KUONI has purchased Journeys of Distinction for an eight-figure sum as part of a strategy to buy more small to medium-sized specialist operators over the next two years.
Kuoni was one of several trade bidders for the direct-sell operator when the deal was signed last Friday.
Managing director Sue Biggs said it was too early to say whether the upmarket Antipodean escorted-tours operator would now be sold through agents.
But she added: “We’re looking for more small to medium-sized operators but it is only the specialists we’re interested in.”
Meanwhile, the operator is still considering removing its product from viewdata either by mid-December or mid-March.
Multiples and major consortia have already agreed to booking through the operator’s website and online dynamic packaging tool, Kuoni Wizard, instead. Wizard will be upgraded in December to create more complex packages.