Strengthening Partnerships in Northern Germany

How Eastern Favourites Helped Expand ONYX Hospitality Group’s Reach

When the Northern German winter began to settle in at the end of November 2025, Eastern Favourites Representation joined forces with ONYX Hospitality Group and key industry partners to bring long-haul inspiration directly to the heart of Schleswig-Holstein.

Over the course of two consecutive evenings, the roadshow “Touristikpartner on Tour – HEIDE, wir kommen!” came to life in Heide and Kiel—two locations that play a quietly powerful role in the German travel market. What followed was far more than a series of networking events: it became a meaningful journey of connection, storytelling, and future-focused collaboration.

Taking Long-Haul Inspiration Beyond the Usual Hubs

Northern Germany is often underestimated when it comes to premium and long-haul travel—but the reality tells a different story. Regions like Schleswig-Holstein are home to travel professionals who serve an affluent, experience-driven clientele, eager to escape long winters in favour of sun-filled destinations such as Thailand, one of ONYX’s core markets.

By bringing the conversation to Heide on 25 November and continuing the momentum the very next day in Kiel, Eastern Favourites and ONYX deliberately stepped beyond the traditional sales centres of Frankfurt and Munich. The goal was clear: engage directly with the agents who shape regional booking decisions—and give them something inspiring to take back to their customers.

A Warm Welcome in Heide

The journey began in Heide, where travel professionals gathered in the inviting setting of the Restaurant am Wasserturm. In collaboration with Condor, H10 Hotels, Reise Aktuell and Color Line, the evening unfolded in a relaxed, almost living-room-style atmosphere—far removed from the usual sales-driven event formats.

Instead of formal pitches, partners shared stories, product insights, and ideas over dinner, creating space for genuine conversations. More than 30 key travel agents took the opportunity to connect personally with the brands behind the journeys they sell every day.

What stood out most was the diverse partner mix—covering the entire customer journey, from flights and regional ferry travel to European leisure hotels and premium long-haul resorts. It allowed ONYX to position its portfolio naturally within the broader travel ecosystem, rather than as a standalone luxury product.

By the end of the evening, one thing was clear: Heide had set the perfect tone—open, personal, and full of momentum.

From Regional Kick-Off to Strategic Deepening in Kiel

Just one day later, the tour continued north to Kiel, where the setting changed—but the spirit remained. In the charming Forstbaumschule, the event took place in a festive Hüttendorf, with cozy, heated wooden huts creating an atmosphere that felt more like a winter gathering than a business meeting.

This time, the focus shifted from introduction to deepening relationships. Kiel, known as the “Cruise Capital of the North,” proved to be the perfect stage to connect long-haul hospitality with cruise and ferry expertise—especially through the strong local presence of Color Line.

Agents who regularly sell premium ferry crossings and cruises quickly recognised the natural extension into luxury long-haul resorts. With Reise Aktuell reinforcing accessibility through attractive packages and H10 Hotels complementing the portfolio on the European side, ONYX found itself positioned exactly where it belongs: at the centre of a complete, customer-oriented travel story.

In smaller group settings, conversations flowed easily—over mulled wine, shared meals, and genuine interest in future cooperation. It was networking in its most effective form: personal, authentic, and memorable.

From Conversations to Commercial Impact

Across both evenings, more than 60 travel professionals engaged with ONYX and its partners—not just in passing, but in meaningful, one-on-one conversations.

The results were immediate and lasting:

• Stronger visibility for ONYX’s premium and long-haul portfolio

• Deeper relationships in a region that is often overlooked, yet commercially powerful

• Renewed confidence among agents to recommend Thailand and other ONYX destinations

• A strengthened distribution network just ahead of the crucial winter booking season

  
  

What made the difference was not only the content—but the format: intimate settings, strong local partners, and a clear focus on relationship-building rather than sales pressure.

Turning Regional Engagement into Long-Term Success

The Northern Germany tour proved that successful tourism marketing today is not about being everywhere—it’s about being in the right places, with the right partners, in the right way.

For ONYX Hospitality Group, the events in Heide and Kiel were more than networking evenings. They became a strategic investment in trust, visibility, and future growth in one of Germany’s most promising premium travel regions.

For Eastern Favourites Representation, it was another example of what we stand for:creating opportunities where partnerships grow, stories travel further, and destinations gain the spotlight they deserve.

Because in the end, the strongest journeys don’t start with brochures—they start with connections.