FTI Group: Final spurt in investor talks

After an auditor assessed the FTI Group's going concern status as only "probably secure", the question arose as to whether the travel giant had a future at all—many travel agencies were justifiably unsettled. Susanne Wohlgemuth, Senior PR Manager Corporate Communications, gave the all-clear at the end of February.

Takeover rumours have been doing the rounds at the FTI Group for around a year. The company has now confirmed talks with an investor. "The FTI Group is entering into exclusive negotiations with an international financial investor with many years of experience in the tourism sector," reads a press release.

The agreement stipulates that FTI will receive fresh capital to further invest in the company's digital transformation and that the financial liabilities will be assumed. All parties involved are working together to finalise the transaction swiftly.

The company has not disclosed who the takeover candidate is, however insiders have recently speculated that Certares is a possible investor. A commitment to Certares would be a good fit. The US fund already holds numerous tourism investments - including Amex GBT, Hertz, several hotel groups and Latam Airlines.