by Daniel Becht / Joachim Fischer
What opportunities can tourism offer young entrepreneurs in regards to the exploration and filling of market gaps and niches? What synergies are there for those involved? What are the benefits for the guest and what are those for Berlin?
These were key topics of the discussion roundtable of „Berliner Tourismus Dialog“ (Berlin Tourism Dialog) at “Ludwig Erhard Haus” in Berlin. The event series, established by Gerhard Kirsch, is gaining popularity by the month. It provides clever entrepreneurs with the opportunity to present their fresh business models and to establish contacts with experienced individuals from the hotel industry, politics, tourism and the hospitality industry, and the dedicated business people were glad to talk about the past and the future. The following renowned personalities from the Berlin tourism industry participated in the discussion moderated by Sascha Wolf (Editor-in-chief, CapitalContacts), promoting their projects.
Dr. Anselm Franz, Director of bboxx GmbH
Burkhard Kieker, Director of Berlin Tourismus Marketing GmbH
Helmut Russ, Organizer of WeihnachtsZauber Gendarmenmarkt
Michael Stiebitz, Director of M.A.X. 2001 Sportmarketing GmbH
Rosemarie Wirthmüller, Director of Antenna Audio GmbH
All participants agreed that the the crisis has not yet reached the tourism industry. At least, the demand for in- and outbound travel in Berlin remains strong.
„The figures are proving us right. In December of last year, we counted 600,000 visitors to ‘Berliner Weihnachtszauber’ at Gendarmenmarkt“, entrepreneur Helmut Russ states.
In 2003, the tradesman from Schleswig-Holstein presented „WeihnachtsZauber“ at Gendarmenmarkt for the first time. At the time, it was a risky undertaking to make a stand between 50 other Christmas markets. Today, the festive Gendarmenmarkt is an integral part of the Advent season.
It is a meeting place of high-class gastronomy, sophisticated entertainment and traditional craftsmanship. What makes the event special, is that Helmut Russ is committed to helping people on the fringes of society. He had positive news, as well: „The argument with the communities over entrance fees has been resolved. WeihnachtsZauber will continue in 2009.“
Rosemarie Wirthmüller, too, is quite satisfied with the finished business year. She is the director of Antenna Audio GmbH. „Our Wall guide was well-received by tourists. And the 20-year anniversary of the fall of the wall has us in an optimistic mood, of course“, the young entrepreneur says. In addition to the Berlin State Museums, the clients of the Antenna Audio Ltd. subsidiary include the „Pinakotheken“ in Munich, „Stiftung Preußische Schlösser“ (Prussian Castles Foundation) and „Gärten Berlin-Brandenburg“ (Berlin Brandenburg Gardens).
About 100 guests were attentively listening to the speakers’ business models and participated in the active exchange of ideas after the discussion. This enormous resonance is proof of the large acceptance of „Berliner Tourismus Dialog“. In the future, more entrepreneurs will be given the opportunity to present themselves and to enter into a dialog.
Host and moderator Sascha Wolf used this opportunity to promote his products, and quite obtrusively at times. Be it the presentation of „Das Corps“ and its services, the premises of „Die Botschaft von Berlin“ or his own magazine – a certain degree of discretion would have been appropriate, especially from the moderator and host.
Many attendees – it was a record number of more than 100 persons – missed a statement of the new Director of BTM, Burkhard Kieker, regarding his future plans, seeing that this was one his first public appearances in his young tenure. Rather than already well-known facts and opinions, the attendees wished to find out about the future and plans of BTM. After all, many are reliant on its success.
