The common thread in my life is the will to actively shape social developments. I am driven by the conviction to take responsibility, to question existing structures and to point out new paths where they are necessary – always with a view to future generations, cultural diversity and respectful coexistence.
I became known in Germany above all through my consistent commitment to the protection of non-smokers. During this time, I not only helped to shape political processes, but also experienced how strong resistance to change can be. The sometimes massive hostility to which I was subjected shaped me – as did the realization that the tone in party politics increasingly contradicted my own values. For this reason, I left active party politics. However, I have always remained a political person – Today, I work beyond traditional party structures, with an expanded, international and practical approach.
Today I live in Vienna and am committed to the further development of the tourism and guide industry at a European and global level. As President of the World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations, I am committed to quality, professionalism and the social relevance of tourist guides. My close ties to my home town of Passau have remained as strong as my passion for the Danube region, culture, history and cross-border cooperation.
A particular focus of my current work is in the education sector. I run an educational institute that is dedicated to the professionalization of tourism. The aim is to actively counteract the increasing flattening and commercialization of the industry. The focus is on well-founded training and further education programs for tourist guides that combine specialist knowledge, didactic competence and ethical responsibility with each other. Good guided tours should not only inform, but also provide orientation, explain contexts and promote cultural understanding.
I see my companies as workshops of changeplaces where values, innovation and economic responsibility come together. This is where I put into practice the attitude that has accompanied me throughout my life – not loud, but effective; not conformist, but forward-thinking; not partisan, but deeply committed to society.
Official resume
Sebastian Frankenbergerborn in Passau in 1981, has established his professional presence in Vienna, Linz and Passau. He studied mathematics, physics and theology in Passau, Regensburg and Rome. This interdisciplinary academic training still forms the foundation for his analytical thinking, his narrative strength and his value-oriented actions.
He currently heads the educational institute Tourism Trainingwhich is dedicated to the professionalization and qualitative development of the tourism industry. The aim is to counteract the increasing flattening of tourism offers and, in particular, to offer tourist guides sound training that combines professional competence, didactics, storytelling and ethical responsibility with each other. It sees education as a central instrument of social and cultural impact.
His entrepreneurial activities reflect his innovative spirit and deep understanding of the industry. Sebastian Frankenberger is the founder and managing director of several companies, including DonauGuides GmbH, Guide-Training, StadtLux, hybrid streaming and austriaguide.at. Many of his projects are closely linked to the Danube region and stand for sustainable, quality-oriented and culturally mediating tourism.
He works internationally as a consultant and keynote speaker. He specializes in analyzing guests’ needs, developing effective narratives and designing experiences that not only convey content but also create meaning. His workshops and presentations are known for their interactive, dialog-oriented and professional design.
Despite his many roles, Sebastian Frankenberger continues to be active as a guide himself. On his tours, he meets the participants at eye level – as a guide who combines history, the present and social issues. His broad experience makes him a reflective discussion partner who conveys complex content in an understandable and accessible way.
He achieved great public recognition in Germany through his commitment to the genuine protection of non-smokersespecially as the initiator of the referendum in Bavaria. This political work was both formative and challenging: the intense public debate and the increasing wear and tear on his political tone led him to consciously withdraw from party politics. However, he has remained a political man – Today, he brings his attitude, responsibility and creative power to other levels.
In addition to his work as a city councillor in Passau, he was the national chairman of the Ecological Democratic Partyand industry spokesman in the Austrian Chamber of Commerce and for many years worked internationally as a Guide representative. Today he is President of the World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations and is committed to quality, recognition and responsibility in tourism worldwide.
His close ties to his home town of Passau have remained as strong as his passion for culture, history and the European Danube region. He knows the region in depth, appreciates hidden places and maintains an extensive, cross-cultural and transnational network – a combination that characterizes his work as much as his personality.
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