Travel Weekly Group Ltd

🏕 Tui plans significant growth in Asia, aiming to more than double its portfolio of own brand hotels. Currently operating 18 hotels across six Asian countries, including resorts in the Maldives, Thailand, and Sri Lanka. New projects include Tui Blue and Tui Suneo brands, targeting a 2025 launch in China. Additionally, a new luxury brand, 'The Mora,' is being developed for Bali. Tui opened its first hotels in China and Malaysia in 2024 and expanded into Vietnam with Tui Blue Berawa. Tui's presence also includes Tui Blue Maduzi Bangkok in Thailand. Partnership-based expansions under management or franchise agreements are set for 2025. The strategy aims to cater to Asia's growing middle class and diversify Tui's global customer base, reducing dependency on the European market.

📍 Travel-tech specialist Travelier, in partnership with Skift, reported a $198 billion ground and sea transportation market within the $3 trillion global travel industry. The sector encompasses buses, ferries, trains, and intercity transfers but excludes urban metros and ride-hailing. There are over 170,000 stations worldwide, with Asia being the fastest-growing region. Despite a preference for planning trips online by 82% of travellers, only 24% of bookings are made digitally. The report highlights trains leading at $102.2 billion, buses at $77.4 billion, and ferries at $18.4 billion in market size. Digital adoption is accelerating, with the potential for substantial growth in South America, Africa, and the Middle East.