Galați businessman Dan Ciocea, with activities in fields such as the construction industry, event organization, real estate, and the sugar industry (production of sweet sorghum syrup, a healthier sugar substitute), is investing in a travel service brokerage business.
In the interview conducted at the age of 36 for Forbes Romania, he stated that he is not afraid to invest in a market hit by the crisis. He is confident in his new business concept: a tour operator whose shareholders are the travel agencies themselves.
“This business model does not currently exist in Romania, so I am convinced it will quickly enter the profile market. It will be present in the tourism industry under the brand Holiday Plan.”
Practically, the agencies that resell travel and vacation packages will become shareholders of this new company. “Our goal, by implementing this new concept, is to bring travel agencies to the forefront, as they are in direct contact with the tourist, and if the tour operator fails to ensure service quality, the agency risks losing a client,” specifies the businessman from Galați.
As a tour operator choosing to debut in the third year of the pandemic, the endeavor presents a lower degree of failure according to the entrepreneur, given that the company has no debts accumulated from previous years. Thus, the businessman estimates the turnover for Holiday Plan at 30 million euros in 2022 and 50 million euros in 2023, the year in which he states he would also like to list such a company for the first time on the stock exchange.
In parallel with the launch of Holiday Plan, Dan Ciocea is finalizing the investment in a four-star hotel in the Charles de Gaulle area, which will debut in February 2022.
The total investment for the two projects (Charles de Gaulle hotel and the launch of the tour operator) is up to 4 million EURO.
Dan Ciocea also stated that he intends to open two hotels in the coming years in Dunavățu de Jos and in Sinaia at Cota 1600.
Since January 2021, Dan Ciocea has also entered the food market, investing in a franchise supermarket chain. By the end of the year, he expects to reach 15 units, generating a turnover between 15 and 20 million euros.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the unique business model of Holiday Plan?
Holiday Plan operates as a tour operator where the travel agencies themselves are shareholders, ensuring direct alignment between the service provider and the end customer.
What is the total investment for Dan Ciocea’s new projects?
The total investment for the launch of the Holiday Plan tour operator and the new four-star hotel in the Charles de Gaulle area is approximately 4 million euros.
What are the future expansion plans for this business?
The businessman aims to reach a turnover of 50 million euros and list the company on the stock exchange in 2023, while also opening new hotels in Dunavățu de Jos and Sinaia.