PACIFIC WORLD has repositioned itself as a global DMC, with other TUI Travel-owned DMCs in Europe rebranded as Pacific World, and aims to triple in size by 2017.
All 12 Pacific World offices in its five geographical areas – Europe, Greater China, Singapore/Malaysia, Thailand/Indochina and Indonesia – now report to a global MD in Singapore, Herve Joseph Antoine. Though TUI is European, Pacific World’s Asian base reflects where business is expected to grow the most in the next five years.
Started in Asia 30 years ago by founders Jacques Arnoux and Bob Guy, Pacific World was snapped up by First Choice UK in 2006 and came under TUI when TUI merged with First Choice in 2007. The four TUI-owned DMCs in Europe that have been rebranded as Pacific World are Ultramar Events Spain, Travel ScotWorld Scotland, TUI Hellas Corporate Services Greece and Miltours MICE Division Portugal.
Asia contributes 60 per cent of business and remains the driver of growth, said Herve. He plans to “multiply the size of Pacific World by three” in five years “by opening new destinations and new source markets” either through acquisition or partnership. Currently, Pacific World owns all its offices.
Herve would not reveal current revenue figures or Pacific World’s contribution to the TUI group. Business is split with 65 per cent for DMC, and the rest equally split between corporate and PCO accounts. “We expect to grow each segment,” Herve said, adding that a global Pacific World attached to TUI has certain advantages such as the ability to offer clients wider diversity, stability, good insurance cover and compliance policy.
“With the economic crisis, especially in Europe, a lot of boutique MICE agencies are in difficulty. Clients are wary about sending business to them.
“Business nowadays is not only about personal relationships but strategic relationships,” said Herve.
– Read the full report in TTGmice, February 2013
