"It was a matter close to my heart to be able to organize and oversee the 50th anniversary year of the German Fairy Tale Route before my retirement. This allowed me to once again experience firsthand the international and national appeal that the 'German Fairy Tale Route' brand has come to possess. I can hardly imagine a more beautiful conclusion to my working life," said Benjamin Schaefer with satisfaction at the end of this year's general meeting of the German Fairy Tale Route Association in Kassel. Andreas Siebert, Chairman of the German Fairy Tale Route Association and District Administrator of the Kassel district, thanked Benjamin Schaefer for his tireless dedication and the work he performed with such passion for the German Fairy Tale Route Association;
he had significantly shaped the association and contributed greatly to its success.

Schaefer began his tenure as managing director by transforming the German Fairy Tale Route from a working group into a registered association effective January 1, 2007. During his time as managing director, the number of members increased from 41 to 73, and the German Fairy Tale Route was continuously developed overall. A highlight of his tenure was the selection of the 50th anniversary of the German Fairy Tale Route as the 2025 theme of the German National Tourist Board (DZT), which is akin to a knighthood in German tourism. The resulting national and international response, both in the media and among tour operators, was overwhelming, according to Schaefer. Nevertheless, times are not easy. Since the German Fairy Tale Route is an association with municipal members, the increasingly limited financial resources at the municipal level directly impact the German Fairy Tale Route's funding, Schaefer explained, outlining the challenges now facing his successor, Markus Exner.

Markus Exner convinced the board of the German Fairy Tale Route to appoint him as Benjamin Schaefer's successor thanks to his extensive knowledge of the Brothers Grimm and his excellent network. "We are delighted that with Markus Exner, we have secured a dedicated networker and expert on the potential of the 'Brothers Grimm' brand to take on the challenges of managing the German Fairy Tale Route," said Andreas Siebert, adding: "We are confident that he will find suitable ways to overcome the association's financial challenges and prepare the German Fairy Tale Route for the next 50 years."

One of these approaches has already been prepared: As of May 1, 2026, Regional Management North Hesse and the German Fairy Tale Route will form a shared office in the Regional Management's premises at Staendeplatz 17 in Kassel. The resulting cost synergies will benefit both organizations, as will the new opportunities for professional exchange between the staff of GrimmHeimat NordHessen and the team of the popular fairy-tale route. "I am very pleased that the German Fairy Tale Route, as a supraregional travel route with its experience and appeal, will now be right next door to the GrimmHeimat NordHessen destination, contributing to the positive development of tourism in Hesse and beyond," says Kai Georg Bachmann, Managing Director of Regionalmanagement Nordhessen GmbH, with satisfaction.

Markus Exner is delighted to be able to immerse himself even more professionally in his passion, the "Brothers Grimm." "I realize that I now have the opportunity to manage and further develop a major brand. I look forward to the financial and organizational challenges in German tourism with both respect and enthusiasm. Here, I share Jacob Grimm's confident view: 'Fortune favors the bold and daring: suddenly, something happens.'"

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Frau Sylvia Stock
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