Pandemic pushes German tourism giant TUI deep into loss
The world's largest tour operator
TUI said Thursday it slumped to a huge loss in the third quarter as the
coronavirus pandemic ravages the global travel sector.
The German tourism giant, which has already announced job cuts and store
closures, posted a bottom-line net loss of €1.42 billion in the period from April to June.
In the same period a year earlier it booked net profit of €22.8 million.
TUI runs its business year from October to September, and in the nine months to June, TUI's cumulative net loss amounted to €2.3 billion.
In the third quarter alone, revenues plunged 98 percent to €71.8 million, as hotels, cruiseship and flight operations all but shut down because of global coronavirus lockdowns.
The company restarted tourism operations in June, including a much-publicised first trip with German tourists to the Spanish island of Mallorca.
READ ALSO: Germany threatens new rules for travellers after 'reckless behavior' in Mallorca
It reopened around 55 hotels during the quarter, equivalent to around 15
percent of its total portfolio.
The Hanover-based company had previously announced that it would axe 8,000 jobs worldwide to reduce costs.
"We are targeting a permanent annual saving of more than €300 million," TUI said.
Looking ahead, TUI said it expected to cover costs and break even at an operating level in the fourth quarter.
And it said that bookings for summer 2021 were up 145 percent compared with those for 2020.
"Bookings are currently up significantly as customers both re-book holidays
from this summer and look to secure new holidays early," TUI said.
The publication of third-quarter earnings came a day after the company secured a new government aid package.
The German government and TUI agreed to a further €1.2 billion in
public aid on top of €1.8 billion loan that the company secured in April.
It means TUI now has €2.4 billion in available cash, it said.
"With the second state credit line, we are prepared in case the pandemic
again has a major impact on tourism," chief executive Fritz Joussen said.
READ ALSO: German tourism giant to receive €1.2 billion aid package
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The German tourism giant, which has already announced job cuts and store
closures, posted a bottom-line net loss of €1.42 billion in the period from April to June.
In the same period a year earlier it booked net profit of €22.8 million.
TUI runs its business year from October to September, and in the nine months to June, TUI's cumulative net loss amounted to €2.3 billion.
In the third quarter alone, revenues plunged 98 percent to €71.8 million, as hotels, cruiseship and flight operations all but shut down because of global coronavirus lockdowns.
The company restarted tourism operations in June, including a much-publicised first trip with German tourists to the Spanish island of Mallorca.
READ ALSO: Germany threatens new rules for travellers after 'reckless behavior' in Mallorca
It reopened around 55 hotels during the quarter, equivalent to around 15
percent of its total portfolio.
The Hanover-based company had previously announced that it would axe 8,000 jobs worldwide to reduce costs.
"We are targeting a permanent annual saving of more than €300 million," TUI said.
Looking ahead, TUI said it expected to cover costs and break even at an operating level in the fourth quarter.
And it said that bookings for summer 2021 were up 145 percent compared with those for 2020.
"Bookings are currently up significantly as customers both re-book holidays
from this summer and look to secure new holidays early," TUI said.
The publication of third-quarter earnings came a day after the company secured a new government aid package.
The German government and TUI agreed to a further €1.2 billion in
public aid on top of €1.8 billion loan that the company secured in April.
It means TUI now has €2.4 billion in available cash, it said.
"With the second state credit line, we are prepared in case the pandemic
again has a major impact on tourism," chief executive Fritz Joussen said.
READ ALSO: German tourism giant to receive €1.2 billion aid package
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