Around 100,000 customers travel to all continents every year with Twerenbold Reisen Gruppe – by bus, boat, plane, bike or on foot. The traditional Swiss family business is now in its fourth generation and is based in Baden. On departure days, it is very busy: At peak times, up to 20 coaches leave the bus station early in the morning. 150 dedicated employees ensure that every trip is an unforgettable experience for the guests. For company owner Karim Twerenbold, one thing is clear: "Our employees are at the heart of everything we do. They give the company a face. A way of working characterized by mutual respect and short decision-making processes makes us particularly adaptable and strong in the dynamic travel industry."
I value its generosity, especially in terms of social benefits, but also the freedom and the trust placed in me.
Astrid Holenweger, Head of Sales and Tour Operating
Twerenbold Reisen Gruppe would not be Twerenbold Reisen Gruppe without its people. This becomes tangible during conversations, when looking at the fleet of 80 coaches, and when considering the diversity of the teams: from a 16-year-old apprentice to a 78-year-old veteran, from part-time workers to seasonal employees. Twerenbold is valued not only as a travel provider, but also as an employer. Remo Blättler lives near the bus station and watched events at the Twerenbold site from his garden for years: "I just waited until the right job was advertised," he says, his eyes shining. Today he works as Head of Bike Logistics and discovered his passion for gravel bikes at a company event with former Swiss professional cyclist Franco Marvulli. The Head of Sales and Tour Operating, Astrid Holenweger, has been with the company for 13 years, and has been in the travel industry for four decades. She knows why the company is so popular as an employer: "I value its generosity, especially in terms of social benefits, but also the freedom and the trust placed in me." The Baden-based family business invests strategically in its employees: Six weeks of vacation, flexible working hours, and a modern retirement provision solution strengthen the company's position as an attractive employer. Securing the future and employee loyalty go hand in hand. Everyone benefits from this appreciative environment – including the customers.
With the optional savings plan you can take personal responsibility, but we are also well supported and informed by our employer.
Markus Freund, Head of Finance
Personal responsibility and flexibility are very important to the Baden-based family business. For this reason, it's important to the management team to offer their employees a pension fund solution that comes with options. The coordination deduction is adjusted to the degree of employment, and the savings contributions are up to 3 percent above the statutory minimum. Employees can also choose between three different optional savings plans.
Markus Freund, Head of Finance, explains: "The decision to opt for higher-value retirement provision strategies was made quickly. We wanted to optimize the retirement provision for our employees and give them the greatest possible flexibility and personal responsibility."
Twerenbold employees choose the savings plan that suits their life situation and can also increase their own savings contribution. An optional savings plan enables them to pay more into their pension fund and thus actively shape their occupational retirement provision. "The idea of optional savings plans fits in perfectly with our corporate philosophy of personal responsibility and flexibility," explains Markus Freund. The offer was surprisingly popular: 47 percent of employees have opted for a higher-value savings plan. Astrid Holenweger is one of them – she chose the maximum savings contribution, the "Maxi Plan", and says: "With the optional savings plan you can take personal responsibility, but we are also well supported and informed by our employer."
Regular information events and individual advisory services ensure that all generations are addressed in a customized manner. For the young bicycle logistics specialist, Remo Blättler, the topic of retirement provision is still a long way off. He has started with a standard plan, knowing that he can adapt the model at any time.
A rough wind is blowing in the travel industry: One that is characterized by individualization, digitalization and geopolitical uncertainties. "We focus on flexibility, using our own resources and investing in digital development – for example, with Wi-Fi on buses and new online services," explains company owner Karim Twerenbold. Employees are experiencing firsthand how information and booking behavior is changing. Customers are extremely well informed nowadays and expect transparency and flexibility. "Even in challenging times, we have recognized opportunities and continued to develop." Helping to shape innovations motivates the workforce and creates space for further development.
Last year, the family business celebrated its 130th anniversary. Over the years, Twerenbold Reisen Gruppe has positioned itself as a pioneer in sustainable and environmentally conscious travel. What sets the company apart is its innovative strength, the family's personal commitment, and its proximity to customers – something that is visible in its broad base of regular customers. The average customer is 70.5 years old – a business with a future if you look at the boomer generation.
Traveling means much more than just discovering new places – it creates experiences. For Karim Twerenbold, it represents precious family moments, such as building a boat or unforgettable concerts. Astrid Holenweger has fond memories of a Nile cruise with her colleagues. Remo Blätter raves about his gravel race with Franco Marvulli, the former professional cyclist, and Markus Freund fondly remembers his rental car tour in Oman. Everyone agrees: Travel means joy, curiosity and community – and is therefore more than just a product. It’s what connects people and gives their company a soul.
Every year 100,000 customers travel with Twerenbold Reisen Gruppe to all continents. They travel by bus, boat, plane, bicycle or on foot. The company has 350 full-time employees. The following tour operators are part of Twerenbold Reisen Gruppe: Twerenbold Reisen, the specialist for coach, music and bike tours; Excellence Cruises –Travel agency Mittelthurgau, a leading provider of river cruises and cruise ship holidays; Imbach Reisen, an expert for hiking vacations; and Vögele Reisen, the specialist for adventure trips. Twerenbold Reisen Gruppe’s fleet includes over 70 of its own coaches, ten Excellence river boats and the motor yacht Excellence Nera. Founded in Baden in 1895, the family business is one of the oldest owner-managed SMEs in the tourism sector in Switzerland.
