TUI – KIRIACOULIS START CO-OPERATING IN THE FIELD OF SEA TOURISM
WITH TWO CATAMARANS IN CORFU AND RHODES
The Shipping Company CATPRO in which ΤUI Hellas -the largest Tour Operator of German interests in the world- and Kiriacoulis Mediterranean Cruises Shipping S.A. hold a 50% equity stake each, took delivery of its first catamaran from Fountaine Pajot shipyards.
The catamaran has already started offering daily cruises in Corfu; whereas a second one is expected to come to Greece in the following days offering daily cruises in Rhodes. CATPRO which started operations this season is engaged in the purchase and exploitation of recreational vessels in Greece and abroad and is aiming at providing top quality services in the sea tourism field.
TUI Group, which is included in DAX of Frankfurt Stock Exchange, has posted a turnover of € 20,3 billion for 2002. The Group has presence in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Poland, UK, Ireland, Belgium, France, Holland, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Norway, China and Greece. It controls 285 hotels throughout the world the total capacity of which comes to 150.000 beds, 3.700 travel agencies, 81 tour operators and 83 airplanes. The Group serves over 20 million customers every year and employs 71.000 people. TUI Hellas has recorded a turnover of € 60 million for 2002 and operates 23 branch offices.
Kiriacoulis Mediterranean Cruises Shipping S.A. ranks among the first 3 largest companies engaged in the field of sea tourism worldwide and it is the only Greek company which besides the 8 service points in Greece, it also operates another 12 service points abroad. The Group also operates charter agencies in Greece, France and Germany and also co-operates with more than 450 other agencies forming a worldwide charter network. Moreover, Kiriacoulis Group controls 4 marinas in Greece (Zea, Gouvia-Corfu, Kalamata and Lefkas).
As far as the reduced tourist trade this season in Greece is concerned and how it affects the profitability of the company, the President and Managing Director of Kiriacoulis Mediterranean Cruises Shipping S.A. Mr. Theofanis Kiriacouilis pointed out that “this situation has not affected the company at all and this is evidenced by the number of charters as well as by the first half and the full year results which will be increased compared to last year. This is due, among other things, to the fact that Kiriacoulis Mediterranean Cruises Shipping S.A. operates service points in different geographical regions in the Mediterranean Sea diversifying thus its customer base and reducing its political and geographical risk”.
Athens, August 18th, 2004
