TUI Group CEO Fritz Joussen: “Greece is in the core of TUI’s growth strategy” - Meeting with the new Greek Tourism Minister in Athens

• TUI Group CEO Fritz Joussen met with Tourism Minister Theoharis in Athens
• TUI with strong bonds in Greece for more than 40 years
• TUI expanding hotel portfolio in Greece - 6 openings in 2019 - now 49 hotels in total
• Greece is a major destination for TUI's cruise lines, thus contributing to the local economy
• Joussen confirming Greece as one of TUI's major focus destinations in the future

Greece ranks among the two most important destinations for the TUI Group. The world's leading tourism group has been present in Greece for more than 40 years. The country is in the core of TUI's global growth strategy in all business fields, with regard to hotels and cruises as much as for TUI's tour operators, airlines and the rapidly growing field of its destinations experiences, such as excursions, activities and tours. TUI is expecting more than 3 million customers in Greece this year from all across Europe, thus being the market leader in Greece.

Based on this strong and long-standing partnership with Greece and the importance of the country, the Chief Executive Officer of the TUI Group, Fritz Joussen, met today with the new Tourism Minster of Greece, Mr. Harry Theoharis, in Athens. Fritz Joussen congratulated Harry Theoharis for his appointment as Greek Tourism Minister and wished him success and good fortune in his new role. Minister Theoharis and Fritz Joussen discussed in a friendly and open atmosphere, the importance of the tourism sector for the Greek economy and the employment. They talked about the diversity of holiday experiences in Greece, such as sun and beach, local cuisine, history, culture and nature. They exchanged views on tourism investments.

TUI is seeing good demand for holidays in Greece again this year with strong last minute bookings from all source markets more recently. There is a normalization of bookings on high levels. The season is characterized by shift of demand from the Western to the Eastern Mediterranean.

TUI is increasing its portfolio of own hotel brands and concepts in Greece and now has a total of 49 units, after having added six new hotel units alone this year. With the joint venture Atlantica Hotels & Resorts, TUI is driving its hotel strategy in the country further ahead. Next year, a new Robinson Club will be opened in Ierapetra on Crete.

Greece also is a major destination for the 17 cruise ships of TUI and all three cruise companies of the tourism group (TUI Cruises, Hapag Lloyd Cruises and Marella Cruises) are operating in the country. Piraeus, Heraklion, Santorini, Rhodes and Katakolon are the top 5 of Greek ports for TUI's cruise ships. Also smaller ports, like Patmos, Symi or Skiathos are being approached. With new shore excursions, TUI is offering an attractive set of shore experiences and activities to its passengers. The cruises business has a strong contribution to the local economy. According to a study of the EU-funded Green-Cruise-Port-Project, each cruise passenger is spending in local economy 60 euro per head and per day through museums, restaurants, souvenirs, shops, excursions and transport etc.

With TUI Destination Experiences, the Group has an established own service infrastructure across Greece, with 1,700 employees in Athens and 17 other offices in Greek regions and islands, developing and offering a differentiated set of activities and excursions with a special focus on sustainability.