Julian Pfitzner to succeed Karl J. Pojer at Hapag-Lloyd CruisesJulian Pfitzner to succeed Karl J. Pojer at Hapag-Lloyd Cruises

Pfitzner has been responsible for marketing Europa 2 and Hapag-Lloyd Cruises.

TUI AG said Pojer, who also chairs the leadership council of CLIA Deutschland, considered the completion of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises' integration into the TUI Cruises umbrella an appropriate time to pass the baton.

Long career in tourism 

Pojer, 65, has had an international career with jobs in Germany, Belgium and Portugal at leading hotel brands such as Kempinski Hotels, Sheraton Hotels and Pestana Hotels, Resorts & Casinos. In 1996 he joined TUI and has held various management positions in the group's brands and affiliates, including at the helm of Robinson Club and as divisional director for TUI Hotels & Resorts.

In May 2013, Pojer took over as chairman of the executive board of Hapag-Lloyd Kreuzfahrten. Three years on, in April 2016, he became CLIA Deutschland chairman, succeeding Michael Ungerer.

Pojer has received numerous awards, including Seatrade European Personality of the Year and Hotelier of the Year 2020. 

TUI thanks Pojer 

Sebastian Ebel, member of TUI AG's executive board, thanked Pojer for leaving a legacy of 'world's best' cruise ships.

For his part, Pojer thanked colleagues 'who have supported me so enthusiastically on this track over the past seven years — for me, the best crew in the world. I wish Julian Pfitzner, who perfectly represents the philosophy of the Hapag-Lloyd Cruises brand, continued success in his new management role.'

Pfitzner joined Hapag-Lloyd Cruises in December 2010 from McKinsey & Co. His previous experience includes a leading position in a renowned North German venture of the food processing industry.