After 25 years with DERTOUR Group, Leif Vase Larsen, CEO International, has decided to leave the company at his own request at the end of April 2026 to take up a new role outside the Group starting May 1, 2026.
Throughout his career, he has been recognised for leading multinational teams, shaping international market strategies across Europe, and driving digital and organisational transformation. His responsibilities included steering international expansion, harmonising operational structures, and strengthening the DERTOUR Group’s competitive position in the global tourism market.
Following his departure, Christoph Debus, CEO of DERTOUR Group, will oversee the international segment, covering the French, UK, Nordic and Benelux markets on an interim basis, ensuring stability and continuity during the transition period.
Christoph Debus comments: “I would like to thank Leif Vase Larsen for his commitment, strong leadership and many achievements over the past 25 years. He has played a key role in shaping and growing our international business, particularly our Nordic business. Leif has been a trusted and highly valued member of our leadership team, and I wish him every success in the future.”
Leif Vase Larsen adds: “Over the past 25 years, DERTOUR Group has been much more than a workplace to me, it has been an important part of my professional journey. I am deeply grateful for the trust placed in me, the opportunities I have been given, and the many talented colleagues who have inspired me along the way. The experiences we shared and the successes we achieved together will stay with me. As I begin a new chapter on May 1, I do so with great appreciation and many fond memories from my time with the Group.”
About Leif Vase Larsen
Leif Vase Larsen is an experienced international tourism executive with a long-standing leadership career across major European travel brands.
Leif Vase Larsen began his career within the former Kuoni organisation in 1999. In 2006, he was appointed CEO of Kuoni Nordic and became responsible for the sports resort Playitas and Kuoni Russia in 2007. In 2009, he was appointed to the Executive Board at Kuoni and assumed responsibility for Northern Europe. His role was extended to include all European tour operators at Kuoni in 2011. Following DERTOUR Group’s acquisition of Kuoni’s European tour operating business, he joined DERTOUR Group in 2015 and, as CEO of Northern Europe, became a member of the International Management Board the same year. Since January 1, 2023, he has served as CEO International of DERTOUR Group and he has served as CEO International of DERTOUR Group and member of the Group Executive Board.
Image material: Leif Vase Larsen
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Photo caption: Leif Vase Larsen, CEO International DERTOUR Group
Media contact
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Background:
DERTOUR Group has its head office in Cologne, Germany, and is REWE Group’s travel and tourism division. As one of Europe’s leading travel groups, DERTOUR Group encompasses approximately 200 companies and employs around 15,000 people worldwide. Every year, millions of guests travel with one of the Group’s tour operators or specialists. DERTOUR Group includes tour operators such as DERTOUR, ITS, Meiers Weltreisen, Kuoni, Helvetic Tours, ITS Coop Travel, Billa Reisen, Koning Aap, Apollo, Exim Tours and Fischer, as well as around 2,000 travel agencies (such as DERTOUR, DERPART, Kuoni, Exim, and Fischer, plus franchises and partners), the hotel brands Sentido, Aldiana, and ananea and the online travel agency Prijsvrij Vakanties. The DERTOUR Group also offers on-site support: The company runs an agency network with 71 offices in 31 travel destinations. The staff in the destination agencies assist the guests of the DERTOUR Group from their arrival at their holiday destination until their departure. For more information, go to www.dertour-group.com.