Sebastian Ebel, the CEO of Tui, does not anticipate that the accident involving the cruise ship “Mein Schiff 3” in Bremerhaven will result in long-term negative consequences for the travel group’s cruise business. Speaking to the Funke Media Group newspapers (Saturday editions), Ebel stated that demand remains consistently high. He emphasized that he was relieved to learn that both the guests and the crew were safe. The CEO also noted that many of the guests affected by the cancellation of their journeys have already booked subsequent cruises. Regarding the ship’s return to service, Ebel indicated that the precise timeline during the shipyard stay will be clarified soon. Following repairs and receiving the official approval, the vessel will be put back into service as quickly as possible. In the meantime, Tui is increasingly focusing on thematic and event-based travel offerings to appeal to diverse target groups. Ebel explained that “people have specific interests and are looking for offers that match them.” He cited various examples, including tattoo cruises, Schlager (German pop) tours for followers of Andrea Berg, and sporting trips like the Hyrox cruise. According to Ebel, it is crucial that these target groups are large enough so that the offerings do not become too niche. He concluded that having a clear positioning and providing customers with exactly what they seek gives a competitive advantage.
Economy / Finance
