Rolf-Dieter Maltzahn, new CEO. The experienced tourism expert will lead A-ROSA Flussschiff GmbH into the future, replacing Jörg Eichlera in early February 2025.
Eichler will leave the company at the end of February 2025 following a transfer of responsibilities. In his place, Maltzahn will work closely with Markus Zoepke, chief operating officer and co-owner of the company since 2003, who will continue to oversee operations at the headquarters in Chur, Switzerland.
“We are delighted to have found in Rolf-Dieter Maltzahn a highly experienced yet innovative CEO for A-ROSA. Thanks to his many years of diverse experience in the tourism industry, particularly in the areas of business strategy, digitalization, and agile transformation, he will successfully lead A-ROSA River Cruises into the future,” said Michael Ungerer, Chairman of the A-ROSA Group Advisory Board.
"On behalf of the shareholders and the Advisory Board, I would like to thank Jörg Eichler for more than eleven years of successful leadership and for developing A-ROSA into the premium brand it is today."
Rolf-Dieter Maltzahn has built an impressive career in the tourism sector. His career began in 1989 at TUI, where he held various management positions until 2008, ultimately serving as Head of Purchasing for Central Europe. He then moved to DER Touristik, initially leading the hotel unit as CEO until 2013 and later serving as Managing Director for package holidays until 2019. In these roles, he spearheaded brand repositioning, digital innovations, and process optimization, leading to a successful turnaround with significant sales increases and efficiency improvements. A particular milestone was the launch of the "Cooee" hotel brand, which significantly contributed to acquiring new customers and boosting margins.
Most recently, as Managing Director of GALERIA Reisen GmbH, he was responsible for the travel and tourism division. His work there included implementing the transformation to omnichannel sales, combining modern digital concepts with in-store services. Other key areas were realigning the corporate culture and the brand's sustainable positioning.
Rolf-Dieter Maltzahn on his new role as CEO: “I look forward to continuing the successful growth of A-ROSA Flussschiff GmbH. This is made possible by the strong team and trusted partnerships. In an environment of growth and digitalization, it is also particularly important to win and retain customer loyalty through strong sales – something we will continue to work on together.”
After more than eleven years as managing director, Jörg Eichler is leaving A-ROSA Flussschiff GmbH of his own accord to take on a new and fulfilling role in the tourism industry.
“The timing is ideal for a successful leadership transition at A-ROSA,” he summarizes. “Following the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine, we were able to get A-ROSA back on track by introducing new strategies and technologies. In 2024, we achieved the highest turnover in the company’s history, and advance bookings for 2025, up 35%, also indicate that the more flexible premium fare has been well received. Now the company can capitalize on this and continue its success story.”.
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