The China National Tourism Authority (CNTA) has granted a so-called ‘outbound’ licence to TUI China Travel Co. Ltd. The licence clears the way for TUI to organise international travel for Chinese holidaymakers. TUI China is only one of three foreign companies and the only European tour operator to have been granted such a licence.
“Recognising the market’s growth potential, we have invested in China and positioned the TUI brand early on. Our strategy has clearly been validated by the granting of the ‘outbound’ licence”, said TUI AG CEO Michael Frenzel. Prior to receiving the new licence, TUI China has focused on the inbound Chinese travel market. With the new license for international travel, TUI China will be able to further exploit the potential of the fast-growing Chinese tourism market.
TUI China was founded in 2003 as a joint-venture between TUI AG and China Travel Service. It is the only joint venture in the Chinese travel market in which a foreign company is the majority owner (TUI AG owns 75% of shares in the joint company).