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Kuoni acquires Les Ateliers du Voyage
The Kuoni Group has acquired the French-based Les Ateliers du Voyage travel company, with immediate effect. Les Ateliers du Voyage offers individual travel products aimed at the higher price segment, and is excellently established in the French market. The acquisition marks a further step in Kuoni’s expansion in the premium and specialist segments.

Kuoni France has acquired all the shares in French-based travel company Les Ateliers du Voyage. Since its foundation by previous majority shareholder Bruno Ferret in 1986, Les Ateliers du Voyage has secured itself a firm position in the French market as a provider of tailored travel products. The company offers individual travel arrangements to Asia under the “Yoketai” brand, trips to Southern Africa under the “Grandeur Nature” banner, travel to Latin America under the name “Arroyo” and unusual tours for small groups under its “Ananta” brand.

Les Ateliers du Voyage is justly renowned for the outstanding quality of its entire product portfolio. The company’s unique luxury travel arrangements meet all the wishes and expectations of the most discerning of customers. Since March 2006, Les Ateliers du Voyage has also maintained a 700-square-metre sales outlet in Paris’s elegant 7th Quarter, where customers can obtain top personal travel advice in exotic surrounds.

Les Ateliers du Voyage distributes its products primarily via direct sales channels and through a selection of independent travel agencies. The company currently employs 15 personnel and generated turnover of EUR 13 million (CHF 21 million) last year. The parties agreed not to divulge the purchase price involved.

Kuoni intends to retain the various Les Ateliers du Voyage brands, which are already well established and successful in the French market. The company’s present director and his team will also continue to develop the product portfolio and ensure its further success.

In organisational terms, Les Ateliers du Voyage will be operated as an autonomous unit within Kuoni France, which is led by Emmanuel Foiry. The new acquisition fits perfectly into Division Style, which is headed by Reto Wilhelm. Michael Verikios - Thursday, July 26, 2007