History
Kuoni has become the leader in the UK longhaul holiday market. In addition to our core tour operation, we run several independent business units for specialist activities (see annual report).
2006 - Kuoni’s centenary year starts with the launch of a new
ground-breaking internet tailor-made holiday service. Kuoni once
more wins the prized Travel Weekly ‘Best Longhaul Tour Operator’
award, as well as ‘Best Travel Trade Website’, along with ‘Britain’s
Favourite Longhaul Tour Operator’ from the Daily Mail.
2005 - In spite of the challenges of the tsunami, international
tensions and a difficult hurricane season, Kuoni continues its
tradition of innovation with the launch of its Kuoni Specialist
Collection, a selection of dedicated brochures offering more choice
than ever before to Dubai, Morocco, Switzerland, America,
Australasia and Italy. Armin Meier takes over position of Group CEO
of Kuoni and Peter Diethelm retires after 40 years. More awards -
18 in total throughout the year - including the Sunday Times Travel
Magazine for the third consecutive year, Best Customer Service from
TTG, World Travel Awards’ Best Tour Operator for the eighth year
running and Selling Longhaul Best Longhaul Tour Operator.
2004 - Kuoni introduced first-ever Families brochure and Italy brochure. Launch of first-ever trip crossing Africa north to south - an epic 'Cairo to Cape' journey as part of Kuoni's planned centenary celebrations for 2006, from which all profits will be donated to charity. A bumper year for awards including the Sunday Times Travel Magazine Best Travel Company Award for the second year, World Travel Award's Best Tour Operator, Travel Weekly's Best Longhaul Operator and Best Travel Website and TTG's Best Longhaul Operator, Best Brochure and Sue Biggs 'Travel Personality of the Year'.
2003 - New computer innovations allow instant access to thousands more air seats in every class. New level of partnership with British Airways and new brochure to Egypt mean a busy start to the New Year. Kuoni wins Travel Weekly’s ‘Best Longhaul Tour Operator’ award for the 21st consecutive year, and 'Best Travel Website' for the first time.
2002 - Kuoni launches World Class European Cities and new concept lifestyle section on the website where holidays are chosen by activity rather than destination. Longhaul College introduces the Diploma Programme to provide industry recognition, award and qualification for Longhaul Travel Consultants.
2001 - www.kuoni.co.uk Phase II is launched in January. The most comprehensive tour operator site in the country for travel agents and consumers, it offers unequalled flexibility, choice and information on line to create individual tailormade holidays. 35 years after Peter Diethelm established the tour operation for Kuoni UK, he hands over the management of the company to Sue Biggs who herself has been with Kuoni for 20 years. Sue joins the Group Management Board in Zurich and Peter Diethelm remains Executive Chairman for Kuoni in the UK.
2000 - The new millennium starts with a flurry of activity. More innovation as Kuoni takes a stake in TV Travel Shop to be one step ahead of the rest, to distribute holidays visually via TV and be ready for forthcoming interactive technology, this stake has since been sold. Kuoni wins ‘World’s Best Tour Operator’ at the World Travel Awards for the third year in a row. World Class is launched, a new programme for the ultimate in luxury holidays.
1999 - An American presence is established with Kuoni's acquisition of US Tour Operator Intrav. The Missouri based company offers deluxe travel adventures around the globe, including cruises. Intrav subsidiary, Clipper Cruise Line own and operate four vessels and has been named one of the top-ten cruise lines in the world for four consecutive years, 1995-1998 by readers of Condé Nast Traveler magazine in America. In October 1999 Sue Biggs, who joined the company in 1982 is promoted to managing director for tour operations and Peter Diethelm becomes executive chairman of Kuoni UK and Intrav/Clipper Cruises in the USA.
1998 - Kuoni acquires Voyages Jules Verne adding to the niche market specialists already part of the Kuoni Group.
1997 - More innovation came with 50 extra sales staff recruited to join our existing sales team to form a high tech multi skilled Call Centre to cope with ever-increasing demand.
1996 - Another excellent year for awards. Kuoni accepted for the 15th consecutive year the award for "Britain's Best Longhaul Tour Operator". Similar recognition came from the Scottish Passenger Agents Association and from Ireland. Additionally the Pacific Area Travel Association presented Kuoni with their Marketing Award.
1995 - Kuoni launch an innovative Late Availability Search to their Kudos Viewdata system. The system automatically monitors changes to availability on 5000 selected flights in Galileo, the scheduled airlines computer reservations system. Believed to be the only system of its kind, it will assist travel agents to swiftly convert the increased number of late enquiries to firm bookings.
1994 - Kuoni wins the award for the Best Travel Promotion for the Kuoni Longhaul College.
1993 - Kuoni Dorking's revolutionary computer system has been installed in Kuoni Italy, Spain and France in order to give sister companies the same flexibility to offer tailormade holidays at package prices
1992 - Kuoni is the first and only travel organisation to win 'the best longhaul tour operator' award for 10 years. Introduction of a fully automated transparent link from Kuoni's computer reservation system to Galileo, providing the ultimate flexibility to customise holidays and use last seat availability. Kuoni wins the Daily Telegraph Award for "Best Exotic Holidays" for second year running.
1991 - Kuoni launches the first dedicated programme for holidays to Australia.
Kuoni wins the Daily Express Award for "The Most Caring Tour Operator".
1990 - Kuoni purchase freehold of Deepdene House - now renamed Kuoni House. For the first time in 10 years the entire tour operation side of the company is under one roof.
1988 - Introduction of first (and only year-round) charter series to Acapulco.
Development, successful testing and launch of KUDOS Viewdata Reservations System for travel agents. This was the first system which offered travel agents a considerable degree of flexibility (i.e. not simply a 2-week stay in one hotel).
1987 - Kuoni operates the first commercial Round the World charters by Concorde. Introduction of first ever charter series from London to the Maldives.
1986 - Kuoni introduce "Limited Editions" a brochure designed to take advantage of short-term, low priced airline and hotel availability. The first charter series to Luxor in Upper Egypt is introduced.
1984 - Kuoni operates the first of a series of chartered Concorde flights to the Caribbean.
1983 - Kuoni introduced its first programme of winter ski holidays to Switzerland following the success of its Swiss Summer programme.
1981 - Kuoni purchased Kuoni House, adjoining its present Headquarters near Dorking and introduced its first comprehensive programme of summer holidays to Switzerland.
1980 - Kuoni installed the IBM computerised reservations system in Dorking headquarters. A new programme of low cost longhaul holidays (Kuoni 3) was introduced.
1979 - the first separate comprehensive programme of holidays to the USA.
1976 - Kuoni operates the first ever charter flights by British United VC-10 from Gatwick to Rio de Janeiro and thus opens Brazil to the British holidaymakers.
1974 - Kuoni took over Houlders World Holidays, its main competitor, strong in Caribbean and African destinations while Kuoni was leading in the Far East, Kuoni issued its first comprehensive longhaul tour programme and operated from the former Houlders' base in Dorking leaving the London office to handle incoming tourism and business travel as well as international tradefairs and exhibitions.
1972 - Kuoni extends its range of holidays and operates BOAC-VC10 charter flights to Sri Lanka (Ceylon) and Thailand.
1970 - Kuoni took 2000 UK visitors to the Expo 70 exhibition in Japan, and introduced the first holiday charter flight to the Far East.
1969 - Kuoni operates the first ever charter flight from Gatwick to Mombasa offering affordable safari and beach holidays
1966 - Peter Diethelm, current Chairman, transferred from Switzerland to London and established the Kuoni UK tour operation.
1965 - Kuoni purchases Challis and Benson, an established travel agency based in London's Bond Street.
