Swiss travel firm Kuoni Group has announced it is to sell its tour operating business.

In a shock announcement, the Swiss company said the move was part of a plan to “focus the company’s activities on its core business as a service provider to the global travel industry and to governments”.

The move will affect the company’s UK business as well as other operations across the world. The division employs around 3,800 people.

Kuoni will seek new owners during the course of the year but said that customers would not be affected.

Chief executive Peter Meier said: “We are committed to further developing our core business and to rapidly and sustainably growing our core business as a leading service provider for the global travel industry.

"We will offer our customers, partners and suppliers attractive and competitive services and solutions that allow them to provide their clients with a smooth travel experience.”