Zurich based Kuoni Group announces their latest initiative, environmentally aware travel. The Switzerland travel company Alfred Kuoni began back in 1906, has grown to be a leader where innovation, and the term “best” suits guests. With branch operations in over 30 countries about the globe, Kuoni is known for their specialization, but the company probably should be more popular with the mainstream, here’s why.
Back in 2007 Kuoni Group was named “World’s Leading Tour Operator” in 2007, for the ninth time. For one reason or another (and there were no news shakeups that we could find) the company drifted slightly farther behind the limelight for online tour and travel companies. Today’s release, looks like as good an emergence from, let’s call them “the shadows” – as any. Eco-tourism is where all tourism will have to be within a decade or two. All indicators point to this. So, what do you get when you combine one of a kind travel iteneraries and the ethical approach to trips? A win win, that’s what.
I am going to be blunt here. Kuoni needs someone to write their press releases – the one behind that link up there is a bit pitful, and we should know, we write them for clients. That being said, the essence of Kuoni’s value is carried through if you drill down into the release (via the links) and visit the site. The company has engaged this niche with what they term “ananea” experiences – the term being derived from the Greek word for “renewal” – ergo sustainable travel.
Kuoni also announces other key elements to these “ananea” experiences, but the most interesting element for many will be a volunteer aspect where travelers looking for a highly ethical trip, will also be able to volunteer. Of course such altruism is not for everyone, but imagine the learning experience here for kids, the family, etc. If you ever wanted your kids to feel good about themselves, to learn the hard won lessons of commitment and such, excursions along the lines Kuoni is suggesting -well, you get the point.
As an added feature of this initiative, the tour company has also added some pretty innovative online tools. The biggest, the cool interactive brochure you see below, is one of the best this writer has ever seen (I know, someone send me a better one). But seriously, the reader should at least check out how the places, people, and information Kuoni’s new brochures are presented – close to perfect – save some slowness in Opera?
As you can see, this graphic intensive online brochure has cool interactive feautures.
As you can tell in the image above, not only does Kuoni cover some cool destinations, their presentation aspect is superb. Ever been to TripAdvisor? Their idea of green revelation is making the site green and putting in some text (okay TripWow Wow). The way Kuoni shows off what they did is the future (or part of it) for converting lookers into travelers. The image below shows me manipulating the same pages of the e-brochure to show off other texts, images, and etc.
Images changed and some interactive elements enabled
Without going too far off the deep end in praising Kuoni, it’s safe to say this initiative is genuine, and extraordinary. The company may not know how to present a press release, but they do know about excellence. My last accolade here is about one of these “excursions” the company talks about in th release on and their website. For those who remember, or are familiar Born Free, and the foundation so named, a Kenya Safari galvanizes not only the Born Free Foundation’s legacy, but the Kuoni aspect as well.
The video below came with the press release, I almost did not watch it because of its presentation. Please watch.
In case you wondered, the wonderful lady in this video is none other than Virginia McKenna, the super actress who portrayed Joy Adamson in the true-life film Born Free. Since she and her husband’s portrayal of the real life characters behind the story of Elsa the lioness, McKenna has been one of the world’s biggest wildlife advocates, and in 2004 McKenna was made an officer of the Order of the British Empire for her body of work artistic and humanitarian. Why do I mention this? If you watch this video, McKenna, there can be no doubt these ananea will not only be once in a lifetime experiences – but as credible a marketed travel product as we’ve ever seen – you can hear it in McKenna’s voice at the end.
On the negative side of all this, events of such gravity deserve the best picture frames to go about them. I hate to harp on the digital mediocrity of this release, but like I said, I almost did not even write this story, and that my friends, would have really been a shame. Check out Kuoni via the links, the press release, their Kuoni Facebook, I leave you with the original trailer from Born Free, which I saw on the big screen in early 1967. Enjoy.