Rainbow Tours S.A., one of Poland’s leading tour operators, has announced a strategic acquisition of a 70% stake in Paralela 45, a renowned Romanian travel agency. Paralela 45 is one of the oldest and most recognized tourism brands in Romania. The remaining 30% of shares will be acquired in stages by 2030, marking a significant step in Rainbow’s long-term development strategy.
On May 15, a preliminary share purchase agreement was signed for the acquisition of Paralela 45 Turism S.R.L. The final agreement is expected to be completed by the end of June 2025, following the fulfillment of standard closing conditions, including approval from the Romanian Competition Authority.
Rainbow Tours is one of the largest tour operators in the Polish travel market. Over the years, the company has actively expanded its sales presence beyond Poland, collaborating with local partners in neighboring countries such as the Czech Republic, Ukraine, Slovakia, and Lithuania. This regional approach enables customers across Central and Eastern Europe to access a wide range of travel services. The acquisition of Paralela 45 represents another milestone in Rainbow’s international expansion.
“Romania is a fast-growing market with increasing interest in organized international travel. Rising GDP per capita, measured by purchasing power parity, is fueling a surge in outbound tourism. We believe our 35 years of experience and know-how will significantly enhance Paralela 45’s offering and strengthen its market position,” said Maciej Szczechura, CEO of Rainbow Tours S.A.
Founded in 1990, Paralela 45 serves over 100,000 customers annually. The company offers a wide variety of vacation packages to popular destinations such as Turkey, Greece, Egypt, Tunisia, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Cyprus, and the United Arab Emirates, with departures from all major airports across Romania. It also has a strong portfolio of guided tours, with around 160 travel programs conducted annually on every continent. In addition, the company maintains a strong domestic travel offering, including trips to the Black Sea coast and the Carpathian Mountains, as well as customized holidays, luxury inbound services, and business travel.
Paralela 45 operates a network of 50 branches in Romania’s largest cities and employs 220 staff. Drawing on its extensive experience, Rainbow plans to expand Paralela 45’s product portfolio by introducing new travel segments and innovative business solutions. The goal is to increase the company’s competitiveness and better align its offerings with the evolving expectations of modern travelers.
Over the past three years, Rainbow Tours has recorded double-digit growth in both revenues and the number of customers served. The company has reinvested part of its profits into growth initiatives, allowing it to strengthen its market position and diversify its product range. In December 2024, Rainbow finalized the purchase of a hotel on the island of Kos. The acquisition of Paralela 45 is the latest step in the execution of its long-term development strategy.
Source: ManagerPlus.pl
