Kuoni boss hails 'new era' for tour op after office move

The base has officially been named Touristik House and will house all 241 UK-based Der Touristik staff.

It will also serve as the main training and development base for Kuoni’s retail team and travel agent partners.

Sister brands such as Kirker Holidays, Jules Verne and Carrier will continue to operate independently of the main DER Touristik setup.

Derek Jones, chief executive of Der Touristik UK, hailed the move the start of a “new era” for the group.

“We’ve designed the new office to be a fun, dynamic and inspiring space to work, learn and develop,” he said.

“The group is ambitious and committed to expanding its UK business. We’ve created a space that reflects that ambition; we have growth in mind as we look to the future.

“Our mission from the outset was to involve our team in the move and incorporate some of their ideas into the new designs. We had some great practical suggestions – and an equal measure of wild and wonderful requests.”

The reception is adorned with a brightly coloured tuk-tuk and the walls daubed in colourful graffiti, all seeking to create an “inspiring and creative” atmosphere for staff.

Other features include timber walls, red telephone boxes, a new cafe and deli bar complete with pool table and a central courtyard that can be used for outdoor events and meetings.

The move keeps the Kuoni name in Dorking, having occupied its previous office site in Deepdene Avenue since 1974.

Last year, the new building was beset by hundreds of revellers, who occupied the site and allegedly held what neighbours described as an “illegal rave”.

After discovering minimal damage following quite police intervention, Jones saw the funny side, tweeting: “Lovely to see hundreds of local teenagers organising a party to welcome #Kuoni to our new HQ in #Dorking!”