Black Forest Tourism

What Black Forest Tourism does

Schwarzwald Tourismus GmbH, operating commercially as Black Forest Tourism and Visit Black Forest, is the official regional Destination Marketing Organization for the Black Forest (Schwarzwald) in southwest Germany. Headquartered in Freiburg and founded in 2006, it promotes an 11,100 km² vacation region spanning from Pforzheim to Lörrach and from the Rhine to Villingen-Schwenningen, including the 1,493-meter Feldberg peak in the south. The organization is structured as a private German GmbH with 11–50 employees and serves leisure travelers across multiple segments — families, outdoor enthusiasts, wellness seekers, and increasingly remote workers — through a multilingual digital platform (German, English, Dutch) and a network of partner touchpoints.

The product portfolio centers on three core platforms: the SchwarzwaldCard, which aggregates free or discounted access to over 200 regional attractions; the KONUS-Gästekarte, a free public-transport guest card accepted across approximately 150 Black Forest communities; and the schwarzwald-tourismus.info website, which provides destination content, trip planning, and booking. Supporting offerings include Frag' Schwarzwaldmarie (a branded AI chatbot assistant), Schwarzwaldradio (the official vacation radio with nationwide DAB+ distribution plus web and app), SchwarzwaldTALER (a loyalty/bonus point system), gift vouchers, and seasonal initiatives such as Coolcation and Workation. The technology stack is described as a tourism promotion and destination marketing platform with no disclosed proprietary ML, APIs, or SDKs.

The business model is funded through a subscription/recurring stream consisting of membership fees, partner contributions, and regional tourism initiatives rather than direct consumer transactions. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; commercial engagement occurs via customized partnership packages. Distribution combines direct digital channels (website, newsletter, social media, podcast) with partner channels including Holidu (official booking partner) and Lohospo (official booking service), supplemented by physical guest materials. The organization coordinates with a large premium- and pool-tier commercial partner ecosystem — anchored by Europa-Park, Sparkasse Freiburg, Alpirsbacher Klosterbräu, Original Landreisen, and regional Chambers of Commerce (IHKs) — rather than competing as a transactional travel agency.

Name

Black Forest Tourism

Legal name

Schwarzwald Tourismus GmbH

Website

https://schwarzwald-tourismus.info

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Schwarzwald Tourismus GmbH is the official Destination Marketing Organization for Germany's Black Forest region, operating a multilingual digital platform, the SchwarzwaldCard (200+ attractions), KONUS guest transit card, and an AI chatbot to promote tourism and drive bookings across 150 communities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Regional Destination Marketing

NAICS

Convention and Visitors Bureaus (561591), Tour Operators (561520)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Eco-Tours & Sustainable Nature Travel (THAJAIAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

National Park & Protected Area Tours (THAJAIAA)

Keywords

• Destination tourism marketing
• Regional tourism promotion
• Vacation booking platform
• Attraction pass services
• Guest card services

Headquarters

HQ city

Freiburg

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Regional Tourism Promotion: Organization promoting the Black Forest (Schwarzwald) region as a tourism destination. Funded through membership fees, partnership contributions, and regional tourism initiatives.

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Schwarzwald Tourismus GmbH operates as the official regional destination marketing organization for the Black Forest (Schwarzwald) region in southwestern Germany. It runs a multilingual digital tourism portal (schwarzwald-tourismus.info) that aggregates destination content and provides booking tools, and sells region-wide tourism services including the SchwarzwaldCard (free entry to 200+ attractions), the KONUS-Gästekarte (free public transportation for guests in ~150 towns), gift vouchers, and themed travel initiatives.

Product overview

Black Forest Tourism (Schwarzwald Tourismus GmbH) operates a comprehensive tourism portal for the Black Forest vacation region in southwestern Germany. The primary offering is the digital platform at schwarzwald-tourismus.info, which provides visitors with a unified interface to discover, plan, and book travel experiences. The product portfolio centers on the SchwarzwaldCard (regional attraction pass), KONUS-Gästekarte (free public transit guest card), and Frag' Schwarzwaldmarie (AI chatbot assistant). Supporting offerings include Schwarzwaldradio (vacation radio), SchwarzwaldTALER (loyalty points), gift vouchers, and seasonal initiatives like Coolcation and Workation. The platform integrates booking capabilities, destination information, and visitor services through its website and partner network.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Schwarzwaldradio: Official holiday radio for the Schwarzwald vacation region, broadcasting Classic Hits & Super Oldies
• SchwarzwaldCard
• KONUS Gästekarte
• SchwarzwaldTALER
• Schwarzwald Gutschein
• Schwarzwalduhr des Jahres

Products and services

• SchwarzwaldCard

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered premium and pool.

• Europa-Park Erlebnis ResortpremiumGTM or Marketing PartnerFlagship premium partner. Europa-Park is Germany's largest amusement park located at the gates of the Black Forest, featuring 15 European-themed areas and the Rulantica water world.
• Alpirsbacher KlosterbräupremiumGTM or Marketing PartnerPremium partner and independent family brewery producing beer specialties in the heart of the Black Forest, operated in fourth generation by Carl Glauner.
• Schwarzwald Winzer (Alde Gott)premiumGTM or Marketing PartnerPremium partner - wine cooperative located on the slopes of the Black Forest along the Baden Wine Route, producing wines and brandies.
• HolidupremiumChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOfficial booking partner providing online marketing and booking services for Black Forest accommodations, based in Offenburg.
• SchwarzwaldradiopremiumGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial vacation radio for the Black Forest region, broadcasting across DAB+ in Germany and worldwide via web and app, featuring classic hits and Super Oldies with tourism content.
• Original Landreisen AGpremiumChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOfficial tour operator and incoming agency for the Black Forest, developing and marketing experiences and travel packages.
• Sparkasse FreiburgpremiumGTM or Marketing PartnerPremium partner representing the Sparkasse financial group, supporting tourism promotion in the Freiburg region.
• Peterstaler Mineralquellen GmbHpremiumGTM or Marketing PartnerPremium partner - mineral water source from the depths of the Black Forest, multiple award winner including Öko-Test 'sehr gut' ratings.
• Schwarzwaldmilch GmbH FreiburgpremiumGTM or Marketing PartnerPremium partner - dairy company producing fresh, Bio-certified, and regional milk products from the Black Forest region.
• Fürstlich Fürstenbergische BrauereipoolGTM or Marketing PartnerBrewery at the edge of the Black Forest in Donaueschingen, known for characteristic beers of the South.
• Schwarzwälder Bote Mediengesellschaft mbHpoolGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional news media organization with 14 business offices and 17 local editorial offices covering the Black Forest region.
• AVS GmbH (Abrechnungs- und Verwaltungs-Systeme)poolTechnology or IntegrationSoftware service provider from Bayreuth developing and operating digital guest and customer loyalty systems, specializing in tourism card platforms and visitor management.
• Rombach & Haas - SchwarzwalduhrenmanufakturpoolGTM or Marketing PartnerBlack Forest clock manufacturer founded in 1894 in Schonach, producing traditional and modern cuckoo clocks, winner of Schwarzwalduhr des Jahres 2021.
• Feingeistbrennerei FiespoolGTM or Marketing PartnerArtisan distillery in Oberkirch-Ringelbach producing fruit brandies and liqueurs for over 60 years, offering insights into distilling traditions.
• Konfitürenmanufaktur Faller GmbHpoolGTM or Marketing PartnerJam manufacturer in Utzenfeld producing 50 varieties of fruit preserves cooked in open copper kettles with 60% fruit content.
• OBB Oberbadische Bettfedernfabrik GmbHpoolGTM or Marketing PartnerPremium bedding manufacturer since 1900 in Lörrach, producing down and feather bedding products under Black Forest and Schwarzwald brand names.
• Merida Centurion Germany GmbHpoolGTM or Marketing PartnerGerman distributor for Merida and Centurion international bicycle brands, headquartered in Magstadt near Stuttgart.
• Lohospo GmbHpremiumChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOfficial booking service for Schwarzwald Tourismus GmbH, providing online marketing for Black Forest vacation accommodations including booking hotline.
• Schwarzwald Hn8 Schlafsysteme GmbHpoolGTM or Marketing PartnerPremium mattress and box spring bed manufacturer based in Haslach im Kinzigtal, formerly known as Hukla Matratzen GmbH until 2015.
• Badeparadies SchwarzwaldpoolGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor water park attraction in Titisee-Neustadt offering wellness and water-based experiences.
• Vitra CampuspoolGTM or Marketing PartnerDesign museum and campus in Weil am Rhein featuring architecture and design exhibitions.
• Calamus ArealpoolGTM or Marketing PartnerRecreation complex in Kehl featuring Sensapolis and Cala-Race water activities.
• Industrie- und Handelskammern (IHKs) im SchwarzwaldpremiumStrategic or Co-development PartnerChamber of commerce partners supporting tourism businesses through consulting, advocacy, training, and the 'Wir sind Schwarzwald!' campaign.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@schwarzwaldtourismus
• Facebookde-de.facebook.com/schwarzwaldradio.digital
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/schwarzwald-tourismus-gmbh

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Black Forest Tourism