Tourismus-Agentur Lübecker Bucht

What Tourismus-Agentur Lübecker Bucht does

Tourismus-Agentur Lübecker Bucht (TALB), legal entity Tourismus-Agentur Lübecker Bucht AöR, is a publicly owned destination management organization (DMO) incorporated in December 2012 as an Anstalt öffentlichen Rechts by the three shareholder municipalities of Scharbeutz, Stadt Neustadt in Holstein, and Sierksdorf in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. Headquartered at Strandallee 134, Scharbeutz, with 11-50 employees, it is governed by a Vorstand currently chaired by André Rosinski. Its mandate is to consolidate guest services, destination marketing, event programming, and infrastructure coordination across the unified Lübecker Bucht destination brand on the German Baltic Sea coast.

The organization's core product surface is a digital ecosystem anchored by the luebecker-bucht-ostsee.de tourism portal and the Ostsee Guide Progressive Web App (distributed via iOS App Store, Google Play Store, and a standalone web app), collectively covering 162+ km of coastline. Functional capabilities include an online accommodation booking platform for hotels, holiday apartments, special stays, youth hostel, camping, and Schlafstrandkorb sleep-in beach chairs; a searchable event calendar; hiking and cycling route content via Outdooractive; the digital Ostseecard guest card unlocking benefits across 18 Baltic Sea spas from Glücksburg to Travemünde; accessibility services integrated with Wheelmap.org and DLRG beach wheelchairs; and ancillary merchandise such as the 2024 Seebrückenholz Möbel upcycled furniture line co-developed with Hamburg designer JANSSON Mashup Design. The technology stack is conventional web/app tooling (CleverReach for newsletters, Google/etracker analytics, Facebook Pixel, infomax event calendar software) with no disclosed AI/ML components. Four physical Tourist-Information offices (Scharbeutz, Sierksdorf, Pelzerhaken, Neustadt in Holstein) provide on-ground distribution.

TALB's revenue mechanics combine (i) statutory Kurtaxe (tourism tax) collection passed through to member municipalities, (ii) referral/mediation commissions on accommodation bookings facilitated through its portal, (iii) event ticket sales commissions (e.g., Kartenvorverkauf, Silent Disco at €5 + €5 deposit), (iv) third-party sponsorship and EU/national grant income (UNDINE, UNDINE II, REACT/Natura projects), (v) municipal subsidies from the three shareholders, and (vi) ancillary merchandise revenue (Seebrückenholz Möbel priced €330-€1,490). It primarily serves two customer segments: individual tourist consumers (families, water-sport, wellness, and accessibility travelers in DACH + Scandinavia + Netherlands) and B2B municipal stakeholders, with secondary distribution through local tourism service providers (hoteliers, event organizers, water sports schools). The organization is recognized by Germany's 2020 Deutscher Tourismuspreis (2nd Prize and Audience Award) and ServiceQualität Deutschland certification.

Name

Tourismus-Agentur Lübecker Bucht

Legal name

Tourismus-Agentur Lübecker Bucht AöR

Website

https://luebecker-bucht-ostsee.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Tourismus-Agentur Lübecker Bucht (TALB) is a publicly owned German destination management organization serving the Baltic Sea coast of Schleswig-Holstein, operating the luebecker-bucht-ostsee.de booking portal, Ostsee Guide PWA, Ostseecard guest card, four Tourist-Information offices, and event programming for the three shareholder municipalities of Scharbeutz, Neustadt in Holstein, and Sierksdorf.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Regional Tourism Destination Management

NAICS

Tour Operators (561520), Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Water (48721), Inland Water Passenger Transportation (483212)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Water Transportation (4400)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYTHAKAFAL

Island, Beach & Resort Travel Agencies

Travel & Hospitality/Travel Agencies, Tour Operators & OTAs/Specialty/Niche Travel Agencies (Luxury, Adventure, Honeymoon, etc.)

SECONDARYTHAKADAA

Escorted Coach & Bus Package Tour Operators

Travel & Hospitality/Travel Agencies, Tour Operators & OTAs/Tour Operators (Multi-Day Package Tours)

SECONDARYTHAJAJAA

Sightseeing & Scenic Boat Tours (Harbor, Sunset, Dolphin/Whale Watching)

Travel & Hospitality/Tours, Attractions & Experiences/Marine & Water Experiences (Boat Tours, Diving, Snorkeling, Fishing)

SECONDARYTHAAAGAC

Transportation & Access Services (Shuttles, Ferry Access, Scenic Drives Permits)

Travel & Hospitality/Adventure, Amusement Parks & Ecotourism/National Parks & Protected Area Visitor Services (Concessions, Guided Access)

Keywords

• Regional destination marketing
• Accommodation booking mediation
• Tourist information services
• Digital guest card programs
• Tourism tax administration

Headquarters

HQ city

Scharbeutz

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tourism Service Fee / Kurtaxe (Tourism Tax) Collection: The organization collects tourism taxes (Kurtaxe) from visitors staying in the region. This is a statutory levy charged per guest night, which funds local tourism infrastructure and services. The collected fees are passed to the member municipalities.
2. Accommodation Booking Commission / Referral: The website facilitates bookings for accommodations (hotels, holiday apartments, camping) and takes a referral/mediation fee from accommodation providers. Per the AGB, the TALB acts as a mediator between guests and accommodation providers (Leistungsträger), earning commissions on successfully mediated bookings.
3. Event Ticket Sales: The organization sells tickets for events and activities through its website, including the Kartenvorverkauf (advance ticket sales) channel, generating revenue from event commissions.
4. Seebrückenholz Möbel (Pier Wood Furniture) Sales: The TALB facilitates the sale of outdoor furniture crafted from reclaimed wood from the old Scharbeutz and Haffkrug piers, designed in collaboration with Hamburg designer Dag Jansson Perslow (JANSSON Mashup Design). Prices range from €330 (table) to €1,490 (lounge set). The TALB acts as a mediator, with sales handled through the designer's studio.
5. Third-Party Funding and Sponsorship: As a publicly funded organization (Anstalt öffentlichen Rechts), TALB receives municipal subsidies from its three shareholders (Scharbeutz, Neustadt in Holstein, Sierksdorf). It also pursues third-party funding including sponsorship income, EU/national grant funding, and commission/profit-sharing from tourism products and services.
6. Prospect and Merchandise Sales: The organization sells printed brochures and promotional materials (Prospekte) and operates a maritime merchandise shop (e.g., fan packages as prizes for the Momentaufnahme photo contest), generating ancillary retail revenue.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Tourismus-Agentur Lübecker Bucht is a publicly owned destination management organization that markets and sells Baltic Sea tourism experiences across the Lübeck Bay. It mediates accommodation bookings (hotels, holiday apartments, camping, beach sleepers), operates the Ostseecard digital guest card program, sells event tickets, runs Tourist-Information offices, and produces content via its website and Ostsee Guide mobile/PWA app covering 162+ km of coastline and 18 Baltic Sea spas.

Product overview

Tourismus-Agentur Lübecker Bucht operates a comprehensive destination tourism ecosystem centered on its primary website and mobile applications. The core product portfolio includes the luebecker-bucht-ostsee.de vacation planning portal, which integrates online accommodation booking for hotels, holiday apartments, camping, and unique stays like beach sleepers; a searchable event calendar covering maritime festivals, beach sports, cultural events, and wellness activities; and the Ostsee Guide Progressive Web App and mobile applications providing offline-capable navigation, points of interest, dining, shopping, and digital ostseecard features. Supporting offerings encompass the Ostseecard visitor discount program, physical and digital tourist information services, accessible tourism resources, backland (Binnenland) nature and cultural experiences, the Seebrückenholz-Möbel upcycled furniture collection, newsletter subscriptions, and seasonal sweepstakes promotions. The organization functions as a local tourism authority (Anstalt öffentlichen Rechts) established by the municipalities of Scharbeutz, Neustadt in Holstein, and Sierksdorf in December 2012.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Online Accommodation Booking Platform Online booking platform mediating reservations between guests and accommodation providers (Leistungsträger) for hotels, holiday apartments, special stays, youth hostel, camping/caravan sites, and sleep-in beach chairs (Schlafstrandkörbe), searchable by dates, traveler count, and accommodation type. TALB earns commissions on successfully mediated bookings per its AGB.
• Ostseecard Digital Guest Card Digital guest card integrated into the Ostsee Guide app providing free beach access across 18 Baltic Sea spas from Glücksburg to Travemünde, reduced bus fares from €0.50, and discounts at partner attractions including SEA LIFE Timmendorfer Strand and Ostsee Therme. Distributed digitally via the website and app.
• Ostsee Guide Mobile App and Progressive Web App Progressive Web App available on iOS App Store, Google Play Store, and browser, providing offline-capable destination information across 162+ km of Baltic Sea coastline. Features include event calendar, geo-located points of interest map, weather data, saved highlights, free parking finder, hiking and cycling routes, and integrated digital Ostseecard.
• Tourist-Information Services Physical tourist information services at four offices in Scharbeutz (HQ at Strandallee 134), Sierksdorf (Haus des Gastes), Pelzerhaken (Dünenweg 7), and Neustadt in Holstein. Offices are barrier-free accessible and provide in-person advice, brochures, the Ostseecard, and local activity bookings.
• Event Ticketing (Kartenvorverkauf) Advance ticket sales for events organized or distributed by TALB, including SEA LIFE Timmendorfer Strand partner tickets, Silent Disco (€5 entry + €5 refundable headphone deposit), and other regional festivals. Sales conducted via the website with some events selling at the door via cash and EC card.
• Seebrückenholz-Möbel Outdoor Furniture Collection Upcycled outdoor furniture collection crafted from reclaimed timber of the former Scharbeutz and Haffkrug piers, designed by Hamburg-based designer Dag Jansson Perslow (JANSSON Mashup Design). Individual pieces priced from €330 (table) to €690 (large sessel), with a complete lounge set at €1,490. Each piece is hand-finished, uniquely serialized, and sold via the website with fulfillment through the designer.
• Accessible Tourism Services (Urlaub für Alle) Accessibility-focused tourism services for visitors with reduced mobility, including wheelchair-accessible beaches, accessible accommodations (arborea Marina Resort Neustadt, Hotel Strandkind, Hotel Hof Sierksdorf, BAYSIDE, Gran Belvedere, Gästehaus Schäfersruh), free beach wheelchairs via DLRG stations in Scharbeutz/Haffkrug and Pelzerhaken during May 1 to September 30, accessible transportation, and Wheelmap.org integration.

Quantifiable outcome

• The Ostseecard provides free beach access in 18 Baltic Sea spas (Glücksburg to Travemünde) and reduced bus fares starting at €0.50 per ride

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• JANSSON Mashup Design (Dag Jansson Perslow)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2024Collaboration with Hamburg-based designer Dag Jansson Perslow to create the Seebrückenholz Möbel collection — outdoor furniture crafted from reclaimed wood from the old Scharbeutz and Haffkrug piers. Each piece is a hand-finished unique item with a type plate and serial number. TALB acts as the mediating sales channel, forwarding orders to JANSSON Mashup Design for production and fulfillment.
• Ostsee Schleswig-Holstein Tourismus e.V.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional tourism association (Ostsee-Holstein-Tourismus) that coordinates cross-regional marketing for the Baltic Sea coast of Schleswig-Holstein. TALB participates in the Ostsee Guide platform and joint promotional initiatives with other member destinations. The association also supports EU project work and regional event development.
• SEA LIFE Timmendorfer StrandminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner attraction providing discounted entry for Ostseecard holders. Promoted through the event ticket sales (Kartenvorverkauf) and accessibility guide on the TALB website.
• Ostsee ThermeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerThermal spa partner offering reduced entry fees for Ostseecard holders. Jointly promoted through the TALB's digital channels and the Ostseecard benefit program.
• arborea Marina Resort Neustadt, Hotel Strandkind, Hotel Hof Sierksdorf, BAYSIDE, Gran Belvedere, Gästehaus SchäfersruhminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRecommended accessible hotels listed on the TALB's 'Urlaub für Alle' (Accessible Travel) page. These properties offer barrier-free rooms, elevators, and accessible facilities, and are promoted to travelers with reduced mobility.
• DLRG (Deutsche Lebens-Rettungs-Gesellschaft)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerGerman Life Saving Association provides free beach wheelchairs (Baderollstühle) for visitors with reduced mobility at DLRG stations in Scharbeutz/Haffkrug and Pelzerhaken during the summer season (May 1 – September 30). Listed as an accessible tourism offering on the TALB website.
• UNDINE / UNDINE II Project PartnersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEU-funded projects (UNDINE and UNDINE II) focused on discovering the Baltic Sea underwater world, involving cross-border cooperation with other Baltic Sea coastal destinations. Generates specialized visitor offerings and underwater experience content.
• REACT / Natura Project PartnersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman-Danish cooperation project at the Baltic Sea (REACT / Natura) involving cross-border tourism development. Listed among EU projects where Lübecker Bucht serves as a project partner.
• Kulturbüro Lübecker Bucht / OstholsteinminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPlatform for art and cultural creators (Kulturschaffende) and enablers (Möglichmacher) in the Lübecker Bucht / Ostholstein region, supported through EU project work. Connects cultural offerings with visitor demand.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Sylt Marketing GmbH: Tourism marketing company for the island of Sylt (Schleswig-Holstein). Comparable as a regional German coastal DMO with destination booking, event programming, and municipal ownership, though it operates at a higher price point and visitor profile.
• Tourismuszentrale St. Peter-Ording: North Sea coastal DMO in Schleswig-Holstein, structurally similar to TALB in its mix of municipal subsidy, accommodation booking mediation, and event programming. Comparable by business model though operating on the North Sea rather than Baltic.
• Tourismusverband Mecklenburg-Vorpommern: State-level tourism association for the adjacent Baltic coastal state. Provides regional destination marketing coordination parallel in function to TALB at a larger geographic scale.
• Usedom Tourismus GmbH: DMO for the German side of the island of Usedom on the Baltic. Comparable coastal destination management scope (multi-municipality coordination, booking, event programming) at a larger and more seasonal scale.

Others

• Ostsee Therme (Ostsee Bad Scharbeutz): Partner attraction offering reduced entry to Ostseecard holders. Not a peer but an ecosystem partner; relevant as a comparable tourism-driven visitor experience business in TALB's destination footprint.

Direct peers

• Tourismus-Service Grömitz: Municipal tourism office for the neighboring Baltic resort of Grömitz. Competes with TALB for holidaymakers along the Schleswig-Holstein coast with a similar DMO service portfolio (accommodation bookings, events, Ostseecard coverage, beach promotion).
• Timmendorfer Strand Tourismus GmbH: Local tourism organization for the directly adjacent Baltic Sea resort of Timmendorfer Strand, which is identified in TALB's filings as a potential future fourth shareholder municipality. Operates comparable accommodation booking, tourist information, and event marketing for an overlapping visitor base.
• Ostsee-Holstein-Tourismus e.V. Regional tourism marketing association for the Schleswig-Holstein Baltic coast; TALB is a member of this body and they jointly operate the Ostsee Guide platform and cross-regional campaigns. Closest peer by mandate and geographic overlap.
• Lübeck und Travemünde Tourismus GmbH: Joint tourism marketing entity for the Hanseatic City of Lübeck and Travemünde. Identified in TALB's history as a partner for closer cooperation; operates comparable hotel booking, city/region packaging, and Ostseecard participation.
• Tourismus-Agentur Travemünde: Destination marketing organization for Travemünde, also covered under TALB's Ostseecard network. Operates independently for its port/lighthouse destination while sharing the regional Baltic marketing umbrella with TALB.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCZ3B5HcksJib0JC5re7k_9g
• Facebookfacebook.com/luebeckerbucht
• Instagraminstagram.com/luebeckerbuchttourismus
• Xx.com/LuebeckBucht
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/tourismus-agentur-l-becker-bucht

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 Tourismus-Agentur Lübecker Bucht