Following an announcement this morning from Kuoni Group that it has secured an agreement to sell its European tour operating businesses to DER Touristic, the travel division of REWE Group, UK managing director Derek Jones has welcomed the news and believes the Kuoni brand will continue to thrive in the UK market under new ownership.

The entire Kuoni UK Group is included in the sale, which includes the main Kuoni tour operating brand, its 34 Kuoni-branded travel shops and John Lewis concessions as well as specialist travel businesses Carrier, CV Villas, Kirker and Voyage Jules Verne.

Derek Jones, Managing Director, Kuoni UK said: “This is a really positive outcome for Kuoni UK.  Over the course of the last six months, as part of the process announced in January, the UK management team has had the opportunity to meet with REWE on a number of occasions.  We know that they share our ambition and we’re looking forward to working with them to further accelerate our growth.”

“These are really exciting times for all of the businesses in the Kuoni UK Group. We can now celebrate our 50th anniversary in the UK with an added spring in our step, knowing that we’re in good shape and good hands.”

“Personally, I’d like to thank the UK team and the travel trade for their amazing support throughout this process.  What could so easily have been a distraction has actually been a real driver of momentum for our business.  They will be delighted to learn that they will continue to be the trusted custodians of the Kuoni brand in the UK for the future.”