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At an elegant gala held at the five-star hotel The Fontenay, the Inspire Me Awards 2025 were presented on Friday evening. The Bonn-based agency KITICON Global Networks, together with the travel trade magazine LuxusInsider, honored leading figures and brands in international luxury tourism.

Now in its fifth year, the event once again brought together the industry’s most innovative destinations, products, and personalities. Around 120 distinguished guests from Germany, Austria, Switzerland, London, Paris, Monaco, and Luxembourg gathered to celebrate the winners in a dazzling atmosphere.

“Over the past years, the Inspire Me Award has evolved into a key meeting point for the luxury travel industry,” said Tina Kirfel, Managing Director of KITICON Global Networks and co-initiator of the award. “This year’s event was again filled with energy, appreciation, and genuine encounters – exactly what we aim to create with this format.” Together with Iris M. Köpke and Melanie Haaß, KITICON launched the award and continues to refine its concept each year.

The 2025 Winners

Outstanding achievements were recognized in six categories – with seven awards presented:

• Goosebumps Destination: Sri Lanka (accepted by Honorary Consul Thomas Kriwat)
• Newcomer Product – On Land: andBeyond Suyian Lodge, Kenya
• Newcomer Product – On Water: Luminara, Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection
• Top B2B Event & Luxury Ambassador: Ulli Fink with Vibes – winning two awards
• Luxury Experience of the Year: Polar Bear Walking Safari (represented by Nele Remstedt, Denkzauber)
• Top Luxury Agent: Silvio Rebmann, Cube Travel – chosen by luxury travel suppliers and celebrated by the audience with standing ovations

“Each nomination and every award stand for passion and quality in an industry that creates experiences at the highest level,” added Iris M. Köpke, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher of LuxusInsider.

Jury, Selection and Partners

The jury comprised seven industry experts from various fields. Both nominations and final voting were carried out by LuxusInsider readers.

The Inspire Me Award 2025 was supported by esteemed partners including Grecotel, Swan Hellenic, The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Belmond, Brandcraft, HanseMerkur, LAKRIDS BY BÜLOW, La mer Cosmetics, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, TEFRA Travel Logistics, and Visit Monaco.

“We’re truly grateful to our partners – their support makes the Inspire Me Award possible and helps us create an evening full of appreciation, inspiration, and meaningful connections each year,” emphasized Melanie Haaß, Director Business Development at LuxusInsider.

Insight and Outlooks

All results and jury details are available on the official Inspire Me Award website. Information about next year’s ceremony can also be found online.
A photo gallery featuring the evening’s highlights at The Fontenay Hamburg is likewise available for viewing.

On 10 and 11 September 2025, Berlin was transformed into a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship: the German Innovation Institute, in collaboration with the German Entrepreneurs Platform (DUP), organised the Big Bang AI Festival, which attracted over 8,500 participants and more than 200 speakers, providing numerous insights into AI, business and leadership. On the evening before, selected companies were honoured with the ‘Company of the Future’ award – we are delighted to be among the winners.

An inspiring start: the awards ceremony on the previous evening

After a welcome drink in the elegant rooms of the Alte Münze Berlin, presenter Ines Woermann welcomed all the award winners. This was followed by the award ceremony and group photos. The event concluded with a flying buffet, which provided an opportunity for conversation and networking.

‘The event gave us a great chance to connect with innovative entrepreneurs from all over Germany,’ said Ilka Wymar. ‘We especially liked getting to know the people behind the ideas: young entrepreneurs who believe in their vision, stand their ground and succeed despite challenges.’

The ‘Company of the Future’ Award

The award recognises companies that impress with their proactive approach, commitment and sustainable leadership. Organised by DUP Media and the German Innovation Institute, it aims to highlight innovative ideas and promote exchange among pioneers in the business world.

Tina Kirfel, Managing Director and ‘Heart of Company’ at KITICON, is delighted with the award: ‘We are very honoured that our future-oriented work, our spirit of innovation and our sustainable corporate strategy have been recognised. Especially today, it is crucial to look ahead and consistently continue on our path of innovation.’

Impulses and inspiration

The following day, the festival kicked off with over 8,000 participants, more than 300 speakers, AI masterclasses and panel discussions on topics such as economics, medicine, politics and trade. Personalities such as Frank Thelen, Verona Pooth, Toni Kroos and David Precht ensured a varied programme and new perspectives on entrepreneurial activity and technological developments.

The focus: People and ethics in AI

A key topic was the responsible use of AI and automation. For us at KITICON, it is also clear that this is no longer just about tools and technology, but about ethical issues relating to leadership, innovation and dealing with change. Responsible action and forward-looking decisions are crucial for us to make the digital transformation successful and sustainable.

Our managing director and ‘heart of the company’, Tina Kirfel, was recently a guest at HanseMerkur's 12th Travel Summit in Hamburg – an event that goes far beyond networking. Here, partners of the travel insurance company regularly exchange ideas on culture, politics and society. This year, social engagement was the focus for the approximately 70 guests.

HanseMerkur board member Johannes Ganser invited Sirkka Jendis, managing director of Tafel Deutschland, and Rüdiger Ratsch-Heitmann, managing director of Bürgerstiftung Hamburg, to speak at the event. In the cosy atmosphere of the Peacetanbul restaurant in the Kampnagel cultural centre, they provided fascinating insights into their work – an inspiring start to a day full of encounters.

Social projects with impact

After lunch together, the participants went straight into practice. Divided into two groups, they visited various social initiatives:

• Hamburger Tafel: As part of Tafel Deutschland, volunteers collect surplus food and distribute it to over 1.6 million people affected by poverty. More than 75,000 helpers ensure that around 265,000 tonnes of food are put to good use every year.
  
  
• Jenkitos: The theatre project in Jenfeld helps young people to build self-confidence, expressiveness and personal development. Through theatre and creative methods, young people gain new perspectives and can develop their potential.

‘It was impressive to see how differently commitment can have an impact: while the food banks ensure social cohesion, the Jenkitos open up new perspectives for young people through art and creativity,’ reports Tina.

When technology meets social engagement

Tina was particularly struck by the realisation of how strongly AI influences the work of the Hamburg Food Bank. Food banks distribute food to people in need that would otherwise be thrown away in supermarkets or elsewhere. Thanks to increasingly intelligent systems, supermarkets are buying more selectively, which means there is less surplus – an ecologically sensible approach, but one that has become a real challenge for food banks.

‘I had no idea that AI had such a direct influence here,’ says Tina. ‘It shows how closely technological developments and social engagement are linked today – and how complex the challenges have become.’

Exchange, inspiration, responsibility

The 12th HanseMerkur Travel Summit has once again demonstrated that it is not just about networking. It is about broadening perspectives, recognising commitment and experiencing social responsibility first-hand.

For KITICON, this day is a valuable source of inspiration – both for our agency work and for the attitude of our team. Commitment, creativity and social awareness are not just buzzwords, but a lived reality that we carry into our projects.