In view of the departure of Sören Hartmann, CEO DER Travel and Tourism Group, at the end of the year, there was also an outlook on the new management structure at the conference in Travemünde: REWE Group CEO Lionel Souque, who will take over responsibility for the Travel and Tourism business at the end of the year, presented the newly appointed Executive Board of DER Travel and Tourism Group. We met the three members of the future Executive Board, Ingo Burmester (CEO Central Europe), Leif Vase Larsen (CEO International) and Boris Schnabel (CFO Group) for an interview to find out more about their plans for the coming year.

one: First of all, congratulations on your new roles. How did this year's International Management Days feel for you personally?

Boris Schnabel: For me, this year's conference was very special: when we look back on what we have achieved together, we all realise how difficult the last two and a half years have really been. And above all, how crucial it is to work hand in hand - as a strong team.

Leif Vase Larsen: That's absolutely right, Boris - ONE strong team. For the three of us, it was absolutely crucial to build on this exceptional team spirit at DER Travel and Tourism, which helped us get through the pandemic, and to take it into account in our joint strategy for the Group.

Ingo Burmester: In addition, it was a great experience to meet with colleagues from all regions and divisions in one room - especially because we have mostly only been able to meet digitally over the past two years. This open exchange at eye level will be very important for us as we move closer together as ONE group. Together with the Extended Executive Team, we are looking forward to establishing a new level of collaboration and dialogue within the Group.

Dr Ingo Burmester, CEO Central Europe © DER Travel and Tourism Group

one: In line with the title of this year's conference "Today. Tomorrow. Together": where do we stand today as DER Travel and Tourism Group? And where will the journey take us?

Ingo Burmester: These were the last International Management Days for Sören Hartmann as CEO of DER Travel and Tourism Group. We have therefore taken the time to look back on his outstanding achievements over the last decade. Under his leadership, we have grown incredibly over the last ten years and have become the second largest tourism group in Europe today. We have expanded from three to sixteen source markets and now hold significant market shares in all regions.

Boris Schnabel: And let's not forget the development of an extensive, fully integrated DMC network and a rapidly growing hotel division. Our products now cover the entire value chain. These are enormous successes that we have achieved under the leadership of Sören Hartmann. All three of us are grateful that we can build on such a strong foundation for the future.

one: How would you describe the next chapter that lies ahead?

Leif Vase Larsen: We are now experiencing a rapid recovery in the tourism industry. This is a crucial phase that will determine who will be among the leaders of the future travel industry. We are therefore convinced that now is the time to utilise the full strength of our international group. If we move even closer together as ONE Group, this will make us much stronger, more resilient and more present in the market than before, and we will also benefit from synergies.

one: You say that this phase is crucial for our future. What challenges do we face? What issues do we need to tackle?

Boris Schnabel: At the same time, we need to sharpen our operational focus and strengthen our resilience - especially in view of rising inflation and higher energy prices. And, of course, we need to respond to the increasing staff shortage that is severely affecting our entire industry. Our future success will continue to depend on the loyalty, commitment and passion of our employees and we must utilise the strength of the Group to attract and retain international talent.

Boris Schnabel, CFO Group © DER Travel and Tourism Group

one: Acting together as ONE Group - how can we visualise this?

Leif Vase Larsen: Acting together means that we all drive forward a common Group strategy that defines customer focus, digital services and product exclusivity as strategic pillars and places them at the centre of our business. We want to be close to our customers and use data analyses to anticipate trends. We want to improve digital convenience for our customers - with intelligent services and applications that make booking holidays extremely easy and more personalised. And we want to offer exclusive products, also to prominently present our hotels and DMC services.

Ingo Burmester: A more international and more integrated structure requires more intensive coordination across the regions and divisions. Accordingly, our colleagues in Group functions will intensify dialogue with their specialist areas across the regions. We will also create new Group functions to complement the structure.

Boris Schnabel: As part of the new strategy, we will also introduce new processes and guiding principles that will enable us to work towards the same goals.

one: How can we benefit from the collaboration?

Ingo Burmester: Our aim is to intelligently utilise the expertise and best practices of the entire Group. This step will enable us to benefit from each other and establish a genuine "end-to-end" mindset. Let me give you a few examples: If we use the extensive knowledge and stable network of our DMCs in the destinations when realising new hotel projects, this will help us to create a better travel experience, integrate destination services at an early stage and develop exclusive products. And if we also utilise the experience and best practices of digitally mature markets such as Scandinavia or Eastern Europe, this will also help us with the digital transformation in the DACH region.

Leif Vase Larsen, CEO International © DER Travel and Tourism Group

one: Speaking of digital transformation - what role will digitalisation play in our Group strategy?

Leif Vase Larsen: Digitalisation will be an important driver for our increased customer focus and will help us to better understand and bundle customer data along the value chain. Digital services will therefore be a cornerstone of our Group strategy and help us to maximise digital convenience - from booking to the travel experience itself.

one: Back to the structure. How will decision-making processes work in future? Will the new structure allow for quick decisions?

Ingo Burmester: We all know that the market requires a quick response. The flight situation this summer has clearly demonstrated this. It is therefore extremely important for us to set clear operational priorities that allow us to react quickly and in a well-coordinated manner at an operational level. This is also the reason why all of our core competences are represented on the Executive Board.

Boris Schnabel: We will also be working closely with Lionel Souque, the CEO of REWE Group, which will ensure fast decision-making processes at REWE Group level and further strengthen our position within REWE Group.

one: Thank you very much for the interview.

The interview was conducted by Marion ten Haaf, Director Group Communications, DER Travel and Tourism Group.