Eurolines and TUI agencies in Romania expect higher turnover this year

Eurolines Group Romania expects a turnover of RON 331 million (some EUR 75 million) this year, up 30 percent from the RON 254 million (EUR 57 million) recorded in 2012, according to the company. Touring Europabus Romania, the company that owns the TUI TravelCenter and Eurolines travel agencies in Romania, also estimates a higher turnover for 2013, of RON 230 million (EUR 52 million). The sales of travel packages distributed through TUI TravelCenter and Eurolines networks went up 62 percent year-on-year in 2013. Moreover, the two networks also sold with 19 percent more plane tickets in 2013, reaching RON 87.6 million (around EUR 19.8 million), according to Eurolines. The TUI TravelCenter and Eurolines network expanded with 16 agencies this year, reaching a total of 78 sales points. Nova Travel, the group’s tour operator, also recorded a higher turnover in 2013. The company expanded this year the number of TUI charter flights to Turkey and Antalya, while in 2014 will operate new flights to Spain and Greece. Danubius Travel, the tour operator specialized on incoming (foreign tourists traveling to Romania), recorded a 45 percent increase in turnover in 2013, compared to the previous year. Touring Rent Auto, which operates under the brand Payless on the Romanian market, also registered a higher turnover in 2013 - up 27 percent year-on-year. For 2014, the Group's strategy focuses mainly on strengthening business lines and its market position, and developing the business online. Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com