Dertour cleared to take over Hotelplan

Switzerland’s Competition Commission (Weko) has given the green light to the acquisition of Hotelplan by Dertour, concluding an in-depth review.  While the merger strengthens the market position of the two players in certain segments, regulators said competition in the Swiss travel sector will not be significantly affected.

Weko justified its decision by stating that travelers in Switzerland can continue to choose from a variety of booking channels. In addition to traditional travel agencies and tour operators, numerous online platforms and direct bookings with airlines and hotels are available.

«Consumers actively use these different channels and compare prices and offers,» Weko noted in its statement. «As a result, competitive pressure will remain even after the merger.»

The planned takeover was first announced on February 12, 2025, when Dertour confirmed its intention to acquire most of the Hotelplan Group. The holiday rental arm Interhome was divested to Hometogo as part of the deal. In late May, Weko launched an extended review to assess whether the merger might lead to a quasi-monopoly in the Swiss travel market.