Schwesig intervenes: Turbulent future for MV tourism association!

Schwesig intervenes: Turbulent future for MV tourism association!

The Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania State Tourism Association is facing a profound crisis. Prime Minister Manuela Schwesig plans to hold talks with the association to clarify its future. The reason for these discussions are the association's leadership's allegations that the state government had delayed the association's restart. These concerns are further reinforced by serious allegations of subsidy fraud that have been made against the association, such as NDR reported.

The situation has come to a head since the Ministry of Economic Affairs in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania expressed suspicion of subsidy fraud. This led to the dismissal of long-time managing director Tobias Woitendorf in April. Economics Minister Wolfgang Blank is subsequently planning a fundamental restructuring of the association, which could possibly result in the establishment of a state company. A specially formed “structural commission” is commissioned to develop proposals for a realignment.

Urgency and uncertainty

Uncertainty about the future of the association is increasing, and more and more employees are leaving the association. President Birgit Hesse and CEO Alexander Winter wrote to Prime Minister Schwesig asking for support and emphasized that there should be clarity about the association's future by the end of June. However, Hesse said that this perspective was currently missing. Blank warned against quick decisions and made it clear that a conversation between the parties should take place before the summer break.

Schwesig has already agreed to fill the position of state tourism officer again, which is seen as a first step in the right direction. However, Hesse criticized the state government's dealings with the association so far and sees significant damage to the tourism industry in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.

Raids in the association

Parallel to these developments, attention is being drawn to a raid on the tourism association in the context of suspected subsidy fraud. Detailed information about this raid is on Consumer Protection Forum available. These incidents cast a shadow on the integrity of the association and call into question its future functioning and management.

Overall, these developments reflect the critical situation in which the state tourism association and thus all tourism in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania find themselves. The upcoming discussions between Schwesig and the association will be crucial for establishing a stable and sustainable structure.