20% in bookings, compared to 30% to 40% in Germany. Between September 2001 and September 2001 the situation has become normal again. The years turnover for Austrian travel agents is still likely to see a 5% increase in 2001, despite some travel agents having introduced short-time working immediately after the disaster.
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