Sustainable Tourism Development: DI Tourismusforschung and Ostseefjord Schlei GmbH Agree to Close Collaboration
FH Westküste University of Applied Sciences and Ostseefjord Schlei GmbH have strengthened their partnership and signed a cooperation agreement on December 3, 2025, at the campus in Heide. Both partners aim to expand the exchange between academia and industry in order to further advance the sustainable development of the Schlei region.
At the heart of the agreement is the regular exchange of knowledge, which is intended to benefit both parties. In the future, specialized topics with practical relevance will be identified and discussed jointly. The goal is to provide impetus for the work of the participating institutions and to leverage the synergies that arise from close coordination.
For the German Institute for Tourism Research at the FH Westküste University of Applied Sciences, this partnership opens up new opportunities. The region expressly supports the institute’s efforts to use the Schlei region as a real-world laboratory for research projects. This allows scientific insights to be gained right where tourism actually takes place—a benefit for applied research in Schleswig-Holstein.
In addition to research, the aim is also to strengthen academic exchange. Ostseefjord Schlei GmbH, for example, is planning guest lectures and internship opportunities for students. The goal is to deepen the connection between higher education and regional practice.
FH President Professor Dr. Anja Wollesen sees the partnership as an important step for the university’s development:
“This collaboration supports our goal of becoming the most sustainable university in Schleswig-Holstein. By closely integrating research, teaching, and regional practice, we are providing important impetus for responsible development both in the Schlei region and for our own institutional transformation.”
Prof. Dr. Anne Köchling, Vice Director of the German Institute for Tourism Research, also emphasizes the importance of this for research:
“Ostseefjord Schlei GmbH is already one of the pioneers of sustainable destination development in Germany. For us at the German Institute for Tourism Research, it offers ideal conditions for testing innovative concepts directly in a real-world laboratory and working together to gain new insights for sustainable tourism practices.”
Max Triphaus, managing director of Ostseefjord Schlei GmbH, adds:
“For many years, we have maintained excellent relations with FH Westküste University of Applied Sciences, which we are solidifying with this cooperation agreement. Ostseefjord Schlei GmbH is interested in testing new scientific findings and applying them at an early stage amid a very dynamic market environment. Through this ongoing exchange, I expect new impetus for the region.”
With this new agreement, both partners are sending a clear message in support of strengthening the region and promoting tourism development that is scientifically guided and designed to be sustainable in the long term.
