Armira has signed an agreement to acquire a majority stake in Viabus

Armira, a Germany-based investment firm, has signed an agreement to acquire a majority stake in Viabus, a leading Dutch tour operator focused on senior and young senior travelers.

The partnership with Armira marks an important next phase in Viabus’ development. Armira will help accelerate the company’s long-term strategy, supporting both organic growth and selective strategic initiatives. Rotrip Europe will reinvest alongside the other existing shareholders, safeguarding continuity and contributing valuable sector expertise through its strong track record and deep experience in leisure and travel assets.

Viabus offers a broad range of guided tours including coach tours, fly-coach trips, river cruises, long winter stays, tailored group travel options and self-drive holidays across Europe and beyond. The company continuously adapts its product offering by tailoring itineraries to evolving customer demand, drawing on traveler feedback, market trends and long-standing supplier relationships. This iterative approach has enabled Viabus to regularly introduce new travel options and destinations. The company comprises two complimentary core brands Bolderman and Effeweg, further diversified through specialty labels Diogenes, Destimundo and Van Nood.

Armira partners with entrepreneur-led and family-backed businesses and supports their long-term strategic development, with a focus on sustainable growth and value creation. The firm manages more than US$5.8 billion (€5 billion) in assets and is backed by a broad base of entrepreneurs, entrepreneurial families and long-term oriented investors. Armira provides full-lifecycle capital, ranging from minority growth investments to majority positions, and has completed over 30 platform investments. It has built a network of more than 100 industry advisors who actively support its portfolio companies.

Rotrip Europe is a family-owned investment firm with approximately 15 portfolio companies and a long-standing track record of investments in leisure assets and consumer-facing businesses. The firm works closely with management teams, combining financial backing with sector expertise to support sustainable long-term value creation.

Oaklins’ team in the Netherlands acted as the exclusive sell-side advisor to the shareholders of Viabus in this transaction. As part of the process, the debt advisory team also conducted a lender education procedure. This integrated approach highlights Oaklins’ strength as a full-service corporate finance house, seamlessly combining strategic M&A and debt advisory services to deliver maximum value for its clients. The transaction builds on Oaklins’ extensive experience in the leisure and travel sector and further deepens its insights into consumer-driven business models and sector-specific value drivers.

This transaction is pending customary closing conditions.