As part of its expansion strategy within the premium and specialist leisure travel segments the Kuoni Group acquired UK-based CV Travel. CV Travel is a well-established specialist tour operator  providing luxury villas and ski chalet holidays for discerning customers in the UK travel market.

Effective July 1, 2007 Kuoni UK acquires CV Travel from John Boyle, a leading travel industry entrepreneur, who is best known as the founder of Direct Holidays and Zoom Airlines. Established in 1972, CV Travel is extremely well positioned in the UK premium leisure travel segment.

The company originally specialised in renting private villas in Corfu, but has since expanded successfully into many other areas. Under the “CV” brand, exclusive luxury private villas are offered throughout Europe with a key focus on Greece, France and Italy. A choice of long-haul destinations such as Morocco, Oman and the Caribbean have more recently been added to its portfolio. First class private villas are offered by “Owners’ Syndicate” where the emphasis is more on long-haul, particularly the Caribbean. “Ski Verbier” offers top quality hotels and the ultimate in Swiss luxury ski chalets in Verbier, each with professional staff who deliver exceptional levels of service, and often with their own chefs fresh from the UK’s top restaurants.

The company’s products are sold primarily direct to the public and with some independent travel agents, generating a total turnover of around CHF 35 million (£ 14.7 million) last year, with a current workforce of 40 employees. The parties agreed not to divulge the purchase price involved.

Kuoni intends to maintain the successful CV brands, which are well respected in the UK travel market. The present management team and staff will be retained to further develop the company and its products and help ensure their ongoing success and growth. In organisational terms, CV Travel will remain an independent unit as part of the Kuoni UK group of companies.

“We are delighted to welcome the three excellent brands of CV Travel – Ski Verbier, Owners’ Syndicate and CV – into the Kuoni family. They make a great addition to our UK portfolio,” says Armin Meier, CEO of the Kuoni Group.

Sue Biggs, Managing Director Kuoni UK, continues: “CV Travel is an aspirational brand that offers the very best in luxury travel. In addition, its strength in the independent villa market, particularly in Europe, adds welcome depth to Kuoni UK’s mix of specialist companies and products.”