What is your first impression of a holiday destination? For many travellers, it begins on the transfer bus from the airport to the hotel.

In Benidorm, bus driver Carlos welcomes arriving guests, loads their luggage and sets off towards the coast. At first glance, it seems like any other journey. But this bus is a little different: it is one of the first ten buses in Spain operating with renewable diesel (HVO, or hydrotreated vegetable oil).

Depending on the certified fuel batch used, fuel-related emissions from vehicles operating on HVO can be significantly lower than those of conventional diesel, with reductions of up to 90% possible*. HVO is produced from waste and residual materials, including used cooking oil. In the 2025 financial year, two HVO buses covered more than 174,000 kilometres, the equivalent of almost four journeys around the world.

"The passenger experience is exactly the same," says Carlos. "Guests simply get on the bus and start their holiday. Most won't notice any difference, but for us it's an opportunity to learn how alternative fuels perform in day-to-day operations."

However, it is not only bus drivers like Carlos who are on the road every day. Local teams also cover many kilometres while supporting guests, organising excursions and coordinating activities. That is why new vehicle concepts are already being introduced in some holiday destinations.

On Menorca, for example, TUI's local team now operates a fully electric fleet. In Mallorca, five fully electric vehicles have recently been added to the local fleet. For shorter journeys, TUI teams in some destinations also use e-bikes.

Diogo Neves, TUI's mobility expert in Portugal, is closely involved in these initiatives. "Before introducing any solution on a larger scale, there are practical questions to answer," he explains. "How do different vehicle technologies perform in everyday operations? Which options work best for shorter routes and which for longer distances? These answers come from real-world experience."

Holidaymakers may also begin to notice some of these changes. In many holiday regions, the availability of electric rental cars and charging facilities is increasing. Travellers choosing an electric vehicle often have more options than they did just a few years ago. Through the TUI eCharge app, customers currently have access to more than 1 Million charging points worldwide.

The way people move around during their holidays will continue to evolve. Not all of these changes will be immediately visible, but work is already underway in many destinations to test new approaches for transfer buses, rental cars and local vehicle fleets.

After all, a holiday is not just about the destination itself. It is also about all the journeys in between.

* The exact reduction depends on the fuel batch supplied. The specific percentage is documented in the sustainability certification associated with each batch.