FTI
Closer cooperation with Turkish hoteliers
German tour operator FTI is seeking closer cooperation with hoteliers in Turkey to secure its strong growth in the destination.
Foto: fvw/Klaus Hildebrandt
Owner Dietmar Gunz told an audience of some 400 hoteliers, business partners and officials in Antalya: “We are open for partnerships such as joint ventures or the development of joint hotel concepts.” Normally, the Munich-based group is not interested in hotel investments but prefers contractual capacity agreements.
In Turkey, however, the company wants to go in a new direction. “We are looking above all at joint projects with partners from the region and with existing buildings,” explained Yadel Oskan, managing director of Meeting Point IQ, FTI’s incoming agency partner. According to Gunz, talks are already taking place and “two to five” projects could be set up this year. FTI has grown strongly in Turkey in recent years and has increased volumes fivefold within just five years, Gunz told hoteliers. In 2011, the company’s Turkey customer numbers increased by 15% to 575,000. This would make it the third-largest German tour operator to Turkey behind Thomas Cook/Öger Tours and TUI.
The winter season plays a strong role with about 35% of FTI’s Turkey revenues generated between November and April. This makes FTI into “the biggest tour operator for Turkey holidays in the winter season”, according to the company chief. This winter FTI has generated double-digit growth for Turkey, he added.
The event was held to celebrate Meeting Point’s acquisition of a majority stake in IQ Travel last December.
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