{"id":2070,"date":"2014-04-10T12:21:24","date_gmt":"2014-04-10T10:21:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sfrankenberger.com\/about-me\/"},"modified":"2026-01-14T10:46:24","modified_gmt":"2026-01-14T09:46:24","slug":"about-me","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/sfrankenberger.com\/en\/about-me\/","title":{"rendered":"About Me"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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The common thread in my life is the will to actively shape social developments<\/b><\/span>. 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. <\/p>\n

I became known in Germany above all through my consistent commitment to the protection of non-smokers<\/b><\/span>. 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<\/b><\/span> – Today, I work beyond traditional party structures, with an expanded, international and practical approach. <\/p>\n

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. <\/p>\n

A particular focus of my current work is in the education sector<\/b><\/span>. 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<\/b><\/span> with each other. Good guided tours should not only inform, but also provide orientation, explain contexts and promote cultural understanding. <\/p>\n

I see my companies as workshops of change<\/b><\/span>places 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. <\/p>\n