Former Monarch Travel Group head of marketing, Steven Seddon, is joining Kuoni Travel UK in the newly-created role of head of marketing and digital.
Reporting to Kuoni Travel UK managing director Derek Jones, he will be responsible for shaping the company’s strategic approach to marketing at a time when technology and mobile communication channels are providing dynamic ways to build deeper relationships with customers.
Jones said: “Our business has evolved significantly over the last three years as we have transitioned from being a brochure-driven tour operator sold mainly through third party travel agents, to a dynamic online travel retailer with our own-branded shops.
“We are building a very different online experience with kuoni.co.uk – joining up the very best of mobile and tablet based inspiration with unbeatable offline knowledge and service.’’
“We own a clear space in the market for high end travel, which requires expert knowledge from our sales staff and a high degree of customer service to create tailor-made itineraries.
“That’s the message we’re focusing on for the peak January booking period.”
Seddon said: “The shape of the Kuoni business has changed significantly in recent years and it’s an exciting time to be leading the marketing and online teams of a multi-award winning high end travel brand with ambitious plans for growth.”
Before joining Monarch Travel Group, Seddon spent six years in senior marketing roles at Virgin Trains. He started his career in marketing with Tui UK for the Thomson Holidays brand, where he spent six years.
There are 31 Kuoni-branded high street shops, six Kuoni partnership stores and ten ‘Kuoni at John Lewis’ concessions and more to open later this year and in 2015 as well as a growing online presence.