The Austrian tourism group’s first hotel is being built in the popular Baltic Sea resort of Grömitz in the Bay of Lübeck
Vienna (OTS) – It’s fixed – the Falkensteiner Michaeler Tourism Group (FMTG) is opening its first hotel in Germany and is taking another important step in its expansion plans. In the municipality of Grömitz, the famous Baltic Sea resort in the Bay of Lübeck, a 4 star superior/5 star Falkensteiner family resort will be built by 2027 as part of the Premium Collection. Further locations in Germany are being planned.
Shortly before Christmas the time had come – the Falkensteiner Michaeler Tourism Group (FMTG) was awarded the contract for its first hotel on the German market. The community of Grömitz in the Bay of Lübeck, one of the oldest seaside resorts on the Baltic Sea, was looking for an ideal hotel partner for the location in the area above the marina. After several interested investors and operators applied for the attractive new building project, the contract was unanimously awarded to the Austrian hotel group at the end of the year. By 2027, FMTG will develop a premium family resort in Grömitz in the Bay of Lübeck, thereby opening its first hotel in Germany. An important next step in the tourism group’s expansion strategy. Construction is scheduled to begin in summer 2025.
„The famous seaside resort of Grömitz is, at its core, a family holiday resort. We see great potential here to exploit synergies in the destination offering
“, says Erich Falkensteiner, Chairman of the FMTG Supervisory Board. “The location in the Bay of Lübeck is also perfect. Due to our proximity to important metropolitan areas such as Hamburg or Berlin, we address completely new target groups that we would like to attract as Falkensteiner guests
.“
According to the image ranking of the business and news magazine GEWINN, Falkensteiner is already the most popular tourism brand among Austrians. But the proportion of German guests in the family-run group’s hotels, especially from the southern federal states, has also been of great importance for decades. With the new location on the Baltic Sea, this is now to be expanded to cover the entire federal territory: “Around 25% of our guests already come from Germany. This makes our neighboring country one of the most important core markets for our group
“, says Otmar Michaeler, CEO of FMTG. “It has long been our goal to gain a foothold in Germany with our own hotel. With the new location in Grömitz, we can now finally implement our successful strategy – running our own hotels in our guests’ home markets – in Germany too. We are very pleased about the contract for this great hotel project and the trust the community of Grömitz has in our hotel group
.“
Exclusive Falkensteiner family resort with an edutainment concept
The new building project will be built over the next three years. Above the Grömitz marina, FMTG is developing a Falkensteiner family resort in the 4 star superior/5 star segment as part of the Premium Collection with around 130 rooms, suites and apartments. The family product is rounded off by a high-quality food & beverage concept as well as a SPA area. But the focus is on the youngest guests. The hotel concept is tailor-made for them, without neglecting the parents’ vacation and relaxation needs.
The plan is to have spacious family and children’s areas as well as a multifaceted entertainment program with educational approaches, child care and an adults-only area for parents. “The demands and expectations of families on their vacation have changed significantly and are becoming ever higher. In addition, the demand for family vacations in the upscale hotel segment is growing rapidly. We are certainly pioneers in Europe in this niche and have already successfully implemented innovative family projects in Austria, Italy and Croatia
explains Erich Falkensteiner. “All of our know-how in this area will also flow into the project in Grömitz in the Bay of Lübeck
.“
Innovative holiday concept aims to strengthen the region and year-round tourism
The new Falkensteiner product on Lübeck’s Baltic Sea beach is intended to become an attractive all-year-round holiday offer for families and thus also strengthen year-round tourism and companies in the region and appeal to new guest target groups: “With the FMTG and its very clear positioning within the ‘family’ target group, we are getting a completely new hotel product for Grömitz, which has never been found anywhere else on the German Baltic Sea coast
“, Manfred Wohnrade, head of the Grömitz Tourism Service, emphasizes the importance of the project. And Sebastian Rieke, mayor of Grömitz, is also convinced of the decision to work with the FMTG: “I am very pleased that the local council unanimously decided in favor of Falkensteiner. This clearly shows the importance of the hotel project for our town and, above all, that it is wanted by all political factions. A hotel concept that, in my opinion, will enrich Grömitz and make it more diverse
.“
Further locations in Germany are already being planned
The Falkensteiner Hotel in Grömitz is the first step. Further projects in Germany are to follow over the next few years: “We see five to six other locations in comparably good locations in Germany in the medium term and are looking for more in both the hotel and premium camping sectors
“, says Otmar Michaeler about the planned development. “For us, the positive reactions to our project in Grömitz are further confirmation of the growing popularity of regional domestic German tourism in the upper segment
.“
Lighthouse project for family holidays in Montafon, Austria
It was only in January of last year that FMTG opened the 5-star Falkensteiner Hotel Montafon in Vorarlberg, Austria, a hotel that is tailor-made for families and is considered the group’s flagship project. The hotel is not only the only family hotel in Europe to be a member of Leading Hotels of the World, but was also named Hotel Property of the Year in 2023. The focus is on the topics of nature conservation, regionality and renewable energies. The highlights include a strong focus on regional delicacies and a wide-ranging ecotainment program in which the young guests learn how electricity is generated from water. They can go on excursions to the local hydroelectric power station and to the reservoirs, carry out exciting experiments in the hotel’s laboratory or examine snow crystals under the microscope. As environmental rangers, you also learn a lot about forest and species protection on forays through the forests. www.falkensteiner.com/hotel-montafon.
About the Falkensteiner Michaeler Tourism Group (FMTG)
The Falkensteiner Michaeler Tourism Group (FMTG) is one of the leading privately owned tourism companies in six European countries. Under its umbrella, it combines the Falkensteiner Hotels & Residences divisions with currently 27 four- and five-star hotels, three apartment complexes and a premium campsite, FMTG Development, FMTG Invest and the tourism consultant Michaeler & Partner. The tourism group covers all areas of tourism development – from planning to construction to operational management – making it a “one-stop shop” with a proven track record. With over 66 years of company history, deep roots in the hospitality industry and profound industry know-how, it has experience in all areas of the value chain and creates synergies that offer an edge over the competition. And this applies to both city and holiday hotels. As a premium hotel group, FMTG pays attention to the highest quality at all levels, which also includes using nature in the most resource-efficient way possible.
Questions & Contact:
Alexandra Geyer
Director of PR & Public Affairs
FMTG – Falkensteiner Michaeler Tourism Group AG
Phone: +43 69917187073
E-mail: Alexandra.Geyer@falkensteiner.com