English Corner

The entire Hotelplan Group is to be sold by the end of 2024. Image: TN

Dertour rumored among final bidders for Hotelplan

According to a report in the German media, only two interested parties are still in the running for the Hotelplan Group: a group including Dertour and Hometogo, and a player from the financial sector.

According to the German portal «FVW». In addition, only a second interested party from financial circles is said to be left in the running. ‘FVW’, a consortium of Dertour Group and Hometogo is set to acquire the Hotelplan Group.  In addition, only a second interested party from financial circles is said to be left in the running. ‘FVW’ refers to information from industry circles.

It is known from a mandatory announcement published three weeks ago that Hometogo wants to take over Hotelplan's holiday home division Interhome. Now, Dertour Group and Hometogo are said to have formed a consortium to take over the entire Hotelpan Group. This would enable Migros CEO Mario Irminger to pursue his original plan of selling the group as a whole.

Numerous question marks

The article discusses the scenario that would arise in Switzerland if Dertour/Hometogo were to take over. Dertour Suisse and Hotelplan Suisse would account for 40 per cent of the travel market.

Whether this acquisition would comply with competition law depends on how the relevant market is defined, explained Lionel Souque, CEO of Rewe, Dertour's parent company, at a recent FVW congress. Souque noted that it hinges on whether regulators consider only the tour operator market or the broader travel market—including platforms like Booking and Airbnb—as the relevant competitive landscape.

Furthermore, synergies in purchasing and at DMCs are cited as a plus that would result from a merger between Dertour and Hotelplan. At the same time, however, the numerous overlaps are also mentioned, be it in the branches, in the beach holiday business or in the modular tours. Another question mark arises regarding the possible interaction between Rewe/Dertour and Migros. In retail, the two are competitors. Rewe is closer to Coop and is present in the Coop branches with the direct distributor ITS Coop Travel.

According to FVW, besides the Dertour/Hometogo consortium, only one other interested party remains in the race for Hotelplan: a Swiss “family office” from the financial sector. If this second bidder were successful, it could offer a more socially acceptable, Swiss-based solution, the report suggests.

When asked by Travelnews about the rumours, Migros spokeswoman Carmen Hefti said: ‘The sales process is well underway and is attracting a great deal of interest due to the strong positioning of the Hotelplan Group.’ Discussions are being held with several potential buyers, including for the Hotelplan Group as a whole.

‘Due to confidentiality agreements, we are unable to provide any further details,’ said Hefti. ’Migros is deliberately taking its time and carefully searching for the best possible new ownership – also in the interest of Hotelplan Group.’

(GWA)