
VFS Global has launched Visa Application Centres for the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Kuwait City, Riyadh and Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, and Abu Dhabi and Dubai in the UAE, all in the space of one month.
But perhaps the bigger news is that Zubin Karkaria, chief executive officer (CEO) of VFS Global, has been appointed as the CEO of Kuoni Group – VFS Global’s parent company and one of the world’s leading travel services provider – effective last month. Karkaria is the first Indian to be appointed as the head of the 109-year old travel services company, and will concurrently continue in his function as the CEO of VFS Global. He will continue to be based in Dubai, UAE. Kuoni is in the midst of implementing a strategic directional shift whereby it has exited from its traditional tour operating business and is increasing its focus on three core activities – global travel distribution, destination services and visa services – in all of which it holds leading positions. After exiting the tour operating business, Kuoni is aiming to accelerate the implementation of its new corporate strategy, and that will be one of Karkaria’s key priorities in his new role. Zubin Karkaria, 47, founded VFS Global in 2001 and expanded the company successfully as global leader in visa services for governments worldwide. Within the Kuoni Group, the VFS Global Division has shown the strongest growth and profitability.