TUI Travel Services

TUI (Touristik Union International) is the world's leading integrated tourism group. The brand's origins date back to 1923 with the founding of Preussag AG, a German mining and industrial conglomerate. In the late 1990s, under the leadership of Michael Frenzel, the company pivoted toward tourism by acquiring Hapag-Lloyd and other major tour operators. In 2002, Preussag was officially rebranded as TUI AG, adopting the iconic 'Smile' logo to reflect its new focus.

Today, TUI operates a vertically integrated business model, meaning it owns or controls various parts of the travel experience. This includes over 400 hotels and resorts (such as TUI Blue and RIU), five European airlines (including TUI fly Nordic and TUI Airways), and several cruise lines like TUI Cruises and Hapag-Lloyd Cruises. Because the company provides services globally—from Mediterranean beach resorts to Caribbean cruises—its 'product' is delivered across multiple countries rather than being manufactured in a single location.

As of 2026, TUI Group is a publicly traded company headquartered in Hanover, Germany. It is listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (MDAX). While it has a diverse international shareholder base, including significant institutional investors and travel partners like the RIU family, it operates as an independent global entity with its ultimate corporate seat in Germany.