Further to the announcement on June 3, 2019 that Sunweb Group had entered into an agreement to acquire Corendon tour operating activities in the Netherlands and Belgium, the back-office in Turkey and Corendon Dutch Airlines (“Corendon”), Sunweb today confirms that it will not pursue the acquisition and has terminated the SPA in accordance with its terms. The reason is that the requirements to complete the transaction were incapable of being completed by the long-stop date. Sunweb Group and Corendon will continue as two separate companies with different shareholders.
“We regret to make this announcement as Sunweb Group has invested significant time and resources into making this transaction happen. As the long-stop date of the sale and purchase agreement came due without all requirements being satisfied, we terminated the transaction,” says Mattijs ten Brink, CEO of the Sunweb Group.
The Sellers of Corendon have challenged Sunweb Group’s decision and the case will now be reviewed by the District Court of Amsterdam. Sunweb Group is confident in its legal position and is only issuing this statement to ensure accurate and factual information as the legal proceedings will become public.
COVID-19 has had significant impact on the entire travel industry. Sunweb Group is affected but benefits from its asset light business model, a mix between ski- and sun holidays and low fixed costs, as it does not own aircrafts or hotels, and sells its packages directly to consumers online. These characteristics, in combination with strong partnerships and continued support from its shareholders and lenders, ensure that Sunweb Group stands strong despite the difficult market circumstances.
Mattijs ten Brink: “With the termination of the deal, both organizations can fully focus on their respective key priorities. In the current crisis, and as a responsible digital holiday expert, Sunweb Group will stay committed to its customers and the promises made. At the same time we will continue to secure the health and safety of our passengers so they can enjoy their future holidays without concerns. As an organization we will use the current period to accelerate our digital agenda. I am pleased that our lenders and shareholders are supportive to take us through this crisis, even as the COVID-19 crisis is likely to drag out.”
Sunweb Group is making this announcement now since the initiation of injunction proceedings by the Sellers of Corendon will make the situation public. Sunweb Group therefore wants to inform its stakeholders transparently.
Zürich, June 20, 2020 – The Flemish singer Kate Ryan, known for hits like Désenchantée and Ella Elle L’a, today launches a modern cover of Madonna’s summer classic “Holiday”. The new version was recorded in collaboration with travel agency Sunweb Group as part of its as part of its campaign to celebrate June 20th as the International Day of Holidays, the date that travellers are allowed to go on holiday again.
Stream via Spotify and Apple Music, among others
The new song Holiday can be listened to via Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes, Soundcloud and YouTube Music from today. The song was produced in collaboration with record company Spinnin ‘Records.
“We need a holiday!”
Talking about the launch of the cover, Kate Ryan said, “Ever since I was a kid, I’ve been a fan of Madonna. So making a version of one of her songs was a special challenge! My record company, Spinnin Records, put me in touch with the right producers and soon we had a version that really sounded right. ”
“We now have the opportunity to share the entire song, and Sunweb Group’s International Day of Holidays is the perfect moment. The lyrics could not be more applicable right now. We all need a break, in complete freedom, without rules and full of fun! We need a holiday!” Says Kate.
About the collaboration with Kate Ryan, Tim van den Bergh CCO of Sunweb Group said: “Kate’s song fits perfectly with the positive message we are sending on this International Day of Holidays. We see the campaign as a new beginning and look forward to a summer full of holiday fun. Not just for the Dutch, but for travellers all over the world. ”
About International Day of Holidays
Summer enthusiasts are invited to celebrate the day with the hashtag #jointhecelebration. A special promotion page and a social toolkit have been developed for this. Summer playlists can be listened to on Spotify with songs chosen by travellers that evoke holiday memories. In addition to travellers, Sunweb Group is also callings on the travel industry to celebrate this day with them using the hashtag #jointhecelebration.
Click on this link to watch the music video:
Do you want to see Kate Ryan sing her song “Holiday” live? Tonight at 20:00 there is a live stream with DJ Licious on the Sunweb Facebook page.
————————
About Sunweb Group
Sunweb Group is one of Europe’s largest travel companies, with a turnover of more 600 million euros. The company is the driving force behind brands operating across seven international markets: the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Belgium, the UK, Germany and France. Sunweb is the group’s most well-known brand.
Sunweb is a fully fledged online player with package holidays to sun and winter sports destinations.
Sunweb Group employs approximately 500 people and sends more than 400 tour guides and area managers to assorted holiday destinations in support of its customers. Sunweb Group has a pan-European identity with tour activities in Zurich (headquarters), Rotterdam (back office), Girona (software and web development) and several locations across Europe. The combination of a centralized organization, unique self-contracted content and a strong online business model results in more than one million satisfied Sunweb Group customers every year. Sunweb Group was acquired by Triton Fund V in February of 2019.
Press contact Sunweb Group:
Zürich, June 18, 2020 – After months of uncertainty, tour operator Sunweb Group * is celebrating the restart of the holiday season with a new campaign. Saturday, June 20 – the beginning of summer – will be renamed International Day of Holidays by the travel company.
Positive message for the traveller
Sunweb Group will start taking people on holidays again on Friday 19 June, one day before the summer officially start, the perfect time to celebrate the fact that travellers can go on holiday again.
Tim van den Bergh, CCO of Sunweb Group explains the campaign: “With The International Day of Holidays we want to send a positive message to everyone who loves to travel. As a travel organization, we think it is important to show that we can still welcome everyone to the most beautiful locations. ” The campaign was launched with SPARK, the internal Sunweb Group Agency. “We see the campaign as a new beginning and are looking forward to a great summer. This is not just for the Dutch, but for travellers all over the world. ”
Co-creative campaign
With the hashtag #jointhecelebration, holiday enthusiasts are invited to celebrate that day – June 20th. A special action page and a social toolkit have been developed especially for this. Various playlists are available on Spotify with songs from travellers that bring back holiday memories and on the International Day of Holidays itself a musical surprise will be revealed via Sunweb Group’s social channels.
Broadly supported initiative
In addition to travellers, Sunweb Group also calls on the travel industry to celebrate this day with them using the hashtag #jointhecelebration. The initiative is widely supported by several partners of Sunweb Group as well as other agencies from different countries. Many popular holiday destinations, including Gran Canaria, Greece, Portugal, Tunisia and Tenerife, are already participating in the initiative.
* Sunweb Group in the Netherlands includes the brands Sunweb, Eliza was here, Primavera and Gogo.
About Sunweb Group
Sunweb Group is one of Europe’s largest travel companies, with a turnover of more 600 million euros. The company is the driving force behind brands operating across seven international markets: the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Belgium, the UK, Germany and France. Sunweb is the group’s most well-known brand.
Sunweb is a fully fledged online player with package holidays to sun and winter sports destinations.
Sunweb Group employs approximately 500 people and sends more than 400 tour guides and area managers to assorted holiday destinations in support of its customers. Sunweb Group has a pan-European identity with tour activities in Zurich (headquarters), Rotterdam (back office), Girona (software and web development) and several locations across Europe. The combination of a centralized organization, unique self-contracted content and a strong online business model results in more than one million satisfied Sunweb Group customers every year. Sunweb Group was acquired by Triton Fund V in February of 2019.
Press contact Sunweb Group:
Zurich, June 15 – Tour operator Sunweb Group makes every effort to give everyone the chance to enjoy invigorating holidays close to home. To that end, and starting today, the company is joining forces with Tomorrowland to offer glamping vacations. In doing so, Sunweb Group is fully committing itself to the project that offers luxurious camping possibilities in the middle of Durbuy’s wonderful nature, harnessing the enchanting power of the famous and familiar DreamVille concept.
Although flying is today once again a safe option, a considerable number of Sunweb Group customers are opting for a vacation in their own country instead. As a good listener, Sunweb Group has already launched several initiatives to meet this desire. The tour operator recently announced its collaboration with Roompot Vacations, for starters, and also participated in the Summerglamp story of A&D Events and Creationz. From now on, customers can book a package holiday to Durbuy, as well.
For this project, Sunweb Group is once again joining forces with Tomorrowland – its trusted collaborator for the famous annual Tomorrowland Winter event – La Petite Merveille and Adventure Valley Durbuy. This new concept offers glamping holidays in DreamVille’s accommodations, but instead of the usual festival campsites in Boom or Rumst, DreamVille is migrating to Durbuy for the summer. This year, the festival campsite is relocating to the beautiful 35-hectare natural plain of the former Durbuy golf course, transformed into Green Fields Durbuy.
DreamVille tents, lodges ànd atmosphere
Green Fields Durbuy combines comfort and blissful relaxation with a stunning environment that also offers, for those who wish to, a spot of action and adventure. There are eight different ways of staying at the fairylike, temporary holiday village, which offers a stunning view of the surrounding forests. DreamVille is not just moving its Bell Tents, safari-look tents, wooden Dreamlodges and Treehouses to Durbuy. The Ardennes will also be welcoming the DreamVille Skyboxes and Ensuites this summer. All accommodations are bookable via the Sunweb website.
Obviously, the unique atmosphere that pervades DreamVille every year will be coming along, too. In addition to morning yoga sessions, you will be able to book a massage or relax by the pool with a cocktail in hand. While DJ-sets are off the turning table this time, diehard music lovers are welcome to enjoy the Green Fields Headset Experience, which will allow every guest to listen to dance music individually.
Foodies, gourmets, and plain old hungry people will be catered to on a large on-site terrace brimming with culinary delights, with a breakfast prepared by master chef Wout Bru just one of many possibilities on offer. Exploring the region or signing up for excitement and adventure at Adventure Valley Durbuy, is just the icing on the proverbial cake.
Holidays close to home
The idea for Green Fields came about after a brainstorming session between Bart Maerten and Marc Coucke, the respective owners of La Petite Merveille and Adventure Valley Durbuy, as both gentlemen went looking for novel and creative concepts for organizing vacations close to home.
“We understand that not all customers can or want to go on a flying holiday this summer. So why not choose a unique vacation close to home, at the wonderful town of Durbuy”, says Tim Van den Bergh, Sunweb Group CCO. “Naturally, we are very excited about this new joint effort with Tomorrowland, who managed to create a unique glamping experience thanks to the collaboration with Adventure Valley Durbuy.”
“For all the fans who have to miss out on Tomorrowland this summer, this alternative is definitely worth checking out”, according to Tomorrowland spokeswoman Debby Wilmsen. “We are recreating the unique DreamVille atmosphere in the Ardennes and, rest assured, the unspoilt nature and magnificent vistas will make for some unforgettable holiday moments yet.”
Reservations can be made through the site of Sunweb. The vouchers distributed by Sunweb Group to the affected travellers who saw their Tomorrowland Winter trips get cancelled, can also be used for a Green Fields Durbuy vacation.
Zurich, 29 May 2020 – To ensure the health and safety of travellers and staff, today Sunweb Groupbegins a collaboration with Intertek Cristal. The European organization specializes in safety and risk management solutions for the travel industry.
By drawing up guidelines and preparing safety checks, Sunweb Group* can offer future travellers safe holidays and ensure on-location personnel safety. The collaboration is built on accommodations but will also work with transfer and excursion providers, rental cars and bus companies.
Safety checks and emergency procedures
The first step is setting guidelines for accommodations and other partners to conduct a self-assessment of safety, known as a POSI check (Prevention of the Spread of Infection). Destination emergency procedures will also be developed with partners. In the longer term, Sunweb Group is working towards a label. In addition to focusing on coronavirus prevention, this would also entail additional examinations that include pools, foodstuffs, fire, water, safety and security.
Sunweb Group CEO Mattijs ten Brink noted, “The main concern is ensuring our customers’ confidence before the trip by providing all necessary information, then alleviating any health or safety concerns during their stay so they can get the maximum enjoyment out of their well-deserved holidays. For our clients, it’s no longer just the dream of their upcoming holidays that matters but also the knowledge that they’ll come home safely. We want them to be reassured. Through our partnership with Intertek Cristal and the plan of action we’ve developed, we can show travellers that we are doing the utmost to guard their health and safety.”
Intertek Cristal CEO Steve Tate explained, “We are proud to help Sunweb Group implement health and hygiene standards. For years, Sunweb Group has shown that the safety and well-being of their guests is the foundation of their business practice. The POSI check is key to ensuring guests’ safety and well-being in the post-COVID-19 travel world. Together, we will ensure a safe environment for all Sunweb Group travellers.”
About Intertek Cristal
Intertek Cristal delivers software and audit services to more than 80 of the world’s largest tour operators and hotel groups to maintain standards worldwide. The company has one of the world’s largest groups of experts in quality, safety, health and hygiene and more than two decades of experience in the field. With approximately 22.000 audits per year in more than 50 countries, Intertek Cristal gives operators and hoteliers a complete picture of safety and brand performance.
About Sunweb Group
Sunweb Group is one of Europe’s largest travel companies, with a turnover of more 600 million euros. The company is the driving force behind brands operating across seven international markets: the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Belgium, the UK, Germany and France. Sunweb is the group’s most well-known brand.
Sunweb is a fully fledged online player with package holidays to sun and winter sports destinations.
Sunweb Group employs approximately 500 people and sends more than 400 tour guides and area managers to assorted holiday destinations in support of its customers. Sunweb Group has a pan-European identity with tour activities in Zurich (headquarters), Rotterdam (back office), Girona (software and web development) and several locations across Europe. The combination of a centralized organization, unique self-contracted content and a strong online business model results in more than one million satisfied Sunweb Group customers every year. Sunweb Group was acquired by Triton Fund V in February of 2019.
Press contact Sunweb Group:
Holidaymakers travelling with Sunweb Group do not need to worry. The tour operator is freezing their prices of its holidays cancelled due to the Covid-19 outbreak. Sunweb Group promises affected holidaymakers will be able to rebook the exact same holiday for the same price using their voucher or refund credit note (UK) at a later date. By maintaining their prices for travellers with this voucher or refund credit note, the tour operator is giving its customers security and peace of mind.
Today, Sunweb Group announces that it will be freezing its rates for booked holidays, guaranteeing affected travellers that the prices for identical travel plans within a booking period of 1 year will remain unchanged. At Sunweb Group, both holidaymakers who have already had to cancel their trip due to the Covid-19 outbreak and travellers who are regretfully still having their holidays cancelled by Sunweb Group at a later date will be issued a voucher or a refund credit note for the exact amount they have spent on their holiday already. In doing so, the tour operator wants to reassure anxious travellers who had already cancelled their travel plans that they will still be able to enjoy their dream holiday at a later date.
Voucher or Refund Credit Note (UK) guarantees same price:
Sunweb Group is indeed offering their customers the opportunity to enjoy their cancelled holiday at a later date. The online tour operator is committed to offering all of its customers the exact same holiday at the exact same price. In other words, any early booking discounts will still be applicable. Moreover, should hotels or flights prove more expensive later on, Sunweb Group guarantees the prices it initially agreed upon with its travellers will remain unchanged.
Another destination after all?
Obviously, customers can still choose to book whatever holiday they may dream of. They get the flexibility to book within one year, using their corona voucher or refund credit note. This gives customers the opportunity to opt for a different destination or hotel with an identical or cheaper price. If they book the exact same holiday, Sunweb Group’s price guarantee ensures that the original price still applies.
“We see that our customers are very disappointed right now about not being able to go on their well-deserved holiday to Egypt or that they have to miss out on that wonderful all-inclusive fortnight in Greece,” says Mattijs ten Brink, CEO at Sunweb Group. “We want to offer them the chance to still realize their dream holiday as soon as we are all allowed to travel again. Our holidaymakers can sleep easy and have peace of mind knowing that Sunweb Group guarantees they will still be able to enjoy their holiday at a later date without having to pay extra.”
Zurich, April 2nd 2020
Dear customer,
How do you write a letter to 150,000 people that you do not know personally? Who have 150,000 different stories, live in various countries, and each has their personal experiences and feelings about the past weeks. 150,000 people who have one thing in common: they were looking forward to a wonderful holiday. And they entrusted the organisation of their holiday to Sunweb Group. But it all turned out differently than you expected.
Frankly, I do not know exactly how one writes such a letter, and yet I still would like to address you personally. I am Mattijs ten Brink, CEO of Sunweb Group. With this letter, I want to let you know that I am thinking of you. I deeply care about all that happened with regards to your holiday.
Due to the rapid advance of the coronavirus and the acute measures by the various governments, we sometimes had to severely intervene in your holidays. Our team has worked tirelessly to bring almost one hundred thousand customers back home safely and timely: an unprecedented logistical challenge.
As a travel organisation, we normally gain gratification from the fact that our customers have had enjoyable holidays that exceed their expectations. Holidays that create beautiful memories. In these times, however, we have had to put our responsibility for your well-being above your holiday joy. It must be said that this was a very painful experience for us. I am also very well aware of the impact this has had on you and your travelling companions.
In some cases, we had to intervene in response to a direct measure that was implemented by either the country of your destination or your home country. In other cases, we preventively had to take the decision ourselves to get you back home. We did this if we could not guarantee a carefree and safe return home in the days or weeks that would follow. In addition, we had to cancel many holidays in advance. Holidays that you were probably very much looking forward to. That must have been a huge disappointment. In all cases, we have asked for your patience and that was a great deal to ask in these uncertain times.
During the completion of this ‘operation’ we were forced to improvise. In the process, we have intensively collaborated with our transportation partners and with local governments ensuring the safe and timely return of each one of our guests. Our people in the contact centres and planning have worked day and night. Often times our plans went well, in other cases it just did not work, leading to difficult and frustrating moments, also for you.
As such, I have heard of many situations that posed extra challenges for you: customers about to depart, suitcase in hand, and only then they heard that their holiday had been cancelled. Guests who were no longer able to eat in the hotel because the restaurant had closed. Groups of people that were unsuspectingly enjoying their holiday together, but were told by us, on the spot, that their departure was planned to be within a few hours. In some cases, you had to go home by bus where you were supposed to fly. Or you had to travel a great deal further by bus, in order to depart from a different airport.
We have also asked you not to call us, but promised that we would contact you. We did this to be able to handle all communication and operations in order of highest urgency. It meant that some of you did not hear from us for quite some time. I am sorry that we were not always able to take away the uncertainty and irritation this all has created. In the weeks to come, you will be in need of clear communication. You can trust us to help you to the best of our abilities.
Perhaps some of you will be less satisfied with the arrangements around the compensations of your (partial) unrealised holiday. Because of these exceptional circumstances, we have, in consultation with our industry associations, the national authorities and the guarantee funds, chosen for the corona voucher. With this solution, we ensure that all customers will retain the value of their payment and that our partners and we can remain there for you in the future.
I would like to end this letter by expressing again that I care deeply about all of this. I am very sorry if we were not able to meet your expectations. I hope that you will come out of this crisis safely and healthy. We would love to organise your well-deserved holiday in the future.
Kindest regards,
Mattijs ten Brink
Contactdetails Mattijs ten Brink:
Press contact Sunweb Group:
https://www.facebook.com/SunwebGroup/videos/318715332424124/
As of today, all of the package holidays offered by Sunweb Group are carbon neutral through CO2 compensation. Sunweb Group travellers pay no extra costs, in contrast to the customers of many other tour operators. The company made CO2 compensation for flights, coaches, transfers and accommodations standard on all packages. The prices of its package holidays remain unchanged. With this, Sunweb Group takes responsibility for minimising its CO2 footprint.
The compensation applies to all vacations by all brands under Sunweb Group in every country. This makes Sunweb Group one of the first large-scale travel organisations to make CO2 neutral the standard for all package holidays and to help its clients travel more sustainably.
Compensation for minimum one million travellers
Tim Van den Bergh, CCO of Sunweb Group, explained, “We continuously try to improve the social, economic and environmental impact of everything we do. That is why we took responsibility for minimising the CO2 emissions of our vacations. We know that CO2 compensation is not the solution to climate change, but it is crucial that the travel industry takes action now. We hope that other partners and travel organisations will follow our example and take responsibility for their CO2 emissions.” Sunweb Group forecasts that it will offset CO2 emissions for over one million travellers in 2020. “Our CO2-compensation program is the first important step towards tackling the most polluting part of travel packages and towards bringing sustainable change to the travel sector,” continued Van den Bergh.
Calculating emission offset
The total CO2 emissions from a package holiday are calculated on four pieces: flights, coaches, transfers and accommodations. Sunweb Group then supports projects that offset CO2 by the same amount. By this process, the CO2 emissions from all passengers will be offset. At the end of 2020, the company will be able to announce precisely how many tonnes of CO2 were offset in this way.
Sustainability projects in India
The travel organisation supports renewable energy projects* in India. These projects reduce CO2 emissions on a large scale and provide renewable energy to thousands of people. For example, Sunweb Group supports windmill parks in Madhya Pradesh in central India and in Rajasthan in the northwest. Together, these projects reduce CO2 emissions by more than 350,000 tonnes per year and generate enough electricity for 76,000 Indian households.
*All of the projects that Sunweb Group supports are certified to the highest quality standards in the voluntary carbon offsetting market, such as the de Voluntary Carbon Standard.
Collaboration with ClimateCare
To carry out the CO2 offsetting, the travel group works with international partner ClimateCare. The company has more than 20 years of experience developing and implementing programs that reduce CO2 emissions on a large scale.
Press contact Sunweb Group
“I am excited to take on this new role and lead the ambitious growth agenda of the Sunweb Group. As a partner to the company for many years, I have been impressed with their unique hybrid between traditional tour operators and online travel agencies and the agility that this provides. With the backing of majority owner Triton, I see significant potential for Sunweb Group to drive consolidation of the travel market while continuing to invest in becoming a truly digital tour operator that can meet and exceed the expectations of the future traveller”, says Mattijs ten Brink, appointed CEO of Sunweb Group.
He will start his position during the fourth quarter of 2019. Departing CEO Gert de Caluwe, who is stepping down for personal reasons, will remain active during a transition period and will continue as an advisor to the Sunweb Group.
“We are pleased to welcome Mattijs ten Brink to the Sunweb Group. He has extensive experience from the travel industry and is very familiar with the Sunweb Group’s business model, our consumers and working with a digital distribution model. We are fortunate to have someone of his calibre and experience take on the leadership of creating a new leading European travel group. I would also like to thank Gert de Caluwe who´s excellent stewardship for the past six years has brought consistent volume and bottom line growth in a very difficult and challenging travel market”, says Lars Löfgren, Chairman of the Board at Sunweb Group.
Press contact Sunweb Group
Picture from 2017 with Mattijs when Sunweb added the Transavia logo to the Tour de France jersey of Team Sunweb in celebration of Transavia’s 50th anniversary.
Triton is to acquire the tour operating activities of Corendon Holiday Group (Corendon) through Sunweb Group (Sunweb), a Triton Fund V portfolio company. Final agreement is still subject to regulatory approvals and to employee consultation procedures.
For more details watch the personal video-message from our CEO Gert de Caluwe enclosed in this mail.
May we ask to keep this news confidential for now as a press release will follow later today. We will also share this with you.
Sincere thanks.