TUI plans biggest tourism project in company history Eleven square kilometres of land in Tuscany purchased with village centre for tourism project development
The village of Montaione is located in the heart of picturesque Tuscany close to the historical cities of Florence, Siena and Pisa.
The largest hotel project in TUI's history is to be built on 11 km2 of "Tenuta di Castelfalfi" land.
An existing golf course set in exquisite scenery will be extended.
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Hanover, May 16, 2007
By purchasing a plot of land of eleven square kilometres on which there are several old buildings, a medieval castle, a hotel, an 18-hole golf course as well as agricultural areas, TUI has furthered its plans to put into effect the biggest tourism project in Tuscany as well as the biggest in the company’s history. “This project is a good example of our growth strategy in the hotel sector,“ said TUI AG chief executive Dr Michael Frenzel at the annual general meeting Hanover. This project is modelled on the Land Fleesensee, which has proved to be most successful since it was set up seven years ago. TUI, together with five partners, including two of its own hotel brands, opened the biggest holiday resort in northern Europe there in 2000.
The “Tenuta di Castelfalfi“ area is located at the heart of Tuscany between the tradition rich cities of Florence, Siena and Pisa in the community of Montaione. The primary goal of the future development of Castelfalfi is not only to expand the tourism offering but also to preserve and restore the existing area under cultivation in Tuscany. This includes also the preservation of the agriculture based on viticulture and olive farming.
“Tenuta di Castelfalfi S.p.A.“, a company in which TUI has a share-holding of 85 percent and the previous Italian owner 15 percent, has been established for this unique project in TUI’s history. The volume of investment amounts to several hundred million euros, and is included in the medium-term investment planning of TUI Hotels & Resorts. The overall project will be known in future by the name “Toscana Resort Castelfalfi“.
The existing village with a church and castle will be renovated and extended by new elements suitable for tourism. For instance a spa area, various restaurants and boutiques. In addition, subject to approval by the local authorities, three hotel arrangements – a ROBINSON club, a Dorfhotel and an Iberotel – as well as villas and apartments with an appropriate infrastructure are to be built on the land. The existing golf course is to be expanded und improved.
Top priority are sustainability and environmental compatibility, both key aspects under which the project is being developed. It is intended for the complex to be generally independent and self-supporting by using renewable energy for covering its demand for electricity. As far as water is concerned it is planned for instance to have biological water treatment and introduce means for using water more than once. Absolutely unique is that a proportion of the food supply for guests is to be covered by products from its own farms.
As the project progresses at least 300 new jobs will be created. And as the employees should preferably come from the region, the project will have a positive effect on the development of the local job market.
The feasibility study needed for this project was prepared in close cooperation with the representatives of the local community as well as their planners and handed over to the community for completion and approval.
Tuscany is extremely attractive for international guests as a holiday area and has potential for expansion beyond the traditional culinary and cultural offering. The interest in the sector of golfing holidays and short trips has risen rapidly in Italy, not least as a result of the good flight connections, for instance with TUIfly, the German market leader for flights to Italy. Current trends such as wellness and golf are at present scarcely being catered for in the region. Modern hotel projects aiming at specific target groups are as good as non-existent. The goal is to use internationally proven tourism concepts to gain a slice of the tourism volume in Italy beyond that of city breaks and cultural trips.
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Contact:
Anja Braun, phone +49(0)511 566-2504
Robin Zimmermann, phone +49(0)511 566-1488