bpv Huegel advises French tour operator on acquisition of control of Europe’s No. 1 bicycle tour company

bpv Huegel supported the well-known French tour operator Voyageurs du Monde in the acquisition of a majority stake in the Austrian Eurofun Group.

19 May 2022. The bpv Huegel team led by Elke Napokoj has advised the well-known French tour operator Voyageurs du Monde on the acquisition of a majority stake in the Austrian Eurofun Group.

The Voyageurs du Monde Group is thus strengthening its presence in Europe in a forward-looking business segment with low greenhouse gas emissions that is less susceptible to health crises.

The Eurofun Group is represented in Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark and France. In addition to these countries, the travel offer includes numerous other European destinations such as Italy, Spain or Portugal as well as numerous brands (Eurobike, Eurohike, Radweg-Reisen, Rückenwind Reisen, Velociped, Radreisefreunde, SE Tours, Pedalo Touristik, Espace Randonnée, Eurotrek, Active Scandinavia, Active on holiday, Bering travel). In 2019, the group, which employs a total of more than 240 people, generated a turnover of almost 80 million euros. The Eurofun Group will continue to be led by Thomas Schmid and the existing management team. A board consisting of Alain Capestan, Lionel Habasque, Eric Balian, Thomas Schmid and Walter Schmid will be formed to define and implement the strategy for the local and international development of this business unit in conjunction with the other business units of the group.

The signing of the transaction took place on 9 May 2022 in Vienna; the closing is expected for the end of September.

Advisor to the buyers:
bpv Huegel Rechtsanwälte GmbH (Vienna): Elke Napokoj (Lead, Corporate/M&A), Michaela Pelinka (M&A/Real/Estate), Walter Niedermüller (Labour Law), Daniel Grimmer (Corporate/M&A)
Inhouse (Paris): Claire Chateau (Group General Counsel), Alain Capestan (CEO)
Chammas & Marcheteau (Paris): Denis Marcheteau (lead); Associate: Romain Penloup (both M&A)
Oehner & Partner (Vienna): Michael Lind (Lead; Corporate/M&A), and others.
PwC (Vienna)

Advisor to the seller:
Haslinger Nagele (Linz): Daniela Huemer, Johanna Fischer (both lead), Birgit Meisinger (all M&A), Alexander Hiersche (antitrust); Associate: Christoph Harringer (corporate; associate)
Rabel & Partner (Graz)
PZP Tax Consulting (Ried im Innkreis)

Press Release
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