FINAL REPORT DSTNCMP²⁵

June 5, by Wolfgang Weiler

The DSTNCMP²⁵ has come to an end—the next one will be held in May 2026 in Brixen

How can we take tourism to the next level? Can we draw insights from the diverse theories and findings of the two-day DSTNCMP²⁵ in Düsseldorf be used to derive valid principles for reorganization? Or even to formulate principles for overarching strategies?

The report on an “in-depth session” featuring international participants on the third day of the 15th DestinationCampwill need to demonstrate how to take destination tourism to the next level. WERKSCHAU²⁵ will be published in early August and will document all the results of this year’s industry gathering, which took place June 3–5 in the capital of North Rhine-Westphalia.

The so-called llast session of this year’sDestinationCampaddressed the question of what principles might characterize a “new understanding of tourism.” Building on a presentation by Catharina Riess, head of the media division at WienTourismus, and statements from international tourism destinations, tourism professionals from Málaga, Luxembourg, Berlin, Graubünden, Brixen, Timmendorfer Strand, St. Peter-Ording, South Tyrol, Schladming-Dachstein, Hamburg, and, of course, Düsseldorf shared their thoughts on what the structural and organizational future of destination tourism might look like.

"In-Depth Session" on a New Understanding of Tourism

On Thursday, just as on the previous day, the afternoon program—following two workshops in each of the seven thematic tracks and two presentations at the netzvitamineAKADEMIE—included three in-depth sessions: “Leadership Is a Learned Art,” “What Do We Do with All These Data Hubs?” and “Principles of a New Understanding of Tourism.”

In addition, there were once again guided tours of “Düsseldorf’s New Center,” “Little Tokyo,” and the modern “MedienHafen.” Alternatively, participants could once again use the conference venue’s spaces as a coworking office.

netzvitamineEVENING AT THE NACHT RESIDENZ

The highlight of thethird day of DSTNCMPwas the now-traditional netzvitamineABEND. As usual, the location was kept secret until the very last moment, so the guests were quite surprised when they were led to the “Nachtresidenz” in the heart of Friedrichstadt. That evening, one of the city’s hottest clubs was entirely dedicated toDSTNCMP²⁵.

The theme was “Black & White,” the dress code was chic, and the atmosphere was filled with sound and laser lights. But first, at the white tables on the dance floor, guests were treated to a spectacular four-course meal featuring a varied appetizer platter, stuffed panzerotti, black-feathered chicken, or baked cauliflower with bell peppers and sautéed asparagus, and to top it all off, a mille-feuille made with vanilla ice cream and a berry salad.

DSTNCMP²⁵-Award for the Allgäu Skilled Workers Campaign-

And then the three winners of the DSTNCMP²⁵Challenge Cup were honored. The prize, awarded by the judges and the audience, recognizes creative solutions and activities.

A sound level meter was used to measure the participants’ applause, which was then added to the judges’ scores: The winner was the “Hier pass ich hin!” campaign by the family-run Allgäu-based corporate group “Lerch Genusswelten.” Since 2019, they have been successfully using this campaign to recruit young, motivated apprentices from all over the world.

Second place went to the “Schellsch halt mol!” campaign by Hochschwarzwald Tourismus GmbH. The campaign encourages visitors to ring the doorbells of local residents and ask for information. Third place went to vJourney GmbH for “Travel Beyond All Borders, ” a VR headset rental system for senior living facilities and nursing homes.

SAVE THE DATE: May 5–7, 2026, in Brixen, South Tyrol

Then the air vibrated; the DJ played rousing, loud dance music, the beats and bass boomed between the meter-thick walls, and high above, the confetti bomb burst. With one last big circle dance to “Angels,” the DSTNCMPcame to a close²⁵ came to an end.

TheWERKSCHAU²⁵, featuring reports from the sessions and workshops, will be published in late August 2025 and can be requested here. The next DestinationCampwill take place from May 5 to 7, 2026, in Brixen, South Tyrol.

IMPRESSIONS from the day
CC-BY netzvitamine GmbH/ Johannes Leistner