UK-based luxury accommodation specialist Alpine Guru has been acquired by a Swiss travel agency for an undisclosed sum.
Its two brands – Villa Guru and Alpine Guru – will be retained by the new owners, Leo Trippi AG, an agency specialising in luxury chalet and villa rentals.
Alpine Guru founders Oliver Corkhill and Anthony Cullen will join Leo Trippi as shareholders and directors and all existing staff will be retained.
The UK company, which started five years ago, will continue to run from its existing office in Cirencester, Gloucestershire.
Corkhill said: "The synergy between Leo Trippi and Alpine Guru Ltd was inarguable and the joining of forces simply made perfect sense.
"Joining Leo Trippi is an incredibly exciting step towards our next phase of growth, working together to consolidate our position in the market as well as continuing to expand our portfolio of over 700 properties worldwide.
"Being part of the Leo Trippi Group leadership team will allow us the opportunity and resources to strategically grow each of the brands – the future is looking very bright."
Leo Trippi, which will remain based in Switzerland, acquired First Class Holidays in 2014, bolstering its market share within the luxury villa rental market.
Auret van Zyl, Leo Trippi co-founder and chairman, said: "Alpine Guru Ltd is an ideal fit for Leo Trippi.
"In terms of future plans, we plan to integrate the businesses and use this as a springboard for organic and inorganic growth, continuing to develop our positions as market leaders for chalet and villa rentals globally."
