Abstract
The History of TUI is atypical. Since the mid-1990, TUI has reinvented itself. Historically, Preussag was a German company of smelting and mining industry
(Viarlot, 2007 and TUI, 2010a). However, the profitability of this sector decreased and the competition from the emergent country started to be strong (Viarlot). In 1997, Preussag acquired Hapag Lloyd AG, a German company in transport and tourism
(TUIa). The company moved its scope to the service industry. It becomes a European tourism leader with major merges: the English Thomson Travel Group
(2001), the French Nouvelles Frontières (2002) (TUI)... In 2002, the company was renamed “TUI AG” (Viarlot and TUI). At the same time, TUI sold its last industrial subsidiaries to develop its tourist offer (e.g.: Preussag Energie to Gaz de France in
2002) (TUI).
2) Type of Organisation:
TUI AG is an “Aktiengesellschaft” (AG); this German term is similar to the English PLC (Worthington and Britton, 2003). However, the AG needs two boards of
directors: the supervisory board (Chairman: Dietmar Kuhntand) and the managing board (Chairman: Michael Frenzel) (TUI, 2010b and Worthington and Britton).
3) Scope:
TUI AG is divided in three major subsidiaries (TUI, 2010c). TUI Travel PLC is a tour operator, it offer packaged and pre-planned holidays (Viarlot and TUI). Thomson and Nouvelles Frontières some brands of the tour wholesaler (TUI). TUI Hotels and Resorts offers Holiday room. Groupotel, Robinson are also brands of TUI. Finally, TUI Cruises provides luxury cruises. This joint venture between TUI and Royal Caribbean Cruises has existed since 2008. The major Market of TUI AG is Europe (TUI).
