Kuoni Acquires Swiss Tour Operator Unique Travel

The Kuoni Group has continued its acquisition strategy in the specialist-travel sector by acquiring Swiss-based tour operator Unique Travel GmbH for an undisclosed amount. Unique Travel specialises in holidays to Croatia, Slovenia and Montenegro.

Unique Travel, which is based in Zurich, was founded in 1995 by its previous owners Christine Benguerel and Marco Wipfli. Kuoni’s new acquisition is now the largest Swiss tour operator for the eastern Adriatic, offering traditional beach holidays and city breaks, as well as cruises, active sailing holidays, island hopping, bike tours, guided tours, country houses and private apartments. It also recently added holidays in Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina to its programme. 

Unique Travel generated turnover of around CHF 5 million in 2007 with a total of eight employees, all of which are to be retained by Kuoni holidays. The Unique Travel brand will also be retained and current CEO Marco Wipfli will remain in overall charge of the company and its activities. Kuoni completed a series of acquisitions in 2007, including French-based travel company Les Ateliers du Voyage, which offers high priced travel products, UK based villa and ski chalet specialist CV Travel and also became a majority stakeholder in UTE Megapolus, the Russian based tour operator specialising in high-quality leisure travel.