On 1 January 2010, M-Travel Switzerland will be taking over the successful bta Holding AG with the acquisition of a controlling stake. As a result, the business travel brand FCm First Business Travel, which is already part of M-Travel Switzerland, will be integrated in bta Holding AG. The business travel brands will now be known under the name bta First Travel AG. In the business travel sector and in particular for SMEs, bta ranks in the top 4 of Swiss business travel organizers. M-TravelSwitzerland is consequently continuing its adopted strategy and is expanding into promising niche markets.

The bta group is one of the leading independent travel companies in Switzerland with a turnover of approx. CHF 80 million. With its innovative, future-orientated range of services, tailored precisely to the requirements of the market, the bta group has become one of the best operators of the Swiss travel market. In addition to its core business of business travel management, bta also offers holiday and group travel, incentive, congress travel and event management. bta operates 10 branches employing 80 persons in Switzerland. The merger with FCm First Business Travel will further strengthen the company's position.

In addition to the six travel brands Denner Reisen, Migros Ferien, Hotelplan, Tourisme Pour Tous, Travelhouse and Globus Reisen, M-Travel Switzerland also strengthen its business travel division with the new name bta First Travel AG, improving the diversification of the activity portfolio of M-Travel Switzerland in the Business Travel sector.

"We are delighted that two sound and successful companies have found each other and about the acquisition of the interest", explained Thomas Stirnimann, CEO of M-Travel Switzerland. "bta ideally complements our existing product FCm First Business Travel with its 42 employees. The profitable company enjoys an excellent reputation in the sector, has excellent staff and a loyal customer base."

Markus Ruch remains the CEO of the new bta First Travel AG and takes over the leadership of the entire bta First Travel AG business travel division in Steinhausen/Zug as of 1 January 2010. Both parties agreed not to disclose the purchase price.