Kuoni UK to keep its identity following sale
Kuoni UK employees have been reassured that it will keep its individual identity as its sale to DER Touristik Group was finalised.
A statement said that the acquisition announced by the REWE Group, whose travel division is DER Touristik, on June 22, had now been completed.
But Soren Hartmann, CEO of DER Touristik Group rejected the idea of merging national entities into a single company, saying that the national brands will continue to operate.
"Travel requirements are as individual as the people who travel. That’s why we believe in diversity," he said.
"We will create a European affiliation of very strong tourism companies. Sales and tour operators – as well as the specialist brands – will remain national.
"If you want to meet individual travel requirements, you have to be close to the customer," Hartmann added.
Derek Jones, managing director, Kuoni UK said: "This morning we have briefed our staff and our business partners that we are now officially part of the DER Touristik Group.
"Being part of this dynamic European travel group brings the best of worlds; the security and support which comes with being part of a highly-successful company together with the trust to run our businesses in the UK independently.
"We are all looking forward to sharing ideas and learning from our new colleagues. I know I speak on behalf of everyone at Kuoni UK when I say that there is a real optimism and excitement about our future as part of DER Touristik."
The sale covered all Kuoni tour operators, specialists, travel agencies and online portals in Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Benelux as well as Scandinavia/Finland – where it also includes the airline Novair and the Playitas sports resort in Fuerteventura.
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