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Coronavirus: Kuoni parent to implement voluntary pay cuts and unpaid leave

Kuoni parent Der Touristik UK is asking staff to take voluntary pay cuts, unpaid leave and voluntary redundancy “across the board”.

Derek Jones, chief executive, has briefed staff today on a raft of cost-cutting initiatives to cope with the coronavirus crisis. He will take a voluntary 30% pay cut.

Other Der Touristik UK brands include Carrier, CV Villas, Jules Verne, Kirker and Journey Latin America.

Other cost-cutting measures including reducing marketing spend, cancelling outdoor events and negotiating lease agreements on its stores.

Jones said: “My first priority right now is the health and wellbeing of our team and I will take every possible action to ensure that they and their families are as well protected as possible.

“We are taking steps to encourage homeworking for head office staff and we’ve also changed the arrangements for our retail stores so our team are available to support customers and make bookings for them over the phones but for the time being we are limiting face-to-face meetings so have closed the doors of all shops.

“As a worldwide tour operator we have witnessed the slow elimination of all of our destinations, beginning with China and Italy and culminating in the FCO advice against all international travel earlier this week.

“The response of all staff at Kuoni and our specialist businesses has been extraordinary.

“It’s a huge privilege to lead this business and right now I’ve never been prouder of all they are doing to support our customers.


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“But we’re having to do things I never thought we would have to do and make decisions I never thought we would have to make and everyone has been outstanding in their energy, commitment and loyalty.

“Along with our colleagues across Europe, we must act quickly to reduce costs wherever we can and have today spoken to our staff today about a raft of measures.

“By coming together collectively to reduce pay and hours across the board we hope to protect as many jobs as we possibly can.

“Our aim is to look to the future, to protect the health of our people, our customers and our business and do all we can to keep flying the flag for the travel industry so we are here in great shape ready and waiting for when people are ready to go on holiday again.”

Kuoni is part of German-based travel group Der Touristik, owned by the international food and travel giant REWE.

 

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