German travel giant TUI to move into mobile telephony

(MENAFN- AFP) German travel and tourism giant TUI said Friday it will start offering mobile phone services enabling customers to place calls and surf the web whilst on holiday.

"Mobile communications have become a crucial component of the travel experience. International roaming costs are perceived as a major element of uncertainty by our customers," said Kai Czeschlik, head of TUI's new mobile communications provider TUI Connect.

"TUI Connect will open up the opportunity for holidaymakers to use their tablets and smartphones abroad just as they would do at home," he said.

TUI said customers would be able to subscribe to the new services either via a fixed-term contract or a pre-paid variant.

"With TUI Connect, we are aiming to offer our customers additional services that are also available at their holiday destinations, considerably reduce the associated costs and make them predictable. At the same time, we are seeking to tap new turnover sources for TUI," said TUI chief operating officer Sebastian Ebel.