KölnTourist is getting ready for the start of the boat tours in March 2024
KölnTourist Personenschifffahrt was on winter break for two months. But there was a lot going on behind the scenes. In 2024, the MS RheinPerle, a completely renovated ship, a range of new services and projects as well as a varied program of cruises and events await guests of the family-run company.
Even if it may seem to guests that everything comes to a standstill in passenger shipping in winter, this break in operations is hugely important for the organization behind the scenes. "We have invested a lot of time, money and manpower over the last few months to successfully prepare for the coming season," explains Angelika Schmitz, Managing Director of KölnTourist. "For example, we are currently expanding our own sales network in the Cologne area. This means that our guests can not only buy their tickets in our online store or at our box offices, but also at various selected kiosks in Rodenkirchen or Cologne city center." These advance booking offices include, for example, the Neumarkt theater box office, the Dalgic press store on Maternusplatz in Rodenkirchen and the KölnTourismus service center. KölnTourist tickets for overnight guests can also be booked directly on site at various hotels such as the New Yorker Hotel in Cologne-Mülheim, the Eden Hotel Früh am Dom or the Berger campsite in Rodenkirchen. "Despite the focus on the growing online market, we are aware that many guests appreciate human contact and personal advice and the proximity to their location. We are therefore continuing to expand our sales outlets. A brand new addition is the Fährhaus restaurant directly on our jetty in Rodenkirchen," says Angelika Schmitz.
Investing in the future
The modernization of the KölnTourist fleet is also progressing. It took over a year: the MS RheinPerle was completely renovated and refurbished and will now return to service in spring 2024 in new splendor. Skipper and second Managing Director Michael Schmitz explains: "We have modernized the entire interior of the ship, from the piping to the electrics to the interior fittings. We are very proud of the result and look forward to being able to present our new treasure chest to our guests soon." But now it's time to gradually get all the other ships in the fleet back on the water for the new season. On the first weekend in March, the crew on the RheinCargo and RheinTreue ships will prepare everything for the guests on the first panoramic cruises and Cologne Skyline tours. The first trips on the Rhine along the beautiful Rhine panorama will then start again on March 7, 2024.
However, the investments in the future do not only concern the ships. KölnTourist is also active in recruiting and promoting young talent. In addition to training as a bargeman or as a specialist for restaurants and event catering, the company has also been offering places for working students for the first time this winter, e.g. in dual study programs. Two working students are already working in event management and marketing in the KölnTourist office. The young colleagues also realize their own projects, such as participating in the video blog competition of the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport, in which they promptly stood on the winner's podium with their contribution and took second place.
KölnTourist is also actively involved in the area of sustainability. The planning of measures for more sustainability in passenger shipping, which has been driven forward in recent months, also includes the publication of the first own declaration on the German Sustainability Code (DNK) on February 7, 2024. "We are committed to getting a little better every day," explains Angelika Schmitz. "We are still a long way from reaching the goal of our sustainability efforts, but we are working hard on it, with full force and out of firm conviction. Because we love what we do, even when it comes to sustainability."
Colorful event program
Another focus of the work during the winter break was planning events for the 2024 season. This year, for example, there will once again be fun brunch trips from Easter to Advent under the motto "Climb aboard, feast and feel good", and in summer the popular barbecue parties and "Culinary World Tours" with specialties from Spain, Greece and the USA.
Shows and music are a particular focus this year. In April, October and November, Marcos Schlüter can be seen on the MS RheinCargo on a total of six dates in his parade role as Cologne's shrillest fag René Gligée with his comedy birthday show "Hoch soll ich leben!". In late summer, the Cologne-based quartet "Aach un Kraach" will be performing live on board the MS RheinCargo, delighting the audience with their mix of rock, soul, blues and ballads. Another highlight is the only hip-hop boat tour on the Rhine near Cologne on 25.08.2024. For the sixth time, KölnTourist and rapper Phily Van from Bonn are offering talented up-and-coming artists from the hip-hop scene a floating stage to present themselves and their tracks live on board with the "Floating Bars" event format.
KölnTourist offers boat trips and boat charters at the most important hubs on the Rhine in the Cologne/Bonn area, an unforgettable and exclusive variety of experiences for a real change of perspective, plenty of relaxation and lots of good humor on one of the most beautiful rivers in Europe. A personal and individual service, delicious food from selected partners and a very good price-performance ratio round off the offer.
KölnTourist is a privately run shipping company with decades of tradition and shipping expertise. The fleet is technically up to date, because the safety of the passengers is always the focus. The interior of the fleet is always well maintained. With an eye on the environment and future generations, the company embarked on a journey to greater sustainability in passenger shipping some time ago. KölnTourist sees itself as a true friend and partner to its guests and lives cosmopolitanism. The employees are authentic and love what they do - with regard to their fleet, their offers, their guests and the team.