5 2


Tui to launch three river cruise vessels in 2020


Harry Kemble harry.kemble@travelweekly.co.uk


Tui is to launch into the river cruise market with three ships next summer.


Tui River Cruises’ first


three vessels will each carry 155-passengers and sail on the Danube, Rhine, Main and Moselle. The line’s debut programme will


offer 19 itineraries, which will go on sale on April 25. Tui River Cruises bought the


ships from operators Werner- Tours and Reisebüro Mittelthurgau Fluss. Those companies will continue to operate the vessels until October when Tui River Cruises will take control. It is understood that Tui has


been considering buying river cruise vessels for nearly a year after Tui Group chief executive Fritz Joussen hinted about moving into the sector last May. Tui previously operated river cruise vessels between 2011 and


2014 aimed at the German market. The line’s programme will be


the first river product Tui agents in the UK have sold. Passengers will be able to create


bespoke packages including full- board and premium options for drinks and cabin types. The ships will have a handful of


private balcony suites. The line will also offer £120


credit for excursions including bike tours, cookery classes and sightseeing tours expert. As with Marella Cruises ships,


tips and service charges will be included in the fare. Chris Hackney, cruise managing


director for Tui UK and Ireland, said: “We’re always looking for opportunities to offer even more variety when it comes to choosing the perfect holiday. “Our river cruises will really


take this to the next level as customers are able to personalise their package, whether that’s board type, cabins, excursions and even cocktail choice.”


3 50 40 30 20


% 10


Gender pay gap in...


Figures rounded Source:


2018 2017 Government Equalities Office


Pay gap widens at several firms


Amie Keeley amie.keeley@travelweekly.co.uk


Just under half of a group of major travel companies have reported a wider gender pay gap in 2018 compared with 2017. Travel Weekly analysed 21 travel companies’ mean pay gap, which compares the average hourly wages of male and female staff. EasyJet, British Airways, Thomas Cook retail, Travel Republic and Gold Medal were among the eight firms that reported a bigger gap (see chart). Companies, charities and public


sector departments with 250 employees or more had to submit their gender pay gap figures by April 4. The data relates to pay figures from one day in April 2018 and one day in April 2017. Travel 2 had almost eradicated


The Danube will be one of four rivers on which Tui River Cruises will sail


its gender pay gap, reporting a difference in average pay of only 0.8%, compared with 21% last year. Jet2holidays reduced its gap


from 20% to 16%. Its airline business improved marginally from 53.5% to 51%.


High street agency Dawson& Sanderson reported zero difference, the same as 2017. Airlines’ gender pay gaps are


often skewed by a male-dominated pilot workforce – 95% of pilots are male. EasyJet said it had 222 female pilots in April 2018, up from 128 in 2015, but its latest pay gap was attributed to a rise in the proportion of female cabin crew. Research by travel recruitment


firm C&M Recruitment found women were routinely missing out on top travel jobs. Females were appointed to


69% of all new travel jobs in 2018 but accounted for only 38% of executive positions paying £40,000 or more. Sarah Clayton-Turner,


chairwoman of the Association of Women Travel Executives, said: “It’s encouraging to see some companies have taken great steps to reducing the gender pay gap. However, some have actually increased and this is so disappointing. Companies need to look at barriers for female


progression in the workplace.” › AWTE ends ITT support, page 10


11 April 2019 travelweekly.co.uk 5 STORIES HOT


MIXED BAG: How some firms’ gender pay gap grew in 2018 60


Thomas Cook retail Thomas Cook Airlines


14.2% 13.8%


52% 54%


Tui retail Tui Airways Jet2holidays Jet2.com EasyJet


4% 10%


56.8% 57%


16% 20% 51%


53% 54%


52%


Gold Medal 18%


24%


Travel Republic BA


30% 40%


35% 35%


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