How did Kuoni Switzerland perform in the third-quarter of 2008?
The turnaround achieved at SBU Switzerland in the first half of 2008 was further confirmed by the unit’s third-quarter results: the CHF 349 million turnover was a 9.4% improvement on the CHF 319 million of the same quarter last year. The successful repositioning of the Helvetic Tours inclusive-tour brand and the acquisition of Direkt Reisen both made substantial contributions to the higher turnover volume.
How did the EBIT develop?
EBIT was also tangibly improved, from CHF 22.0 million to CHF 31.5 million.
Has Kuoni Switzerland made any acquisitions in 2008?
Kuoni Switzerland acquired a 60% shareholding in Direkt Reisen AG, domiciled near Zurich, Switzerland. The company is one of Switzerland’s leading direct sellers of inclusive-tour products. This market has especially in Switzerland, where Kuoni is active in the broad package holidays market, growth potential. This acquisition strengthens corresponding activities. Furthermore, Unique Travel, a specialist and market leader in leisure travel arrangements to Slovenia, Croatia and Montenegro as well as Dorado Reisen with its Pink Cloud Travel Service; a company specialized in Switzerland in travels for the gay community, belong now to Kuoni in Switzerland.
What destinations are currently particularly popular with Kuoni Switzerland’s customers?
On the short-haul front, Egypt, Greece, Cyprus, Tunisia and the Canary Islands have been proving popular. In the long-haul segment the Maldives, Thailand, Australia/Oceania and the Caribbean are all experiencing strong demand. The USA was able to benefit from the weak dollar.
Since 1 November 2008, Edelweiss Air now belongs to Swiss. What are the consequences for Kuoni clients?
This sale has no consequences for Kuoni clients. The partnership with Swiss brings along real cost savings and a better occupancy rate of the airplanes. Kuoni customers benefit from this, too.
Who designed the Kuoni Flagship Store in Zurich and what is special about this travel “boutique“?
Well-known Swiss architect Andrin Schweizer created the Kuoni Flagship Store located on the ground floor and the Kuoni Concierge office on the upper floor at Bellevue in Zurich, Switzerland. In the process, high-end materials such as wood, sandstone, leather and bronze have been used. Noble materials that reflect Kuoni’s brand values and harmonize with the lifestyle of a demanding and quality-conscious clientele. Thus, these new travel offices have emerged on a total area of 500 square metres (Flagship Store and Kuoni Concierge office) at a premier address in one of the most beautiful historical buildings in Zurich. The subtle light, colour, and scent concepts along with the precious art objects in wall niches of leather and bronze – designed particularly for this purpose – already provide the customers with a unique experience; even before their trip.