A merger of the largest destination management companies in Southeast Asia, with more than 500 staff in 13 countries and a combined annual turnover of $90 million, creates one of the biggest deals in this industry.
Tourasia – the largest tour operator in Switzerland specializing in travel to Asia – and Zurich-based Diethelm Travel Holding are merging their Asian destination management operations, according to a statement sent on Tuesday. From mid-September Stephan Roemer, founder and Managing Director of Tourasia, takes over the post of CEO with responsibility for all operational activities headquartered in Bangkok.
DK Travel Holding Chairman Angelo van Tol and Stephan Roemer, Founder of Tourasia (from left)
Swiss Asian travel specialist Tourasia is merging its «All Asia Exclusive» and «Blue Horizons Travel & Tours» brands with the Asian portfolio of Bangkok-based Diethelm Travel. The deal creates one of the largest incoming tour operating enterprises in Asia.
Merged Activities
Under the Diethelm Travel Holding parent company, «Diethelm Travel» and «Blue Horizons Travel & Tours» together comprise some 500 staff. This figure includes the entire personnel of «All Asia Exclusive», which will no longer operate as an independently managed brand.
Operational management of the merged activities is being assumed from mid-September by Stephan Roemer, founder and Managing Director of Tourasia. Roemer: «By joining forces and combing our considerable strengths, we will be the only travel company operating a fully comprehensive service network with its own locations throughout Southeast Asia.»
New CEO
Roemer will be the new CEO of the Diethelm Travel Group as well as serving on the board of management of Diethelm Travel Holding. Country managers in Asia will in future report directly to him.
Paramount priority of the new destination management enterprise will be to set superior quality standards. Guests will benefit from exclusive travel comfort in the company's own fleet of luxury limousines and the services of highly qualified professional tour guides. At all destinations a round-the-clock multilingual concierge team will further ensure that guests enjoy a memorable holiday experience with exceptional added value
