Since March 2025, Christoph Debus has been the new man at the helm of the DERTOUR Group as CEO DERTOUR Group and Divisional Director Travel and Tourism. At his side since November: Boris Raoul as CEO DERTOUR Germany and Austria, as well as Chief Technology Officer DERTOUR Group. In the interview, they provide insights into their plans and strategies, the valuable cooperation with all colleagues and how technology will shape the working world in the future - and here and there, there's also a pinch of private life.
The interview was conducted by Nadine El Rahman.
one: Christoph, it's been a while since the famous 100 first days - time for us to ask: How does it feel to be CEO of Europe's second-largest travel group? Have you arrived?
Christoph Debus : My first time at DERTOUR was one thing above all: incredibly motivating. I spoke to teams in many countries, listened, looked at processes and tried out customer experiences myself. Being CEO of such a large travel company is more than just a title. This position comes with a great responsibility: towards our guests, our colleagues and our partners in the sales department. What I see makes me very confident - passionate people, great brands and a clear focus on quality and reliability. for me, 'having arrived' doesn't mean standing still, but picking up speed together with my colleagues: making the customer experience even easier and better, strengthening our specialists, using technology wisely and growing profitably together. In short: Yes, I've arrived - and we have big plans together."
Christoph Debus, ©DERTOUR Group
„Yes, I've arrived - and we have big plans together.“ Christoph Debus
one: Boris, since November you have been strengthening the company's top management as CEO DERTOUR Germany and Austria and, in your dual role, as Chief Technology Officer for the DERTOUR Group. How was your start at the DERTOUR Group?
Boris Raoul: I had an intensive and energetic start. My first summary: our basis is strong - passionate teams, great brands, a lot of desire for change. The travel agencies in Germany remain our centrepiece and at the same time we are giving digital even more impetus. With Tech & Touch, we are combining personal advice with smart technology to make recommendations faster, smarter and more personalised. As CTO of the DERTOUR Group, we are driving forward the modernisation of our platforms, data and interfaces - for more speed, stability and a seamless experience across all channels. I'm looking forward to everything that's coming!
one: You recently published your new summer programmes for Germany. What trends do you see?
Christoph Debus: We live in an experience economy. People want real experiences more than material goods, whether it's sports holidays, cultural trips or sophisticated round trips. For us as the DERTOUR Group, this is of course perfect: our great strength is organising trips and now being able to configure them very, very individually, always with the security that we offer our guests
one: If something special has become so important, are classic all-inclusive holidays still in demand?
Boris Raoul: Yes, it is still a stable factor. Especially in volatile times, all-inclusive holidays are very attractive - because they are not only individual, but also safe. In Turkey, for example, we continue to see growth. But it is also true that more and more people are booking four- or five-star hotels - comfort and service are important.
one: Which destinations do you recommend to your guests who don't want to or can't spend so much money?
Boris Raoul : Tunisia, Bulgaria and Thailand, for example. We are seeing very strong growth rates here for the coming summer because these countries offer very attractive value for money. Tunisia is up around 80 per cent, while package holiday bookings in Bulgaria are almost 60 per cent higher than last year.
one: You are still relying heavily on brick-and-mortar travel agencies, even though AI is booming. A model for the future?
Christoph Debus: We rely on the combination of personalised advice and state-of-the-art technology - "Tech & Touch". We are pursuing the path of technological change together with travel agency partners. We use technology and AI to make our offers and advice even better and more attractive for customers. We don't just think online, but always omnichannel. The travel agency of the future is personal, experience-oriented, increasingly specialised and, at DERTOUR, uses not only people as advisors but also very good technology.
one: Boris, in addition to your position as CEO of DERTOUR Germany and Austria, you are also Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of the DERTOUR Group. Technology versus people - are there two hearts beating in your chest?
Boris Raoul: I wouldn't want to separate the two at all. I want us to make technology available to our employees, enable them to use it and break down barriers. It's not about replacing people, but about using technology to make their working methods more efficient and to make many tasks easier for them.
„Our basis is strong - passionate teams, great brands, a great desire for change.“ Boris Raoul
one: Christoph, you recently presented the DERTOUR Group's new strategy to your employees - based on the pillars "Passion for our guests", "Profitability & Growth" and "Tech & Touch". What is behind these pillars?
Christoph Debus: The strategic pillars describe the direction and goals we are pursuing as a group.
We put our guests at the centre and don't just want to sell trips, we want to create unforgettable experiences. To achieve this, we focus on direct guest loyalty, exclusive hotel concepts and a first-class digital and personalised user experience.
Profitability and growth secure our future. They enable us to invest in employees, products and services.
Tech & Touch forms the basis. We use technology and AI to improve processes without losing the personal touch. At the same time, we promote a diverse, trusting team and take responsibility for a sustainable future for tourism. When everyone feels heard and valued, we increase satisfaction and shared success.
one: How has the new strategy been received by your employees?
Christoph Debus: The feedback I have received shows that the new strategy has been well received: The new strategy has met with broad approval, is perceived as transparent and future-orientated and motivates employees to get actively involved. I am very grateful for this active commitment from our employees.
Of course, it is being implemented very differently in the individual markets. This is because the starting situations, customer requirements and competitive conditions vary greatly from region to region. These differences are deliberately planned for: The strategic pillars provide the common framework, but the specific implementation is flexible, adapted to local circumstances and opportunities. In this way, we ensure that each country can successfully realise the strategy at its own pace and with the appropriate measures.
one: The acquisition and integration of the Hotelplan Group into the DERTOUR Group is a significant step for the international orientation of the company. What are the key objectives of this integration and how do you ensure that the strengths of both organisations are optimally utilised?
Christoph Debus: Our primary goal is to move forward as one group and combine the best elements of both organisations. We are modernising our structures, retaining strong brands and focusing on efficiency and profitable growth. The integration is not a standard process - it takes into account local market needs in Switzerland, Germany and the UK. We are impressed by the professionalism and commitment of our new colleagues at Hotelplan. Together, we are currently making good progress with the integration and are creating a future-proof organisation that offers our customers an even more diverse offering and a seamless service experience as one team.
one: Last but not least, what are your most important goals for the new year?
Christoph Debus: In the new year, I would like to focus above all on the rapid implementation of our strategy in all markets - for profitable, sustainable growth of our Group.
Boris Raoul: And I want to accelerate the technological transformation of the DERTOUR Group and at the same time strengthen our market position in Germany and Austria - with concrete tech & touch initiatives. Thank you for the interview.
Boris Raoul © DERTOUR Group
one: Boris, I actually thought I knew my way around dialects... but I can't quite place yours?
Boris Raoul (laughs): No wonder...I've been living in Munich for over 20 years now, but I'm actually half French and half Austrian. And now I regularly commute to Cologne and Frankfurt to our DERTOUR Group headquarters. Who knows, maybe a few Rhenish and Hessian sounds will be added to the mix..
one: When you're not travelling for work, how do you spend your day?
Boris Raoul: My wife and I have two children - they are 17 and nine. We try to spend as much time together as possible as a family. As long as the two kids still want that...my 17-year-old has other priorities, of course.
one: What was your first touchpoint with Travel and Tourism?
Boris Raoul : When I was 19, I was a tour guide in the front of a bus - full of Austrian holidaymakers - and drove across Europe.
one: What motivates you?
Boris Raoul : I have a lot of curiosity in me and believe that we can learn throughout our lives. And that's exactly what motivates me - to apply what I've learnt and to share it with my teams.
one: What are the qualities that you value most in your employees, or would like to see in them?
Boris Raoul: Openness, initiative and team spirit - these are the qualities I value most in my employees. Openness to new ideas and changes, because our industry is constantly changing. Initiative to recognise opportunities and take responsibility. And team spirit, because only together can we achieve the big goals.
