A&K says Kuoni deal ‘won’t alienate clients’

Thursday, 04 Jul, 2003 0

TravelMole brings you more about the Kuoni and Abercrombie and Kent merger story, with an exclusive report by Jeremy Skidmore

Long-haul giant Kuoni is considering a takeover of Abercrombie and Kent after increasing co-operation between the two companies.

Recent world events, including the SARS outbreak and global terrorism, have had a damaging effect on the long haul market and Abercrombie and Kent is thought to be warming to the idea of becoming part of a bigger group.

Abercrombie and Kent, which carries under 10,000 passengers a year, has a reputation as a quality tour operator, but reported a loss of £28,000 in 2002 on a turnover of £19.4m. In 2001 it made a profit of £184,000 on a turnover of £20.4m.

Kuoni, which carries over 300,000 passengers a year, will feature Abercrombie and Kent properties in Kenya and Egypt for the first time in its World Class brochure due out on July 11 and the two companies are talking about further cementing their links.

Abercrombie and Kent managing director Ian Coghlan has close links with Kuoni – he spent 17 years at the operator before taking up his current post last September.

“There is now greater co-operation between us and everyone has been affected by the drop in long haul bookings,” said Coghlan.

“As far as a takeover is concerned I can’t rule anything out. There are no firm deals or concrete proposals as yet, but who knows what will happen in the future.”

Coghlan has been working on a plan to modernise Abercrombie and Kent and update its image.

Despite its solid reputation, Coghlan admitted that it had a “stuffy image”.

“In the past it has been seen as expensive and stuffy and we need to move away from that,” he said.

“I think we can do that without alienating our current clients.”

Abercrombie and Kent is relocating its 65 staff from London to Cheltenham at the end of July and Coghlan said he expected 75% of the staff to make the switch.

Kuoni declined to comment on whether it would be taking over Abercrombie and Kent.

Read Jeremy’s comment on this story.