The aim of the investment is to grow in the Italian market with additional hotels. A-ROSA, aja and Henri Hotels as well as brands from the hotel portfolio of the joint venture partner DER Travel and Tourism are to be created in Italy in future by taking over existing properties and building new ones. The main focus will be on Lake Garda, the Adriatic, Tuscany, the Italian Alps and the most attractive tourist cities.

"With our entry into the Italian market and the associated internationalisation, we are pursuing our growth strategy beyond our current strengths in the DACH market," explains Karl J. Pojer, CEO of DSR Hotel Holding. "By expanding into Italy, we are sustainably tapping into a new target and source market for all brands in the DSR portfolio and strengthening our leading role in the leisure hotel industry in Europe. This is also in the interests of our joint venture partner, DER Travel and Tourism Group."

This is also confirmed by Georg Schmickler, CEO Group Hotel Division of DER Travel and Tourism and member of the Advisory Board of DSR Hotelholding: "We welcome this step, which enables us to expand our high-quality hotel portfolio in the Italian market."

Horst Rahe, managing director of the parent company Deutsche Seereederei, emphasises: "The Italian market is very attractive for our guests - conversely, Germany is also a preferred destination for Italians. This results in synergies with which we will strengthen sustainable, earthbound tourism in Europe."

MIRA and DSR Hotels will remain independent brands even after the investment. The approximately 300 employees will remain with MIRA. The two managing directors and founders Daniela Righi and Alessandro Vadagnini, who hold 25 per cent of the shares, will manage the business locally in Italy. Alessandro Vadagnini is primarily responsible for expansion.