Kuoni Travel UK managing director Derek Jones (pictured) says the business can be “better developed” under new ownership following news the UK tour operation is up for sale.
All of the Swiss-owned Kuoni Travel Group’s tour operating interests in Switzerland, Benelux, Hong Kong/China, India and Scandinavia are also to be offloaded, affecting about 3,800 staff in total. The business generated turnover of CHF 2.2 billion last year.
Speaking after the news, Jones said: “We firmly believe that the outbound business can be better developed under new ownership and we’ll be working closely with our colleagues in Switzerland to make sure we find the right buyers.”
Jones added it continued to be “business as usual” for the UK operation during the busy peak sales period.
He said: “It’s very much business as usual right now for all our staff and customers. This is the busiest time for holiday bookings and right now our focus is on continuing to deliver brilliant holidays and service for all customers.”
Jones said the UK leadership team would remain in place to oversee the process and continue its ambitious growth plans in the UK market. Staff were being briefed on the sale plans this morning.
Kuoni Travel UK was established in the UK market 50 years ago and sells holidays to more than 80 destinations around the world.
The UK group includes specialist businesses Carrier, Kirker, Voyage Jules Verne, CV Villas and Journeys of Distinction.
The company also has 35 Kuoni branded shops throughout the UK, including 10 Kuoni concessions in John Lewis stores.