#01 — The first impression

Who we are and what we do.

We're primarily passionate tourism experts... and 'wingmen'. As an owner-run business, we have been working daily for and with travel agencies, tour operators, destinations and service providers as their close, trustworthy partner for 30 years, bringing them closer together. The resulting network ensures maximum advantages for our travel agencies, who remain fully independent, and direct (and therefore valuable) access to potential customers for partners.

More information available here
 
#01 — The first impression

Who we are and what we do.

We're primarily passionate tourism experts... and 'wingmen'. As an owner-run business, we have been working daily for and with travel agencies, tour operators, destinations and service providers as their close, trustworthy partner for 30 years, bringing them closer together. The resulting network ensures maximum advantages for our travel agencies, who remain fully independent, and direct (and therefore valuable) access to potential customers for partners.

More information available here.
 
#02 — The Manuel Molina story

It all started with 12 travel agencies.

The idea to start a travel-agency co-operation was a result of coincidence, craziness, tenacity and tremendous creativity. In 1993, Manuel Molina, a passionate airline employee, had a vision of providing newly trained travel agents and their agencies with representation and support on the market. And thus 'TSS Touristik Service System GmbH' was born. The co-operation started with twelve travel agencies, many of which remain loyal partners to this day.

Although the early days weren't easy, the tireless dedication of Manuel Molina and Horst Lösch, TSS's first employee, enabled as many as 350 travel agencies to be recruited every year. Manuel Molina had long placed great emphasis on independence to maintain freedom in strategic and operational business decisions. Today, TSS' partner agencies continue to enjoy a high degree of autonomy. The relationship is not based on long-term contracts, but rather on the added value that comes with co-operating in a vast network and being equal-ranking partners.

Wie kommt man eigentlich darauf, eine Reisebüro-Kooperation zu gründen? Wie so oft im Leben steht der Zufall ebenso Pate wie ein gewisses Maß an Verrücktheit, Hartnäckigkeit und ein Kopf voller Ideen. 1993 hatte Manuel Molina, gebürtiger Spanier und passionierter Airliner nach den ersten erkenntnisreichen Kursen an der IHK die Vision, den eben frisch ausgebildeten Reisverkehrskaufleuten und deren Reisebüros eine Vertretung zu geben und sie am Markt zu unterstützen. Die Geburtsstunde der „TSS Touristik Service System GmbH“.

Zu Beginn waren ganze zwölf Reisebüros mit an Bord. Viele von Ihnen sind noch heute treue Wegbegleiter. Das trügt nicht darüber hinweg, dass der Start nicht ganz leicht war, aber nach anfänglichen Rückschlägen und vor allem Dank des unermüdlichen Einsatzes von Manuel Molina und Horst Lösch, der seit 1994 als erster Mitarbeiter bei TSS angestellt war, konnten bald bis zu 350 Reisebüros jährlich akquiriert werden. Besonders wichtig war Manuel Molina immer die Unabhängigkeit, um die freie Gestaltungshoheit bei strategischen, aber auch rein operativen Unternehmensentscheidungen beizubehalten. Den TSS-Partnerbüros wird bis heute ein Höchstmaß an Eigenständigkeit gewährt. Die Bindung der Büros an die Kooperation erfolgt nicht mit Langzeitverträgen, sondern wir überzeugen mit den Mehrwerten aus der Zusammenarbeit in einem großen Netzwerk sowie Partnerschaftlichkeit auf Augenhöhe.

#02 — The Manuel Molina story

It all started with 12 travel agencies.

The idea to start a travel-agency co-operation was a result of coincidence, craziness, tenacity and tremendous creativity. In 1993, Manuel Molina, a passionate airline employee, had a vision of providing newly trained travel agents and their agencies with representation and support on the market. And thus 'TSS Touristik Service System GmbH' was born. The co-operation started with twelve travel agencies, many of which remain loyal partners to this day.

Although the early days weren't easy, the tireless dedication of Manuel Molina and Horst Lösch, TSS's first employee, enabled as many as 350 travel agencies to be recruited every year. Manuel Molina had long placed great emphasis on independence to maintain freedom in strategic and operational business decisions. Today, TSS' partner agencies continue to enjoy a high degree of autonomy. The relationship is not based on long-term contracts, but rather on the added value that comes with co-operating in a vast network and being equal-ranking partners.

 

2023 - 2022

Our anniversary. Will you be joining the celebrations?

It's hard to believe but we've been defying setbacks, crises and numerous injustices for nearly 3 decades. Always in the best interests of our partners.

Independence as the cornerstone of our success

Our independence strategy sees us emerge from the crisis better than many others. Contrary to all forecasts, we're almost back to our pre-crisis levels.

2021 - 2020

Introduction of the liquidity bonus

We're there for our agencies during difficult times. With the new liquidity bonus, we ensure fast, practical help and create incentives for action.

We master digital formats

Crises can also be used as opportunities. We are a pioneer in digital concepts: from conferences, to famils to trips around the world.

COVID-19 sets new crisis standards

It's something the world has never seen before - tourism was out of the question for months. But that's precisely when our ties with our travel agencies are particularly close.

Relocation to new headquarters

Growing fields of business require more and more space. We move into our modern, new office. Lots of space to work with our partners.

2017 - 2016

Dissolution of the TMCV association

Separation from the AER co-operation means TSS is now the only remaining independent sales organisation on the German market.

Travel agencies forging closer ties with hotels

We develop an exciting new approach for linking customer loyalty with additional income in the form of MyHotelPlus.

Publication of the first magalog for travel agencies

We adopt new means of customer communication well before anyone else, setting a trend with a magazine-cum-catalogue.

2014 - 2013

Start of the Frag Dein Reisebüro (Ask Your Travel Agency) campaign

Travel agencies need greater visibility. By launching the Frag Dein Reisebüro campaign, we work with and for our partners to send important signals to end customers.

The next major company anniversary

20 years on and busier than ever. The fact that we are congratulated by travel agencies and service providers alike confirms the fact that we are on the right track.

2012 - 2010

A greater focus on added value

The travel agencies are flush with added value. While others just talk about it, we create facts and introduce a performance incentive for TSS partners.

The TSS GROUP vs. markdown charges

By launching a large-scale campaign against the participation of travel agencies in markdown charges for credit-card bookings, we manage to have these withdrawn.

2008 - 2005

TSS welcomes its 2000th partner agency

The next sound barrier is broken. Our 15th anniversary sees us welcome our 2000th partner travel agency.

Holding in consolidator TSS AERTiCKET

The product range continues to expand with top conditions for flights and a joint venture with AERTiCKET.

2003

Founding of Touristik pro fit unlocks new prospects

The TSS service subsidiary means a greater focus on additional income at travel agencies and cost savings for services.

A successful first 10 years of business

A milestone that once again clearly shows we are on the right track. For travel agencies. For independence.

Bound for expansion: Founding of TSS Polska

The TSS GROUP starts its international expansion with a new subsidiary and a wide range of services for Polish travel agencies.

2002 - 2000

Separation from the RTK association and founding of the TMCV

A new mega association is created with AER and TVG. 'This agreement is akin to a coup' is the FVW headline.

Founding of onlineweg.de Touristik

Our subsidiary for optimised offline/online networking as part of our multichannel strategy starts up in Munich.

Manuel Molina receives the Willy Scharnow Award

Manuel Molina is recognised for his services in training and providing continued education for travel agents in the former East Germany.

1999 - 1994

TSS cracks the 1000 partner-agency mark

Our services begin increasingly impressing travel agencies... right across Germany, making us one of the top 3 sales organisations.

TSS becomes the founding member of the RTK association

Together with RT-Reisen and the Schmetterling co-operation, TSS founds Germany's largest tourism association at the time.

The first employment contract is signed

Managing the travel agency and securing new partners becomes a full-time job. Horst Lösch becomes the company's first employee.

1993

Founding of the TSS travel-agency co-operation

We establish the first ever travel-agency co-operation in the former East Germany with 12 travel-agency owners.