2009
The Kuoni Group announced an exceptional CHF 106 million investment and cost reduction programme at the end of January 2009. The three-year programme will include a number of new key strategic initiatives to further strengthen the company for the future, primarily by increasing product differentiation, optimising distribution and reducing costs. The CHF 106 million charges will be spread over a three-year period: planned are CHF 46 million in 2009, CHF 33 million in 2010 and CHF 27 million in 2011. With this programme, Kuoni is adopting a proactive and anticyclical approach in view of the booking declines that are expected for 2009.
2008
The Kuoni Group has acquired a 100% shareholding in Cotravel AG effective 1 January 2009. Cotravel is one of Switzerland’s leading providers of quality educational travel arrangements, primarily in the form of readers’ trips offered in collaboration with top Swiss newspapers and magazines.
The Kuoni Group has earned the distinction of World’s Leading Tour Operator for the eleventh time in a row at the finals of the 2008 World Travel Awards.
In line with the rebranding and the commitment to developing a new culture of travel, Kuoni supported the Manifesto Marathon at the Serpentine Gallery on 18 and 19 October 2008 during the Frieze Art Fair in London, UK. The 2008 Manifesto Marathon signals the latest spectacular event in an on-going series of Kuoni collaborations with prominent experts from worlds of contemporary lifestyle, fashion, art, architecture, music and literature.
Kuoni has fully acquired Carrier Ltd., the Cheshire (UK)-based tour operator together with its retail unit (travel agency) Carrier International Ltd. The acquisition further strengthens the Kuoni Group’s position in the premium segment: Carrier is one of the UK’s leading operators in the luxury travel market.
Kuoni has further expanded its destination management division: With the addition of Australian Tours Management Pty Ltd., which is domiciled in Melbourne, the Kuoni Group is now present on all continents. ATM is active on behalf of foreign tour operators in Australia’s destination management market.
Kuoni’s repositioning as a global travel brand with innovative product lines, a contemporary-style logo and new-look brochures was successfully launched worldwide with the Global Launch Event in London in September 2008. Within the last few months, Kuoni also announced a series of interesting partnerships – i.e. with the Serpentine Gallery in London or with the design shooting star Osman Yousefzada.
Kuoni opened a Flagship Store in London’s shopping area High Street Kensington in March 2008 and a new “flagship” in Manchester in Mid-September 2008.
The new Flagship Store in Mumbai was opened in line with the local brand launch in India in September 2008. The luxury outlet distinguishes itself especially through its modernity and its blending of Indian and European styles.
The Kuoni Group has disposed of its travel offices in Austria. The 30 outlets which were operated by Reisebüro Kuoni GmbH and Restplatzbörse GmbH were taken over by the local management.
Kuoni further strengthened its position in the Swiss direct-sales travel market and acquired a 60% shareholding in Direkt Reisen AG, which is domiciled near Zurich, Switzerland. The company is one of Switzerland’s leading direct sellers of inclusive-tour products to the Mediterranean, the Caribbean and African and Asian destinations.
The Kuoni Group acquired, together with a local partner, an 80% stake in Dubai-based Desert Adventures Tourism. The company is active in destination management in four countries in the region: the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Qatar and Bahrain.
In the course of the re-branding process, Kuoni also created the ‘Kuoni Getaway Council’ – a changeable group of prolific experts and innovative thinkers from different fields, industries and countries – to help better define, explore and understand the developments, themes and moods that define our times; both in the present and in the future.
Kuoni redesigned its brand completely. Kuoni’s repositioning as a global travel brand with innovative product lines, a contemporary-style logo and new-look brochures was successfully launched in Mai 2008 in Zurich.
The Kuoni Group acquired specialist tour operator Golf Plaisir Resebyra AB. The Swedish-based company is currently the biggest independent provider of golf travel products to the Scandinavian market, and specialises in group travel for golfers to Mediterranean destinations and exclusive tailored golfing vacations all over the world.
Peter Rothwell was named new CEO of the Kuoni Group. He will take up the position starting 1 January 2009. With 26 years of experience Peter Rothwell has a proven track record in the tourist industry.
Matthias Leisinger, who was previously in charge of Environmental Affairs at Kuoni Switzerland, was named Head of Corporate Responsibility of the Kuoni Group.
Kuoni has established a presence for itself on the Second Life internet platform. The venture into this virtual world, which goes by the name of INOUK, is an experiment to gather information that could be used in future projects and acquire experience in new communications channels.
Peter Brun was named Head of Corporate Communications of Kuoni Travel Holding Ltd. He will perform his new function in parallel with his present duties as Head of Communications for Kuoni Switzerland.
Kuoni Travel Holding Ltd. and Swiss International Air Lines embarked on a comprehensive strategic partnership. Kuoni offers its range of hotels via SWISS.COM, and SWISS acquired Kuoni’s leisure airline Edelweiss Air (as of November 2008).
The Kuoni Group continued to pursue its acquisition strategy in the specialist-travel segment and has acquired Swiss-based tour operator Unique Travel GmbH. The company is a specialist and market leader in leisure travel arrangements to Slovenia, Croatia and Montenegro.
2007
Roberto Luna, Managing Director of Business Unit Switzerland, leaves Kuoni. Stefan Leser, Head of Strategic Business Division (SBD) Smart and a member of the Group Executive Board, assumes responsibility for Kuoni Switzerland.
Kuoni acquired Danish-based tour operator Falk Lauritsen Rejser A/S. The company specialises in travel to Mediterranean and Caribbean destinations, for which it is excellently established in the Danish market.
The Kuoni Group has acquired the French-based Les Ateliers du Voyage travel company.
Sue Biggs steps down. Nick Hughes has been appointed Managing Director of Kuoni UK.
Kuoni acquires Russian-based UTE Megapolus Group, the specialist provider of high-quality leisure travel products and services for a more affluent clientele.
Kuoni Travel Holding Ltd. adopts a new group structure centred on three new Strategic Business Divisions – SBD Style (for brand and service-driven products), SBD Smart (for vacations that primarily offer outstanding value for money) and SBD Destinations (for local land arrangements). Rolf Schafroth is elected onto the Group Executive Board.
The Kuoni Group acquires UK-based CV Travel, a well-established specialist tour operator providing luxury villas and ski chalet holidays for discerning customers in the UK travel market.
Remo Masala joined Kuoni as new Head of Branding & Marketing to further develop the groupwide portfolio of brands.
Wolfgang Beeser, Heinz Karrer and John Lindquist were elected onto the Board of Directors at the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders.
Kuoni Switzerland continues to expand its portfolio in the specialist segment and acquired Dorado Latin Tours AG. The travel specialist is one of the leading operators of tours to South America and the Polar region.
Kuoni has appointed Alexander Brochier as Senior Vice-President Group Human Resources.
The Kuoni Group has its first branch office in Belgium. The office, which is located in Ghent and opened at the beginning of 2007, specialises in providing long-haul vacation travel products in the premium segment.
Armin Meier has been elected to the Executive Committee of the World Travel & Tourism Council. Kuoni Group is now represented within one of the world’s most important travel and tourism organisations.
2006
Kuoni has been named for the eight time the World's Leading Tour Operator at World Travel Market (WTM).
The entire Kuoni Group has committed itself to supporting international endeavours to protect children from sexual exploitation by signing up to the “The Code of Conduct”.
The Kuoni Group has acquired the British travel company Holiday Supplies Ltd. with its premium brand "Journeys of Distinction" and the UK-based Kirker Holidays.
Kuoni Group is continuing its acquisition strategy in Asia with the purchase of Asian Trails Holding Ltd., one of the leading destination management companies in South East Asia.
Henning Boysen succeeds Andreas Schmid as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Kuoni Travel Holding Ltd.
Kuoni Switzerland has acquires Kontiki Saga AG, the Swiss market leader for travel to Northern Europe.
Kuoni Travel Group India acquires Distant Frontiers, one of the leading destination management companies in the local Indian market.
Kuoni Travel Nederland B.V. is to take over Avontuur.nu Topholding B.V., the Netherlands’ second-biggest adventure travel specialist.
At the Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders Raymond D. Webster is elected to the Kuoni Travel Holding Ltd. Board of Directors.
As part of its celebrations to mark the centenary of its founding back in 1906, Kuoni launches the Kuoni book "Globally yours" and has commissioned a study of what travellers' wishes and needs might be in the year 2020.
Kuoni takes over 100% of the Las Playitas Resort on Fuerte Ventura.
Bojan Jokic, formerly Head of IT at Kuoni Scandinavia, has been named as the new Chief Information Officer (CIO) of the Kuoni Group. In his new function, he also becomes a member of the Group Management Board.
2005
Armin Meier assumes his new duties as CEO of Kuoni.
Kuoni Travel Nederland B.V. acquires Royal Hansa Tours Holland, which specialises in exclusive cruises all over the world. The acquisition further consolidates Kuoni‘s position as the leading specialist in the Dutch travel market.
Hans Lerch is elected to the Board of Directors for a one-year term of office.
German-based subsidiary Kuoni Reisen GmbH is sold to Otto Freizeit und Touristik GmbH.
The Group Executive Board is expanded by one member: Stefan Leser, who is responsible for Corporate Development. Zubin Karkaria is appointed Managing Director of Kuoni Travel (India) Ltd.
After a 42-year career, Peter Diethelm steps down as Executive Chairman of Kuoni United Kingdom & North America.
The US-based Intrav subsidiary is placed under the interim management of Group Executive Board member Max E. Katz. Sue Biggs is named Managing Director of Strategic Business Unit United Kingdom.
Roberto Luna, a member of the Executive Board of Kuoni Switzerland, is named Head of Kuoni Switzerland.
Destination Management specialist APA Travel (Scotland) Ltd. is acquired, further expanding Kuoni‘s European network.
The Kuoni Group acquires all the business activities and the 100-strong workforce of CIT-Frantour SA, which is in administration.
Kuoni Scandinavia acquires a 70% shareholding in Reisetorget AS, a Norwegian based specialist in online travel sales and also 70 %of Langferdir Iceland, a promotion and sales specialist.
The Kuoni Group has been named for the seventh time the World's Leading Tour Operator at World Travel Market (WTM) in London, Europes biggest tourism trade fair.
Kuoni continues to pursue its policy of acquiring niche and specialist operators: Kuoni Travel Nederland B.V. is to take over Avontuur.nu Topholding B.V., the Netherlands’ second-biggest adventure travel specialist.
Kuoni Travel Holding Ltd. is selling its Intrav, Inc. US subsidiary to UK-based tour operator First Choice Holidays PLC. Kuoni will continue to consistently develop and expand its successful US Destination Management business under the AlliedTPro name.
2004
Hans Lerch to step down as Chief Executive Officer and to be proposed as a member of the Board of Directors at the Annual General Meeting in spring 2005, to be succeeded by Armin Meier as Chief Executive Officer.
Kuoni sells its 49% minority stake in Tui Suisse back to Tui Ltd, Hannover.
The Kuoni Group had decided, under a general review of its overall strategic direction, to sell its Business Travel-BTI Central Europe strategic business division to Hogg Robinson plc of the United Kingdom. The European Competition Commission approves the sale in January 2004. Integration into Hogg Robinson is the ideal solution for BTI Central Europe, and will strengthen its position in the European business travel market over the long term.
2003
The acquisition of Vacances Fabuleuses, France's biggest operator of holidays to the USA, further bolsters Kuoni's position as a specialist in the high-quality segment.
Kuoni is named "World's Leading Tour Operator" for the sixth time in a row. As a further highlight to the awards in 2003, Clipper Cruise Line wins the 2003 World's Leading Small Ship Operator award.
Special Traffic is again voted the Netherlands' best specialist tour operator.
Kuoni Switzerland acquires Intens Travel AG, a specialist for programs to India.
Kuoni is granted ISO 14001 environmental certification in autumn of 2003, becoming the first tour operator to earn this distinction.
Innovation remains the key to Kuoni's Indian operations, as May sees the launch of the Kuoni Academy of Travel, a specialist school equipped with the very latest tools for training future tourism professionals.
2002
The prestigious title of World's Leading Tour Operator is bestowed upon the Kuoni Group for the fifth time in succession.
In addition, Intrav - the group's US subsidiary which specialises in exclusive private jet travel, cruises and luxury safari - wins the 2002 World's Leading Private Jet Tour Operator, as well as World's Leading Luxury Specialist Tour Operator awards.
Andreas Schmid is elected chairman of Kuoni Travel Holding Ltd. at the Annual General meeting of shareholders on May 15, 2002.
The Kuoni group acquires Allied Tours LLC of the USA from its parent company, Classic Vacation Group Inc., and as a result becomes number one in the US incoming market.
Reto Wilhelm joins the Kuoni Executive Board. He is appointed Head of SBU Europe effective March 1, 2002. The unit, which embraces the subsidiaries in France, Italy, Spain, Austria and the Netherlands, is currently led by Group CEO Hans Lerch on an interim basis.
2001
Special Traffic, the Dutch subsidiary of the Kuoni Group, acquires the Tour Operator Travel Keys B.V. operating in the market under the name of African Holidays. The long-haul operator specialises in travel to East Africa, as well as Southern Africa and the Republic of South Africa.
Following the successful introduction of the Green Planet Award, which is bestowed upon beach-holiday hotels located in the Mediterranean that are managed in an ecologically responsible manner, Kuoni extends the award to include overseas destinations as well.
Kuoni sells its 51% majority stake in N-U-R Neckermann in Austria.
A new Chief Executive Officer is appointed for the Scandinavian subsidiaries of the Kuoni Group. Since August 6, 2001, Fons Brusselmans heads the operations of the Scandinavian umbrella organisation located in Stockholm, which combines Alletiders, Apollo and Novair.
Kuoni Travel India acquires the Indian Incoming specialist Tour Club as of July 1, 2001. Tour Club provides incoming services to tourists travelling to India from the Middle East and Africa.
For the fourth time, Kuoni wins the World Travel Award of best Tour Operator.
Kuoni Switzerland launches a new brand: Reisen Netto - the first Swiss travel catalogue which lists prices that are truly net prices. Started in February, Reisen Netto is a direct sales brand and does not charge any extras.
As of January 2001, Kuoni owns 100% of the Apollo group, which is slated for a thorough reorganisation.
Following an open conflict with the majority of the Board of Directors, chairman Daniel Affolter steps down. The General Meeting of Shareholders is to elect a new chairman by May 2002 at the latest.
2000
Swiss charter airline Edelweiss Air successfully expands into long-haul operations with an Airbus A330-200.
In the US, Kuoni purchases T PRO of New York, the third-largest provider in the US Destination Management market.
In Scandinavia, Kuoni further strengthens its position by acquiring specialist tour operator Dane Tours.
In India, Kuoni acquires SITA Travel, a leading operator in business travel as well as Destination Management services. By merging the company with Kuoni India, Kuoni becomes the undisputed number one travel company in this market.
By taking a 12.5% equity holding in British television station TV Travelshop, Kuoni opens up another promising new distribution channel.
In Scandinavia, Kuoni buys 45% of Swedish tour operator Apollo Resor AB, Stockholm, establishing itself as the number three in the attractive Scandinavian market. Apollo operates in Denmark, Norway and Sweden and sells a large proportion of its products via the Internet.
1999
Kuoni Travel Holding Ltd. and First Choice Holidays PLC, a leading UK-based tour operator, announce their intention to merge and form a new company, Kuoni Holdings PLC.
However, due to the reluctance of first choice shareholders to trade their shares for shares of the new company, the project is lapsed in June.
Hans Lerch, previously Executive Vice-President Switzerland and Incoming, takes over as President and CEO of the Group.
In Switzerland, Kuoni and ITV (Imholz-TUI-Voegele), the third largest Swiss tour operator owned by the German travel giant TUI (Preussag), announce a close collaboration. Kuoni acquires a 49% minority holding in ITV.
Kuoni gains a foothold in the US tour operating market by acquiring the deluxe tour operator Intrav, based in St. Louis, Missouri. Intrav designs, markets and operates exclusive worldwide travel programmes by private aircraft and small-ships for an affluent clientele.
Kuoni wins the World Travel Award for the world's best tour operator.
1998
In Germany, Kuoni acquires the business travel specialist Euro Lloyd Reisebüro GmbH and merges it with its own business travel activities, creating the new company BTI Euro Lloyd, one of the five largest business travel operators in Germany.
In Italy, a joint venture between Kuoni Italy and Gastaldi Tours, a long-haul travel specialist in Genova, Italy, is established: Kuoni Gastaldi Tours.
In Denmark, Kuoni acquires three tour operators and merges them to Alletiders Rejser A/S - one of the leading tour operators in Denmark for short- and long-haul travel.
In Switzerland, Kuoni acquires Manta Reisen, specialising in tours to the Maldives and deep-sea diving holidays.
In the United Kingdom, Kuoni acquires Voyages Jules Verne, a direct sales specialist for upscale leisure travel in Europe and overseas.
Kuoni wins the World Travel Award for the world's best tour operator.
1997
Kuoni sets up a second joint venture with N-U-R Neckermann in Austria, Kuoni Reisen Veranstaltergeschäft AG, with Kuoni holding a 51% participation.
Kuoni and the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company (P&O) establish the 50:50 joint venture P&O Travel Ltd. in Hong Kong, with representative offices in Singapore and Bangkok.
1996
In Switzerland, Kuoni takes over CIS Club Intersport, a specialist for sports tours, and acquires the South African specialist Rotunda Tours. The Kuoni-owned charter airline Edelweiss Air begins operations.
In the Netherlands, Kuoni acquires the long-haul specialist Special Traffic.
In India, Kuoni acquires SOTC Holiday Tours Private Ltd. in Mumbay, India, later renamed Kuoni India.
In France, Kuoni takes over the specialised tour operators Voice SA. and Scanditours.
In Austria, Kuoni acquires an equity interest in "Restplatzbörse," an agency for last-minute ticket reservations.
1995
In Switzerland, Kuoni acquires Danzas Reisen AG, a business travel specialist which is integrated into Kuoni Reisen AG, and the retail chain Rewi Reisen AG. The charter airline Edelweiss Air, in which Kuoni holds a majority interest, is founded.
The Kuoni and Hugentobler-Foundation acquires the Kuoni block of shares formerly held by ITS/Kaufhof. The General Meeting of shareholders subsequently decides to simplify the capital structure and to transform "Kuoni Travel Ltd." into "Kuoni Travel Holding Ltd." Kuoni Switzerland and Incoming become an independent legal entity under the name of "Kuoni Reisen AG".
1994
Kuoni acquires a majority holding in Railtour Suisse SA.
1992
The German Kaufhof AG acquires a 50.1% majority holding in the share capital of Kuoni, but the Kuoni and Hugentobler-Foundation retains the majority of the voting power.
1990
In Austria, NUR Neckermann GmbH, a wholly owned subsidiary of Kuoni, is succeeded by N-U-R Neckermann Reisen AG, Vienna, with Neckermann Touristic GmbH, Frankfurt, taking a 49% stake in the new enterprise.
Kuoni acquires Privat Safaris, Switzerland's leading operator of tours to East Africa, and Reisebüro Popularis, a Swiss retailer and direct sales tour operator.
1987
Acquisition of Reisebüro NUR Neckermann Austria.
1986
Kuoni issues participation certificates.
1984
Kuoni acquires Discovery Bay Beach Hotel in Barbados.
1981
The Hawksbill Beach Hotel in Antigua is acquired.
1977
First charter tour around the world takes place.
1974
Kuoni establishes its own subsidiary in Greece and acquires Houlders World Holidays in England.
1973
Subsidiaries are established in Germany and Spain.
1972
Kuoni goes public.
1970
The company is renamed "Kuoni Travel Ltd." and a subsidiary is founded in Austria.
1965
Challis & Benson Ltd. is acquired, which later evolves into Kuoni Travel Ltd. (UK).
1963
A branch office is opened in Japan.
1957
The Kuoni and Hugentobler-Foundation is established.
1951
Kuoni brcomes Europe's first travel agency to operate charter flights to Africa.
1948
Expansion abroad continues with subsidiaries in Italy and France.
1925
Kuoni is turned into a family joint-stock company. Until the Second World War, several branch offices are opened in Switzerland, as well as an office in Nice (France).
1907
Kuoni organizes the first escorted group tour to Egypt.
1906
Alfred Kuoni, a Swiss citizen from Chur, opens a "Travel Bureau" in Zurich, Switzerland.