AUSTRIA: MORE HOLIDAYS ABROAD

Article Abstract:

More Austrians are spending their summer holidays abroad. In the summer season of 2000, the about 2,000 Austrian travel agencies have recorded a double-digit increase in bookings. Travels to Turkey have increased by 232% in 2000 after the political situation made travellers cautious in the previous year. Holidays in Egypt have increased by 55% and those in Italy by 17%. Due to the EU sanctions, many groups have cancelled bus and train trips to France and Belgium. The 350 travel agencies concentrating on incoming tourists have recorded an increase of up to 20% in bookings. More tourists come to Austria especially from Germany, Italy, Scandinavia and the US. The travel agencies sold 21mn hotel nights to foreign tourists in 1999, or about one third of all nights spent by foreigners in the country. Austrian travel agencies have a combined turnover of about Sch 29.5bn, of which package tours account for Sch 11bn, other air travels for Sch 10bn and inwards tourism for Sch 8.45bn.

Forecasts, trends, outlooks

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AUSTRIA: GERMANS TAKE OVER RUEFA TRAVEL AGENCIES

Article Abstract:

Bawag , which is concentrating on banking, is selling its 45.66% stake in the travel agent chain Ruefa AG to Bayerische Landesbank of Germany. The acquisition, the terms of which were not disclosed, takes place through the charter airline Aerolloyd, in which BayernLB holds a stake. The Austrian trade union confederation OGB remains the biggest shareholder of Ruefa. Ruefa has more than 80 branches and subsidiaries. Group turnover amounts to about Sch 3.1bn. It is the second-biggest travel agency group in Austria after Osterreichisches Verkehrsburo. Beside Austria, Ruefa is active in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia. Also Osterreichisches Verkehrsburo, ITS-Billa Reisen (Rewe group), TUI, Frosch Touristik (FTi) and Condor Neckermann were said to be interested in Ruefa.

Publisher: Unabhaengige Tageszeitungs fuer Oesterreich
Publication Name: Presse
Subject: Business, international
ISSN:
Year: 2000

Asset sales & divestitures, Bawag

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AUSTRIA: REWE OPENS FIRST ATLAS TRAVEL AGENCY

Article Abstract:

German trading and tourism group Rewe is opening its first Austrian Atlas travel agency in Vienna on 13 Jul 2001. Further travel agencies are planned in Vienna and Steyr. The agencies will offer not only Rewe travel brands, but offer trips from a variety of operators. In Germany, Atlas Reisen is one of the largest travel agency chains. The 470 branches booked trips worth EUR 787mn for more than 1.5mn customers. Rewe is already active in the Austrian tourism sector through its subsidiary ITS-Billa.

Publisher: Unabhaengige Tageszeitungs fuer Oesterreich
Publication Name: Presse
Subject: Business, international
ISSN:
Year: 2001

Foreign operations, Atlas Corp.

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Subjects list: Austria, Travel agents, Travel industry