TORONTO — Omio Group has entered into an agreement to acquire Rail Europe in a move that would bring together one of the world’s largest multimodal travel platforms with one of the rail industry’s best-known distribution brands.

Speaking with Travelweek, Björn Bender, CEO and Executive Chairman of Rail Europe, said the proposed acquisition has the potential to simplify one of the travel industry’s most complex products for advisors to sell by making European rail easier to search, book and incorporate into multi-country itineraries.

“European rail is a very strong product, but it is still a complicated one to sell,” said Bender. “Advisors often have to navigate different operators, fare structures, reservation rules and booking systems. Rail Europe’s role has always been to absorb that complexity and present it in a way the travel trade can use.”

If approved, the transaction would create one of the largest rail distribution businesses globally, selling more than 22 million train tickets annually, working with more than 28,000 transport operators and travel sellers, and serving customers across more than 70 countries.

The proposed acquisition remains subject to a consultation process with Rail Europe’s Comité Social et Économique (CSE) in France before it can be completed.

WHAT THE DEAL MEANS FOR ADVISORS

Under the proposed agreement, Rail Europe would continue operating under its established brand while benefiting from Omio Group’s technology, platform capabilities and multimodal inventory. That means there will be no immediate changes for travel advisors, industry partners or customers.

Looking ahead, however, Bender believes the combination has the potential to make European rail significantly easier to sell.

“When the proposed transaction is completed, Omio’s technology, platform capabilities and scale will strengthen that work,” he told Travelweek. “Over time, it could make it easier to search and compare a wider range of options, build cross-border and multi-country itineraries, and connect rail more naturally with other parts of the journey.”

For advisors, the benefits would be practical, he added.

“It should give advisors broader choice, clearer booking processes and greater confidence when recommending European rail to their clients. It should also give advisors more time for the part technology cannot replace – understanding the traveller and designing the right trip for them.”

Because the acquisition remains subject to consultation and regulatory processes, Bender noted that it is too early to outline a detailed product roadmap. “But the direction is clear: we want to make European rail easier for advisors to sell and easier for their clients to experience.”

RAIL DEMAND CONTINUES TO GROW

The proposed acquisition comes as rail travel continues to gain momentum, particularly among travellers looking to explore multiple European destinations in a single trip.

According to Omio Group, the global rail market is projected to exceed US$300 billion by 2032 as governments across Europe invest hundreds of billions of euros in rail infrastructure to increase capacity and encourage a shift away from road and air travel.

Bender said Canadian travellers are particularly well suited to rail travel because they often combine several destinations during a single European vacation.

“Rail works particularly well for the way many Canadians experience Europe,” he said. “After taking a long-haul flight across the Atlantic, they often want to visit more than one destination. Rail allows them to travel from city centre to city centre, with more space, fewer airport formalities and the flexibility to combine major capitals with smaller cities and regions.”

He added that for many travellers, the journey itself has become part of the vacation.

“For many Canadian visitors, travelling on Europe’s high-speed rail network is also part of the experience itself. Rather than simply being a means of getting from one place to another, the train becomes a memorable part of the trip.”

While sustainability continues to influence travel decisions, Bender believes convenience and the overall guest experience remain the biggest drivers.

“Sustainability is certainly part of the appeal, but convenience and the quality of the experience are usually what turn that interest into a booking.”

Rail Europe data released earlier this year also points to growing demand from North American travellers. Although the company combines Canadian and U.S. figures, North American users accounted for nearly half of all sessions on the Rail Europe platform in 2025. Among those travellers, 94% booked one-way tickets while 53% combined multiple rail journeys within a single booking, highlighting the popularity of flexible, multi-city itineraries.

Broader travel trends support that growth. Statistics Canada reported that Canadian residents made 14.2 million trips to overseas destinations in 2025, up 9.2% from 2024 and nearly 15% above 2019 levels. Meanwhile, the European Travel Commission reported Canadian arrivals to Europe increased 9.6% year over year between January and November 2025.

“These are not rail-only figures,” said Bender, “but they show sustained demand for European travel from Canada – and the kind of multi-destination travel Canadians favour is particularly well suited to rail.”

BUILDING A LARGER DISTRIBUTION BUSINESS

Once completed, the acquisition would see Rail Europe join Omio Group’s portfolio alongside its consumer booking platform, B2B distribution business and travel discovery brand, Rome2Rio.

Jean-Francois Bessiron, Chief B2B Officer at Omio Group, said the proposed combination would help modernize rail distribution.

“This deal marks a transformative moment for the future of global ground transport,” said Bessiron. “Omio and Rail Europe would give the industry a player with the technology and scale to make connected, accessible, and affordable train travel a reality for all. The sector has been constrained by outdated systems and controlled by dominant players for far too long.”

Bender said the companies complement one another.

“The past few years have been transformational for Rail Europe. With our teams and partners, we built an independent business and a unique position in the global rail industry,” he said. “For the next chapter, Omio and Rail Europe are a natural fit. Omio brings significant scale and transformative technology. Rail Europe adds considerable rail experience, a trusted international consumer brand, and the strongest B2B distribution network.”

Looking ahead, he sees North America – including Canada – as a key growth market.

“The bigger opportunity is not simply to sell more train tickets,” Bender told Travelweek. “It is to make rail a natural part of the conversation from the moment a Canadian traveller begins planning a trip to Europe.”

Lead image caption: Björn Bender, CEO and Executive Chairman of Rail Europe