September 2011

Kuoni Travel (India) Pvt. Ltd and Abacus International, Asia’s leading provider of travel solutions and services, today announced a strategic partnership further accelerating Abacus rise as India’s premium GDS (Global Distribution Network).

Kuoni will leverage the full suite of Abacus solutions including Abacus WorkSpace and Abacus PowerSuite as well as benefit from access to it’s business process and strategy consulting practice.

Speaking on the partnership Rajiv Duggal, Managing Director Kuoni India said, “Abacus is in the fore front in bringing next generation products, technologies and services to the Indian agency community. As a market leader Kuoni India focuses on new technologies and products that can further propel our growth and leadership. We have been impressed by Abacus’ next generation point of sale system, it’s portfolio of mobile solutions, and it’s mid and back office suite. Abacus solutions will enable Kuoni India to deliver a differentiated customer experience for our travellers as well as drive material increases in business productivity.”

“Abacus is proud to establish a relationship with a market leader like Kuoni India”, said Mr Brett Henry, Vice President India, Abacus International. “The Kuoni leadership team places high value on innovation, and product and technology leadership and it’s a great endorsement to be selected as their preferred product and technology partner. “Our position is to be the premium provider in the marketplace. We are really out to do something different – challenging the status quo!”

August 2011

Kuoni India was felicitated with the Best Outbound Tour Operator Award at the prestigious Today’s Traveller Award 2011 on August 23, 2011 at the Taj Palace Hotel, New Delhi. The award was presented by Shri Subodh Kant Sahai, Hon’ble Union Minister of Tourism to Rajiv Duggal, Managing Director, Kuoni India. The event unfolded with the release of the Coffee Table Book, Today’s Traveller—In Pursuit of Excellence The Today’s Traveller Awards, incorporated in 2007, recognise exceptional achievers and contributors who have inspired all the players in the travel and tourism industry and serve as examples for others to follow in different segments of the Indian travel industry.

On receiving this honour, Rajiv Duggal, Managing Director Kuoni India said, “We are extremely delighted to be honoured with the prestigious Today’s Traveller Award for our contribution to the outbound tourism in India. We attribute this success to our commitment and conviction to constantly reinvent ourselves and strive for excellence.”

The Today’s Traveller Award 2011 ceremony was celebrated with the 14th Anniversary of Gill publication’s flagship magazine Today’s Traveller. The esteemed awards were conferred across 33 categories.

August 2011

Kuoni India was felicitated with the Award for Innovation in Operations (Travel/ Tour Operators) category at the prestigious GMR Express TravelWorld Awards 2011 on July 27 at the Taj Palace Hotel, New Delhi.

Kuoni India was conferred with this honour for the high quality and exceptional standard of the entry submitted. The award was presented by Shri Subodh Kant Sahai, Hon’ble Union Minister of Tourism to Rajiv Duggal, Managing Director, Kuoni India.

The winner for this category was selected by a panel of esteemed, non-partisan jury having exceptional domain knowledge. Kuoni India’s nomination was evaluated based on:

On receiving this accolade, Rajiv Duggal, Managing Director Kuoni India said, “We are extremely honoured to be felicitated with the prestigious GMR Express Travel World Award for our contribution to the travel industry. This success has been possible because of Kuoni India’s commitment towards innovation and excellence. The award serves as an inspiration to introduce innovative strategies and achieve new milestones.”

The GMR Express TravelWorld Awards are regarded as the travel and hospitality industry's most respected travel awards. The awards, presently in their 8th year, were conferred across 17 categories.

June 2011

Kuoni India was felicitated with the Award of Excellence for the category Best International Tour Operator at the prestigious Kuala Lumpur Mayor’s Tourism Award 2011 at Shangri-La Hotel Kuala Lumpur on June 21, 2011.

Kuoni India is the only Tour Operator in India to be conferred with this honour. The winner for this category was selected based on Marketing Effort To Promote KL, Number of room night produced in 4-star and 5-star hotels, Creativity of the package, Production to KL and Future plans for Kuala Lumpur.

Frederick Divecha Sr. VP Business Development Marketing Kuoni India received the award on behalf of Kuoni India from Dato’ Raja Nong Chik Bin Dato’ Raja Zainal Abidin, Minister of Federal Territories & Urban Wellbeing.

Speaking about this achievement Rajiv Duggal, MD Kuoni India said, “We are extremely honoured to be felicitated with the prestigious Kuala Lumpur Mayor’s Tourism Award. It is indeed an achievement, to be recognised for our efforts to promote Kuala Lumpur as a preferred tourism destination and our commitment to strive for excellence. This award serves as an inspiration for us to promote Kuala Lumpur through various innovative strategies.”

These awards were launched for the first time this year by the Mayor of Kuala Lumpur to recognise establishments and individuals that make Kuala Lumpur an International tourism destination of choice.

Kuala Lumpur Mayor’s Tourism Awards identify, recognise and reward excellence achieved in making Kuala Lumpur a preferred destination among tourists. The winners of this award are regarded as benchmark of eminence for all in the industry to strive to achieve. Kuala Lumpur Mayor’s Tourism Awards are conferred across nine categories. The eligible entries in each category are judged through points awarded by the panel of judges and public voting. Members of the judging panel are made up of experts and stringent judging criteria are followed for each award.

May 2011

In line with the continuing strategy of strengthening Kuoni India and the VFS Global management to enhance business operations a dedicated management team for the two businesses has been set-up. Further reinforcing the company’s leadership position and in keeping with the overall growth of Kuoni India, Zubin Karkaria, CEO and Managing Director of Kuoni India, will now be focused on his role as the CEO and Managing Director of VFS Global, and Rajiv Duggal will take-over from him as the Managing Director of Kuoni India effective May 1, 2011. Simultaneously Zubin has been appointed as the Non-executive Chairman of Kuoni India and will continue to play a role in the strategic decision making process of the company.

Kuoni India being India’s leading Travel Company and offering all the travel-related services with the best innovations, the change in the key management of the company is a positive move towards the company’s success.

Rajiv Duggal, a travel industry veteran, has had a long and distinguished career spanning over 19 years in the Travel, Hospitality and Retail industries in India and South East Asia. Having started his career in 1991 as a Manager of a hotel in Delhi he has handled variety of managerial roles across the three industries and is currently the COO of TUI India, before which he was the CEO of Select Citywalk, part of the Select Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd., one of Delhi’s most successful new malls, leading a team of 800 staff. Rajiv was with Kuoni India from 2001 to 2005 – spending the last year as the Sr. Vice President of the Tour Operating Division – after which he was appointed as the CEO India and South East Asia of Destinations of the World Pvt. Ltd. until 2008.

In his new role Rajiv will be responsible for managing and growing Kuoni India’s business interests across the Tour Operating, Business Travel and Travel & Hospitality Education spaces. With leadership qualities, methodical skills and a sound reputation for managing people well and developing dynamic business leaders for tomorrow he will be able to lead the company to even greater heights in the years to come.

Kuoni India was felicitated with the prestigious 2011 Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Gold Award for the third consecutive year in the Marketing – Industry category for the entry ‘Perfect Moments.’ The jury members were impressed with the high quality and exceptional standard of the entry submitted. Luzi Matzig, CEO, Asian Trails received the 2011 PATA Gold Award on behalf of Kuoni India.

Kashmira Commissariat Chief Operating Officer Tour Operating Kuoni India said, “It is indeed a significant achievement to be honoured with this prestigious accolade. This award is recognition of our commitment to strive for excellence and create distinct holiday experience for travellers. This award serves as an inspiration for us to go forward and achieve new heights.”

PATA Gold Awards honour exceptional endeavours and achievements to promote travel and tourism across the Asia Pacific region. This year’s awards attracted 223-entries from 102-organisations and individuals worldwide.

April 2011

Kuoni India was felicitated with the prestigious 2011 Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Gold Award for the third consecutive year in the Marketing – Industry category for the entry ‘Perfect Moments.’ The jury members were impressed with the high quality and exceptional standard of the entry submitted. Luzi Matzig, CEO, Asian Trails received the 2011 PATA Gold Award on behalf of Kuoni India.

As part of Kuoni’s 5 days Soft Adventure in Singapore the traveler would experience various exciting adventure sports. These include:

Kashmira Commissariat Chief Operating Officer Tour Operating Kuoni India said, “It is indeed a significant achievement to be honoured with this prestigious accolade. This award is recognition of our commitment to strive for excellence and create distinct holiday experience for travellers. This award serves as an inspiration for us to go forward and achieve new heights.”

PATA Gold Awards honour exceptional endeavours and achievements to promote travel and tourism across the Asia Pacific region. This year’s awards attracted 223-entries from 102-organisations and individuals worldwide.

March 2011

Kuoni, India’s only luxury travel brand has announced the launch of exotic holidays in castles, palaces and villas in breathtakingly beautiful locales of Ireland, Switzerland and Greece. These holidays are designed to indulge in flamboyance suited for royalty and infused with a mix of modern facilities.

A castle holiday to Dromoland Castle- Galway Ireland, a magnificent example of Renaissance architecture, starts from Euro 1620 for 5 nights. Accommodation at Beau-Rivage Palace, Switzerland’s most prestigious palace hotel, could be experienced at a starting price of Euro 2380. The most exclusive beach resort in Greece, Elounda Peninsula, offering an exotic villa experience is offered at a starting price of Euro 2085 for 5 nights.

As part of these holidays Kuoni recommends experiences that include Swedish massage at Dromoland Castle, gourmet cruises aboard Le Montreux at Beau-Rivage Palace and Mirambello cruise at Elounda Peninsula Villa.

Kuoni’s holidays offers a range of Castles, Palaces and Villa stays. These include castles in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Düsseldorf, palace hotels in Paris, Interlaken, Lucerne, Rome, Vienna and Madrid and villas in Tuscany Region, Amalfi Coast and Barcelona. The experience in every castle, palace hotel and villa is unique and significant.

Speaking on introducing this luxurious offering Kashmira Commissariat COO Outbound Division Kuoni India said “The Indian traveller has evolved, and now seeks experiential holidays, a segment that will drive the Indian tourism industry in the future. With castles, palaces and villas holiday, we seek to provide luxury travel segment an opportunity to indulge in extravagance at these stunning locales. These holidays offer a personalized and lavish experience designed exclusively for Kuoni clients.”

March 2011

Kuoni India announced the launch of the Kuoni Holiday Report 2011 as part of the company’s initiative and strategy in coming closer to its customers as well as understanding their deep seated wants and needs from a holiday. The report provides key insights into the psychology and behaviour of an Indian traveller before, during and after the holiday. Eating more junk foods, drinking more, “dressing to impress”, soaking up beautiful sights and spending more money are some of the key activities that perk up the Indian travellers’ mood.

The report discovers important highlights with regard to eating and spending habits, manners and etiquette, physical appearance and emotional behaviour, and of course, holiday romance and friendships. How do Indians prepare for a holiday? Do we change our culinary habits “abroad”? Or will the future “holiday dream” be flying to the moon? Kuoni’s Holiday Report 2011 reveals some sizzling facts: Women buy new clothes before a holiday (65%), men long for adventure and excitement (41%), and Indians rank themselves as top flirts (37%) - and generally we shed our inhibitions when “abroad”.

Despite the regional variations highlighted throughout the report – more than half the people from Chennai wear clothes that remind them of their holiday when they return home (51%), people from Kolkata are most likely to drink more on holiday (20%) – what unifies the research is how different Indians behave when away from home. Evading all the barriers of day-to-day life, regular persona and stresses, Indian holidaymakers divulge a complete new “visage” while they are in holiday mood.

Kuoni’s Holiday Report 2011 asked 1011 Indian holidaymakers from the ages of 25-65 to give overall and in-depth insights about their holiday behaviour. Kuoni commissioned Opinion Matters to carry out independent research in November 2010 with a representative panel that goes on a holiday abroad at least once every year. Such surveys shall assist Kuoni in coming closer to its customers as well as understanding their deep seated wants and needs from a holiday.

Some report highlights include:

• Indian women take charge when it comes to pre-holiday preparations – from itinerary to “pampering” themselves - leaving less to do for men. Around 65% of women buy new clothes while 34% spent time exercising and 29% dieting.

• Indians pay also great attention to their attire. They are very conscious about their appearance, especially when it comes to presenting themselves to the outside world. We rank ourselves at the top fashionable nationality on holiday (64%). More than a quarter of women admit to dressing more fashionably during the day (26%) and 26% of men admit to dressing more provocatively.

• A break from the disrupted work-life balance increases the urge to escape for a few days. Around 69% of women crave rest and relaxation during a holiday, while 41% of men prefer adventure and excitement.

• Indians “just want to have fun” when away: 72% say that this is the top holiday experience they are looking for.

• Indian women feel particularly “free” on holiday. This includes wearing different types of clothes (43% vs 33%), spending more money (42% vs 29%) or trying different food and drink (45% vs 35%).

• Indians rank themselves as top holiday flirts (37%). More than a third (32%) of Indians hope for some holiday romance and those aged 25-35 are most likely (34%) to feel this way.

• Almost a quarter of people eat fast food during their trip (23%): more than three in ten women (32%) do this, along with a quarter of those aged 25-34 and 26% of couples without children.

• Future Holiday Trends: Indians want sustainable but stylish “future holiday”. 24% think that going to the moon will be important in ten years time, 37% think that pure luxury will be important and 34% prioritise eco-tourism.

· People from Mumbai are most likely to disapprove of topless sunbathing or limited beachwear (23%).

These and many more interesting facts and Indian holiday behaviour secrets have been unveiled for the first time by Kuoni. A Global Report where Kuoni asked over 12000 people across the globe about their holiday behaviour will be released in March 2011.

Zubin Karkaria MD & CEO Kuoni India said, “Kuoni India has always been at the forefront of introducing travel trends in the Indian market. Kuoni’s Holiday Report 2011 showcases interesting insights about the behaviour of the Indian traveller. The report is an ideal way to understanding the Indian holidaymakers. The results proved that we do loose inhibitions when we are away from home. Thus, Indians are not looking for only a holiday; they’re searching for new encounters and even newer locations and look for rich experiences that both cultures and sights in foreign countries can bring. They want to be the first to discover and first to talk about their discoveries. The report is beyond just statistics and focuses on a more personal and searching nature to understand the psychology and behaviour of what actually happens before, on and after a holiday.”

February 2011

Kuoni India has announced the launch of the new Head Office located in Lower Parel, the heart of the renowned business arena in the financial capital. The office was inaugurated by Peter Rothwell Chief Executive Officer Kuoni Group, Stefan Leser Executive Vice-President Southern Region & Chief Executive Officer Kuoni Switzerland and Zubin Karkaria CEO & MD, Kuoni India on February 03, 2011.

Kuoni has evolved into a successful and the most preferred and reliable travel company since the time of its establishment. With the inauguration of the new Head Office Kuoni India achieves another milestone and starts a new journey. Strategically located between Nariman Point/ Colaba and Bandra-Kurla Complex/ Airport it is easily accessible from all parts of Mumbai.

Being an employee friendly workplace with all the amenities this is one of the most exceptional achievements by Kuoni India. The office is intricately designed and decorated to highlight the luxury of tourism. For creating the perfect working environment this is an important step in making the workplace more work friendly, comfortable and enjoyable than ever before. These different elements work together for creating a work environment that is favorable in creating the perfect holidays for the customers.

January 2011

Kuoni Travel Group, India was felicitated with the 4th Loyalty Award for Customer & Brand Loyalty in the Travel & Hospitality Sector. Mr. Nik Laming, SVP - Asia Pacific & MD, Singapore/ Malaysia/India, Carlson Marketing and Mr. Chen Peng, Business Director, Carlson Marketing Worldwide presented the award to Mr. Parveen Jiterwal, Head Marketing Kuoni India.

The other nominees in this segment included Thomas Cook India Ltd, Cox & Kings India Ltd, Kesari Tours Pvt. Ltd, ITC – Welcome Group, Taj Group of hotels, JW Marriott, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts.

4th Loyalty Award is a part of the 4th Loyalty Summit and is one of the prestigious award accolades for consumer hospitality industry. These awards are the outcome of the consumer research undertaken in six cities all across India with a sample of 25,000 consumers aided by Nominations received from organisations. The Nielsen Company is accredited with the Research for the Awards Nominees & the Winners.