Solmar Villas has been acquired by Der Touristik UK, aiming to lead in the villa market.
- John and Maria Tayler’s family-run Solmar Villas joins Der Touristik UK’s portfolio.
- Der Touristik UK plans significant growth for Solmar Villas, leveraging its extensive network.
- Julie Blake to remain managing director, ensuring continuity and growth.
- The acquisition supports both companies in broadening their market reach and offerings.
Solmar Villas has been officially acquired by Der Touristik UK, the parent company of Kuoni, in a strategic move to expand its collection of specialised travel businesses. Founded nearly three decades ago by John and Maria Tayler, Solmar Villas has established itself as a reputable provider in the villa holiday sector, now becoming part of a broader portfolio that includes several distinguished brands such as Carrier, CV Villas, and Journey Latin America.
The acquisition permits Solmar Villas to be marketed through Kuoni’s 27 physical stores and maintains its collaboration with independent travel agencies across the nation. Der Touristik UK has expressed a clear ambition to elevate Solmar Villas into a leading position within the villa market, seeing the acquisition as an ideal match with its current upmarket villa specialist brand, CV Villas, which has a strong presence in Greece.
Solmar Villas boasts a diverse range of options, with more than 1,600 private villas, featuring over 1,000 exclusive villas across key destinations such as Spain, Portugal, and other Mediterranean locales. This wide-ranging portfolio allows for a flexible pricing strategy, making the brand attractive to a broad customer base.
Julie Blake, daughter of the founders and current owner, continues to steer the company as managing director. She will report directly to Francis Torrilla, Chief Executive of Der Touristik UK, ensuring a seamless leadership transition. Plans are already in place to grow the company further and to create additional employment opportunities as part of the expansion strategy.
Francis Torrilla commented, “The acquisition enhances and complements our existing portfolio of independently managed businesses, enabling us to drive substantial growth in the villa market. It provides us with a broader range of price points across our specialist brands, allowing us to remain relevant to more customers while always focusing on value and quality.”
Julie Blake noted, “The success of Solmar Villas has been driven by a team committed to delivering high-quality villas coupled with excellent customer service. We have created strong partnerships with villa owners, suppliers, and clients alike, which will remain integral to our mission as we move forward under Der Touristik’s stewardship.”
The combination of Solmar Villa’s established market presence and Der Touristik’s resources is expected to pave the way for further growth opportunities, reinforcing its position as a formidable player in the villa industry.
The acquisition signifies a pivotal step forward in strengthening both Solmar Villas and Der Touristik UK’s market presence and capabilities.
