TUI Group hosted its first Innovation and Growth Summit aboard Mein Schiff Flow in the Port of Kiel.
Together with the state of Schleswig-Holstein, the cruise line welcomed around 100 guests from politics, business and science.
Under the heading “Strategies and Priorities for Germany and Europe,” the event covered topics such as artificial intelligence and digital sovereignty, power grids as critical infrastructure and sustainable mobility.
TUI CEO Sebastian Ebel co-hosted the event with Claus Ruhe Madsen, Minister for Economic Affairs, Transport, Labor, Technology and Tourism, and Dirk Schrödter, Head of the State Chancellery and Minister for Digitalization and Media Policy of the state of Schleswig-Holstein.
The debate began with an assessment of the current situation, noting the issues Germany, which was once the engine of growth in Europe, now faces, from slower growth forecasts and missing the digital revolution, to the need to upgrade future-oriented infrastructure such as the energy grid, paired with high energy costs and dependency on technologies like AI.
“We should stop telling each other what isn’t working. Germany has strong companies, a high-performing SME sector, good universities, and people who want to make a difference. What we lack is a real plan and the will to implement it. Focus and speed are crucial,” said Ebel.
“That’s precisely why we’ve brought together business, politics, and science in Kiel today: We’re not stopping at analysis, but want to discuss concrete solutions and priorities together.”
Ebel presented areas for discussion aimed at bringing Germany and Europe back onto a growth path and towards greater innovation.
This included ideas ranging from accelerating permitting processes and reducing bureaucracy to targeted investments in key industries, fostering the talents and skills of tomorrow, and ensuring competitive energy costs.
One of the conclusions was that Europe and Germany should consciously leverage their strengths and prioritize them clearly.
Artificial intelligence is one of the major growth areas of the coming years and was therefore a central focus of the summit, with the focus shifting to networks and mobility in the afternoon.
Wybcke Meyer, CEO of TUI Cruises, Ida Wolf of Mercedes-Benz and Bertel Maigaard, founder of Biocirc, discussed how technology and new fuels can make sustainable mobility economically viable.
“Today is not about making wish lists to politicians. Both companies and the government have to deliver. We at TUI are investing in AI, in more efficient ships and aircraft, and in the destinations where we operate. What we expect from politicians are reliable framework conditions and decisions that enable growth,” noted Ebel.
