The verdict by the Swiss Competition Commission follows an in-depth review of the deal, which began in May.

Regulators were concerned about the two brands’ dominance in Switzerland, but have now approved the transaction without conditions or obligations, Dertour Group said. 

Hotelplan Group is being sold by Swiss retailer Migros Group, which put it on the market in February 2024.

Christoph Debus, Dertour Group chief executive, said: “The Competition Commission in Switzerland has given the green light for the acquisition.

"We are extremely happy with the decision and have promptly initiated all necessary steps to implement the transaction, aiming to conclude the process as quickly as possible.”

The deal is expected to be finalised at the end of this week.

The go-ahead means four of Hotelplan’s five business units, including Hotelplan UK, which operates the Inghams, Explore Worldwide, Santa’s Lapland and Inntravel brands, will come under Dertour. Hotelplan’s specialist holiday home brand, Interhome, has been sold to HomeToGo Group.

Dertour operates more than 130 companies in 16 countries and has more than 10,000 employees. When the Hotelplan acquisition was announced in February, Dertour said its UK trade-facing brands would continue to operate as usual through trade channels.

“We are very much looking forward to warmly welcoming our new colleagues from Hotelplan Group,” said Debus. "Together, we will focus on our shared future.

"We are impressed by how the Hotelplan team managed the period of uncertainty during the in-depth review. All the more, we look forward to working together as one team. 

“Together, we will be able to offer guests an even wider and more attractive range of travel and holiday options – with the promise of consistently high reliability, service and quality.”