The Daily Telegraph - Saturday - Travel
Kuoni luxury now closer to home
Luxury long-haul tour operator Kuoni is adding UK and Ireland breaks to its roster for the first time in its history as it anticipates a surge in demand for domestic holidays for this year and next.
As international travel restrictions look set to remain in place until late June, the travel firm aims to capitalise on a renewed interest in travel closer to home, swapping island-hopping in the Indian Ocean for trips to Scotland, England,
Wales and Ireland.
Itineraries on offer from this week include Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way, the Gower Peninsula in Wales and rural Northumberland.
Derek Jones, chief executive of Kuoni, founded in Switzerland in
1906, said: “We are famed for planning special trips to beautiful places around the world but we think there are many equally stunning places to discover closer to home as well.
“The coronavirus crisis has played havoc with people’s travel plans so we wanted to create quality, premium trips throughout the UK and Ireland which blend local culture, adventure and exploration with luxury style.”
The operator has teamed up with UK specialist McKinlay Kidd to help develop the trips. Co-founder Heather McKinlay said the white-sand beaches of the Outer Hebrides can do a good impression of the Caribbean. “Lots of people know Kuoni for its beautiful beach escapes and we want to surprise people with what is on their doorstep,” she said.
This week small group specialist Jules Verne announced the addition of four new UK and Ireland itineraries to its books, including an eight-night cruise of the British Isles.
Managing director Francis Torrilla said: “Jules Verne is responding to feedback from our clients, some of whom have already travelled domestically with us before and are keen to do so again, while others have expressed a preference to stay closer to home next year.”