Sunweb Group, parent company of travel organizations such as Sunweb, Eliza was here, GOGO and Primavera, is well on its way to realizing its growth strategy. Part of the growth strategy is also investing in sustainability and international expansion together with partners. The company is responding to the changing needs and demands of modern holidaymakers and is expanding its offer. Sunweb Group recently announced, among other things, that it was expanding its offer with train journeys via Eliza was here and cruises under the Sunweb flag.
“Because we, as a large travel organization, now also offer train journeys and cruises, we are making these modes of travel more accessible to many more people. In this way we offer new, fully-fledged alternatives for celebrating holidays. We see great potential in these forms of travel to grow our organization, but more importantly, we can offer our existing and new customers even more. Holidays are becoming increasingly customized and we are proud to provide our customers with new and unique holiday memories. The train trip to Puglia is a first step, later this year we also expect to offer train trips to our winter sports destinations."
Broadening the range and further internationalization
The 12-day train journey, which can be booked through Eliza was here, takes the customer to Puglia, in the south of Italy. This is a pilot that will start in June and is a way for Sunweb Group to 'seduce' travelers to other, more sustainable, ways of travel. The holiday starts in Amsterdam, Utrecht or Arnhem and after a journey of two days, via Milan and Basel, an electric rental car is ready in Bari to travel to two atmospheric, unique and small-scale accommodations for which Eliza was here is so known. .
Under the Sunweb banner, Sunweb Group now also offers cruise trips in collaboration with a selective number of leading shipping companies with routes to various destinations, ranging from the Mediterranean to Scandinavia and the Caribbean islands. In recent years, the 'digital holiday expert' has seen the demand for cruises increase. More and more people see cruises as an ideal way of vacationing, and it is one of the fastest growing travel segments. Moreover, it is a market that traditionally still trades a lot 'offline', which means that a whole new customer group can be reached online. As a fully digital player, Sunweb's ambition is to quickly achieve a significant market share in the cruise industry with a sound e-commerce strategy.
Internationally, Sunweb Group also has great ambitions. After Sunweb ski holidays, Eliza was here from 1 June also active in the United Kingdom with small-scale holidays. In addition to rolling out existing products in other markets, Sunweb Group is also looking at acquisitions abroad in order to further accelerate growth.
Investing in more sustainable alternatives
Sustainability is also part of these changing wishes. Sunweb Group has decided to stop investing in CO2 compensation. Instead of the compensation, Sunweb Group, together with its international partners, will invest in making its own supply more sustainable, such as recently increasing the share of sustainable aviation fuel SAF with Transavia. SAF is the most sustainable fuel alternative, emitting at least 75% less CO2 than fossil kerosene. The plan is to use more SAF every year.
“We continuously work with our partners on initiatives that contribute to a more sustainable future. Offsetting CO2 is doubtfully effective and that is why we choose to invest in other ways that have an immediate and long-term effect. This includes reducing our environmental footprint in the air, but also local initiatives that have a direct impact on the communities around our destinations.”
Customers who have booked before June 1 and still want to compensate for the expected CO2 emissions from their holiday can indicate this. Sunweb will then compensate for the expected CO2 emissions of the holiday (travel, transfer and accommodation), according to the parent company.
Photo above and below: Sunweb Group image bank.
