The Supervisory Board of the Cologne Tourist Board has unanimously appointed Stephanie Kleine Klausing as the company’s new Chief Executive Officer, with effect from 1 April 2026.
The leadership change follows a structured, multi-stage selection process supported by management consultancy Kienbaum, while current CEO Dr Jürgen Amann will leave the role by mutual agreement on 31 March 2026, ahead of his contract’s original end date.
Kleine Klausing is promoted from within the organisation after many years in senior management roles, where she has played a central part in shaping strategy and leading national and international marketing for Cologne as a tourist destination. The appointment is positioned as a move focused on continuity, institutional knowledge and long-term destination development.
Announcing the decision, Supervisory Board Chairman Max Derichsweiler said “We are delighted to have been able to appoint Stephanie Kleine Klausing—a superbly qualified Chief Executive Officer—from our own ranks. She has had a deep and detailed knowledge of the Cologne Tourist Board, its partners and strategic areas of activity for many years.”
He added “The Supervisory Board’s unanimous vote underlines our great confidence in her expertise and her ability to successfully continue the development of Cologne as a destination for tourism and conventions. The Supervisory Board thanks the outgoing CEO, Dr Amann, for his work and wishes him all the best for his future activities.”
The selection process was overseen by an in-house committee, which first defined a comprehensive leadership profile before progressing through several evaluation stages. Kienbaum supported the board by identifying, approaching and assessing suitable candidates from both inside and outside the organisation.
Kleine Klausing’s long-standing involvement in Cologne’s destination marketing has included responsibility for strategic planning, partnership development and international promotion, helping position the city as a key European hub for leisure travel, business tourism and conventions.
The Cologne Tourist Board said the internal appointment reflects a desire for stability while continuing to expand Cologne’s visibility in competitive global tourism markets. The organisation works closely with local businesses, cultural institutions and event organisers to attract visitors year-round.
With travel demand across Europe continuing to recover and evolve, the board indicated that strengthening Cologne’s brand presence, convention sector and international outreach will remain core priorities under the new leadership.
Kleine Klausing will formally assume the CEO role at the start of April, marking the next phase in the tourism authority’s long-term strategy for growth and destination development.
Photo credit: Stephanie Kleine Klausing ©Axel Schulten
