Cristian Pandel, founder and majority shareholder of Christian Tour, stated that he is preparing to open Christian Tour branches in Hungary, Serbia, and Poland. At the same time, he plans to launch charter flights from these countries to established tourist destinations in Greece, Turkey, and Spain.
In 2012, the company opened the Memento Turkey travel agency, followed shortly by Memento Spain. At the beginning of 2014, the company also entered the Greek market, and at the end of 2014, it opened the first Christian Tour travel agency outside the country’s borders, in Chisinau.
Last year, tourism operations in Turkey, Greece, and Spain recorded a turnover of approximately EUR 7.5 million.
Poland, Serbia, Hungary, and the Czech Republic are among the main regional markets sending an increasing number of tourists to Greece and Turkey year after year.
Christian Tour, as the owner of a 4-star resort on Corfu Island – Memento Kasioppi Resort –, has observed the same trend. In both the 2014 season and the current one, most tourists came from the Czech Republic, Poland, Romania, and the United Kingdom.
Marius Pandel specified that starting in 2015, the decision was made to expand and popularize the Christian Tour brand in several countries, also benefiting from the experience gained as hoteliers in Greece. This brand consolidation was initiated in 2013, when the gradual incorporation of companies in which they were shareholders began. Thus, Pegas Holidays and Senior Voyage became product brands of Christian Tour.
“Because we aim to consolidate the brand we have been building for 18 years, we also decided to withdraw our shareholding from other niche-focused Romanian tourism brands – Europa Travel and Bibi Touring. Through this decision, we aim to emphasize the development of domestic and corporate tourism within our brand. In the short and medium term, we will redirect most of the investment into this area,” stated Cristian Pandel.
Last year, Christian Tour, together with all the companies in its group, recorded a turnover of EUR 62 million, a figure that ranks it among the top travel agencies in Romania.
Currently, Christian Tour owns 30 of its own agencies throughout Romania, plus a branch in Chisinau and approximately 168 employees, remaining the largest charter holiday tour operator in Romania.
Source: Daily Business
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Christian Tour expanding its operations?
Christian Tour is expanding into Hungary, Serbia, and Poland, opening new branches and launching charter flights from these countries to popular destinations.
What is Christian Tour’s market position in Romania?
It is the largest charter holiday tour operator in Romania, with a group turnover of EUR 62 million and 30 agencies nationwide.
What is the company’s new strategic focus?
The company is focusing on domestic and corporate tourism while consolidating its main brand and exiting niche brands like Europa Travel and Bibi Touring.