The FTI Group is taking over all sales and marketing activities for Peter Deilmann and the Deutschland in the German, Austria and Swiss travel agent market, according to a statement released today by Peter Deilmann.
FTI Group identifies itself as the fourth largest German tour operator, and operates the one-ship FTI branded-cruise line, sailing the Berlin.
Direct bookings will still go straight to Peter Deilmann, however.
“We are looking forward to aspect of being able to offer a luxury cruise in our portfolio,” said Ralph Schiller, Group Managing Director of FTI Group, in a translated statement.
FTI will start selling cruises departing from Oct. 1, 2014, through its network of 11,400 travel agencies.
The two partners expect a significant increase in the number of bookings, according to the statement.
“With the FTI Group we gain a strong and rapidly growing distribution network. As the fourth largest German tour operator, they have enormous market power, of which there are long-term benefits,” said Christopher Nolde, managing director at Peter Deilmann.
Both Schiller and Nolde said that future economies of scale in ship management of two one-ship companies is not enough.
