Kuoni parent to refocus on product exclusivity and digital
James ChappleKuoni’s German parent Der Touristik has announced its new executive board, effective from 1 January 2023, and pledged to place fresh emphasis on digital transformation and product exclusivity, as well as closer collaboration between its different regions.
Chief executive northern Europe Leif Vase Larsen becomes chief executive international, with responsibility for Der Touristik’s UK, French, Nordic, Benelux and eastern European markets, as well as the group’s DMC network, digital transformation and IT.
Newly appointed interim UK chief executive Francis Torrilla, who replaced Kuoni’s long-serving UK boss Derek Jones last month, will continue to report to Larsen.
Elsewhere, Dr Ingo Burmester, Der Touristik chief executive central Europe, will continue to lead the business in its Germany, Austria and Switzerland regions, as well as oversee the group’s hotel business, group brand management and group corporate communications.
The trio is completed by Der Touristik chief financial officer Boris Schnabel, who will oversee a range of corporate functions in addition to group finance and reporting, treasury, risk management, compliance and legal. These include corporate strategy and group human resources.
The board will report to Lionel Souque, chief executive of Rewe Group, following the departure of Der Touristik Group chief executive Soren Hartmann at the end of the year.
They will also work closely with the group’s extended executive board – chief digital officer Joao Gonzaga, chief executive eastern Europe Jiri Jelinek, chief executive DMC Dr Klaus-Ulrich Sperl, chief executive hotel division Georg Schmickler and group chief HR officer Stephanie Wolf, all of whom are members of the group’s former international management board.
Under the new structure, the board’s focus will be "international and integrated", with joint group strategy seeking to drive regional collaboration, "digital convenience" and product exclusivity.
Souque paid tribute to Hartmann for "laying a foundation for future success" during his 10-year tenure, adding he was now looking forward to working with the new executive board on a new journey "towards future growth".
"Today’s tourism market requires fast responses to disruptions, as the flight situation showed once more this summer," said Souque. "I’m confident that with this team of driven and highly experienced top managers we will be able to quickly anticipate trends and be extremely well connected on the operational level. This will be the key to our future resilience and growth.”
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