TUI News: ? Sustainability Director change, ?? E-Bikes on Rhodes, ?? Marella Voyager

Dear LinkedIn Community,

? Management update, ?? e-bikes, ?? new cruise – all these topics await you in today's newsletter. ???? And as always, there's a recommendation for you at the end: this time it's about the best destinations in June. ???

Enjoy reading!

?? Shoutout to colleagues: Let's meet Grace ???????

In our final "Meet the Cast" video we are introducing Grace Meijer , one of our 737 Pilots at TUI fly Germany.

Grace has given us some insight into what a typical day in her role may look like. From land to air, her role involves a variety of exciting duties... Not to mention that incredible office view from the cockpit. ?? If you haven't seen our other Meet the Cast videos yet, we highly recommend you to watch it! Catch up here.

Thank you Grace for the insightful look into your role. ??

TUI Group's new Director Sustainability & ESG ?

Kathrin M?llers?will become Group Director Sustainability & ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) of?TUI?Group. As announced before, she will take over the leadership of the international team from? Charlotte W. ?on 1 July 2023. In her new role, Kathrin reports to?Thomas Ellerbeck, Member of the Group Executive Committee and Chief Sustainability Officer of TUI Group.

In recent years, Kathrin has worked intensively on the topics of?#change,?#digitalisation?and?#sustainability?at?TUI?and successfully managed and implemented strategic transformation processes during her time in the Group's airline division. With her vast operational experience and extensive technical expertise, she will drive the practical implementation of the TUI Sustainability Agenda, which was presented at the beginning of 2023, and develop it further in all of the Group's business areas.

A warm welcome and lots of success, dear Kathrin! ???? tuigroup.com

E-Bikes on Rhodes ??

Update from Co-Lab Rhodes: 30 e-bikes and 30 cargo bikes have arrived for the 250 tour guides on the island ????????

For?TUI, both the major strategic initiatives as well as smaller projects that can be implemented immediately, are role models for other destinations and thus can have a major impact.?From now on, for example, the?TUI?service team on Rhodes travels from hotel to hotel with new bikes.

The?TUI?bikes will help reduce emissions and provide the team with more environmentally friendly transport options. The number of cars available will be reduced from more than 100 to 60. By 2024, this number will be further reduced.

The e-bikes pilot project brings the island one step closer to its goal of being climate neutral by 2030.

Background information:?#Rhodes?is an important destination for TUI to develop new sustainability initiatives. In the Co-Lab, TUI, the governments of the South Aegean and Greece develop models for more sustainable holiday destinations. Experiences and initiatives from the Co-Lab Rhodes are to be transferred to other holiday destinations and thus advance the industry in its sustainable transformation. tuigroup.com

Marella Voyager launch in Málaga ??

???? Say hello to the latest member of the Marella Cruises family –?#MarellaVoyager. She is the 5th and largest ship in the fleet. Setting sail in summer 2023 from her home port in Majorca, this ship’s all about exploration and adventure. ?

The special thing: Our colleagues Tatyana Olkhovska and?Jacqui Nobile?had the honorary position to christen the ship. Both Godmothers have long legacies within TUI, with more than 40 years combined experience in the cruise industry in various roles across the globe.

After the name giving ceremony incl. a special appearance by Becky Hill, and speeches of TUI Group CEO?Sebastian Ebel?and?Chris Hackney, Managing Director of Marella Cruises, the beauty went on the so-called "Shake Down Cruise" with more than 1,100 colleagues – kind of a rehearsal before the Marella Voyager then sets sail with guests from Palma on June 3. ??

?? Recommendation: Where to go on holiday in June ??

Thinking about a trip in June and don't know where to go? ?? Here are the perfect destinations for a June getaway, offering delightful weather and abundant sunshine. ??? Whether you prefer the rugged coastline of Central ????Vietnam, the breathtaking beaches of the Makarska Riviera in ????Croatia or the rich cultural heritage of ????Morocco, there is something for every traveler’s taste.

So pack your sunscreen, put on your shades, and prepare for an unforgettable holiday in one of these stunning destinations. ? It’s time to relax and soak up the sun in some of the most remarkable locations around the world! ????

Priceline to rely on Google AI in future

The US online travel agency Priceline will in future rely on generative artificial intelligence from the Google Cloud throughout the company, both in the office and in customer service. Customers will have access to a chatbot that answers questions about travel planning. In addition, they can book a trip directly in the chat, according to Priceline. It will be available 24/7 on desktop and mobile devices.?

Colombia is becoming a trend destination

Colombia is regaining importance for tourism, relying heavily on assets such as ecological and cultural diversity. Between 2013 and 2018, the number of international visitors increased by 87 per cent, the highest tourism growth rate on the entire continent. The development is so rapid that bilingual travel guides are hard to find. The boom continues even after the pandemic. In 2022, Colombia recorded 4.6 m international visitors, two per cent more than in 2019. This year, the country aims to attract five m visitors.

Airline does not have to refund money from state-organised return flight

Travellers who were brought home on a state-organised flight at the beginning of the Corona pandemic cannot claim the money for this from the airline that should have brought them back. The European Court of Justice (ECJ) in Luxembourg came to this conclusion. Only commercial flights were covered by an EU law on air passenger rights. This stipulates in which cases passengers are entitled to compensation.