Travel
Brexit and terror will never undermine UK’s thirst for travel – Kuoni
Neither the weak pound nor security threats will be enough to turn Brits away from international adventures, the marketing director of premium travel company Kuoni told Campaign, as it prepares the launch a visually distinctive TV campaign on Christmas Day.
“We did feel the effect of a nervous public” following terrorist attacks such as the bombings in Paris last November, said Dean Harvey, “but the British public are quite resilient.”
And since the referendum in June, after which the pound plummeted against the dollar, Kuoni had not seen a downturn in bookings, he added. “The holiday is one of the last things to go.”
The challenge for travel companies, Harvey said, was to demonstrate the ability to provide holidays that catered to consumer needs that might be changed by the economic or political climate. Travellers whose budgets have been squeezed by the falling pound present an opportunity for all-inclusive trips which can make it easier for them to budget, he said.
The new campaign, “Out of the ordinary”, created by Brighton-based agency Designate, aims to profile the breadth of trips offered by Kuoni.
It features a swimmer moving through a series of backdrops – including an island in the Maldives, African plains and an Italian piazza – which are created by manipulating still photographs. The ad was directed by Luke Losey and features an original track by Paul Hartnoll from electronic act Orbital.
Harvey said that Kuoni was primarily known for the Maldives, an association that was holding back its ability to increase business with existing consumers by getting them to consider it for other types of holidays – especially short haul trips.
“Kuoni owns more stores than Apple – over 50,” said Harvey. “The brand has some traction, but our research has shown that people only know us for special occasions or long haul. We’re able to sell quite a wide range of products, from Europe to the Maldives to cruises. We wanted to have our customers come back on a more frequent basis.”
The TV spot will be supported by digital, social and press, with a sale booklet going out in The Times and The Daily Telegraph in January.
Harvey predicted that after two decades in which low-cost airlines have driven the growth of the travel industry, package holidays would start to make a comeback as consumers reevaluate their priorities.
“We think the novelty of planning your own holiday is fading,” he said. “It’s become such a protracted process, and you’re never quite sure you’ve made the right choice.”
He acknowledged that package holidays suffered from “image problems”, but said that travel providers were working to shift the emphasis of their offer from merely convenience, to expertise and recommendation.
“We’re investing significantly in our retail store networks and partnerships with the trade. We encourage people to get off our website and speak to us – that recommendation aspect of what we do differentiates us from a number of players.”
Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives has been nominated in the Resorts category for the Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 (UK) and the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 (US), marking a further development in the resort’s international recognition.
The Readers’ Choice Awards are based on traveller feedback and are considered a key benchmark within the global travel industry. The dual nomination reflects the resort’s presence across international markets and its engagement with guests from different regions.
The nomination follows a series of recognitions for the resort. In 2025, Kuda Villingili was ranked among the Top 5 Overseas Leisure Resorts Worldwide in the Condé Nast Traveller Middle East Readers’ Choice Awards, placing fifth globally. It was also listed among the Top Resorts in the Indian Ocean in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2025 (US). The resort was similarly recognised in the 2024 edition of the awards.
Located in North Malé Atoll, approximately 30 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives offers 75 villas and residences, each with private pools and views of the surrounding ocean.
The resort features eight restaurants and three bars, including Japanese-Peruvian dining at Mar-Umi and Teppanyaki by Mar-Umi. Other dining options include Asian cuisine at East and grill offerings at Fire. Additional facilities include a cigar lounge, a large swimming pool, a spa with overwater treatment villas, and a range of wellness and recreational activities such as yoga, sound therapy and surfing.
Amjad Thaufeeg, Commercial Director at Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives, stated that the nominations reflect feedback from guests across international markets and noted the importance of maintaining consistent service standards.
Voting for the Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 is open until 30 June 2026, with results scheduled to be announced in November 2026.
Baros Maldives is set to host a curated Earth Day experience titled Earth Day in Bloom on 22 April 2026, offering guests an evening programme centred on sustainability, nature and locally sourced ingredients.
The event will begin at 6:30pm at the resort’s Chef’s Garden, where guests will be welcomed with a Garden Spritz before taking part in a guided tour of the garden. The tour will introduce participants to local herbs and island-grown produce cultivated on the property.
As part of the programme, guests will be invited to plant their own herb, contributing to the garden while engaging in an activity aligned with environmental awareness. The experience will continue with a garden dinner starting at 7pm, featuring a menu designed around fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced from the island.
An optional pairing of organic wines will also be available, providing an additional element to the dining experience.
The event is priced at USD 175 per person, excluding applicable service charge and taxes. Reservations can be made through the resort’s butler service.
The initiative reflects Baros Maldives’ focus on sustainability-led guest experiences, integrating environmental awareness with culinary offerings and on-island activities.
Sirru Fen Fushi Private Lagoon Resort hosted a two-day Behind the Bar experience as part of its Easter programme, bringing together contemporary mixology and craft-led guest experiences.
The event featured collaborations with Modernhaus, led by Bar Manager Upay Aldi, and The Cocktail Club, represented by Co-Founder Mirwansyah Bule, both from Indonesia. Over two evenings, guests were invited to engage with the bartenders’ techniques, flavour profiles and creative processes, with Modernhaus recognised among Asia’s 50 Best Bars.
The programme included a curated selection of cocktails prepared using ingredients such as cempaka-infused whisky, hibiscus ginger maple, wasabi spirit, jasmine peach, coconut chai milk, salted tamarind, yuzu whey, salted fino sherry, sake gomme, guava vodka, Thai tea liqueur and malic. The offerings reflected a combination of tropical elements and contemporary mixology methods.
The first evening took place at Kata, the resort’s Japanese-fusion restaurant, where the experience was set against sunset views over the lagoon. The second evening was held at Raha Market in a beachside setting, offering a more informal atmosphere while maintaining the focus on crafted cocktails.
The event formed part of Sirru Fen Fushi’s ongoing programming, which centres on curated guest experiences and collaborations with international talent in food and beverage.
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