Mourning Hans-Jürgen Thien, a shining star in the tourism sky
The Skål International family mourns the loss of its Honorary President Hans-Jürgen Thien of the Skål International Frankfurt International, who passed away on Friday, 22 August 2025.
With him, the global tourism community loses an outstanding personality whose impact will resonate far beyond his term of office.
Hans-Jürgen Thien was born on 28 July 1937 in northern Germany. Since 1968, he had been actively involved in various board positions at the Skål International Hamburg. After moving to Frankfurt in 1970, he repeatedly took on the presidency of Skål International Frankfurt with great dedication and professional expertise. In addition, he held several honorary functions in international tourism.
From the very beginning of his career, he made a decisive contribution to establishing contacts at home and abroad that endure to this day. With foresight and perseverance, he continuously expanded these networks – among others also with IMEX, one of the world’s leading trade fairs at the highest level.
Hans-Jürgen Thien was more than a president – he was a mentor, a trailblazer, and a friend. With visionary thinking and human warmth, he knew how to inspire young talents and connect them with the experience of long-standing experts. His work opened spaces for innovation, and his commitment built lasting bridges between generations and cultures.
His empathy and his ability to engage with people made him well-loved far beyond professional boundaries. Those who had the privilege of knowing him experienced a man who offered trust, lived friendship, and embodied the Skål International spirit in its purest form.
With unwavering professionalism, genuine warmth, and tireless dedication to international exchange, he set benchmarks. He had the gift of breaking down prejudices, bringing people together, and making friendship visible as the lived foundation of a better world in tourism.
The gap he leaves behind is immense. Yet his example remains: for his beloved family, for his friends around the world, and for all those who had the privilege of meeting him. His life and achievements are a shining example of how dedication, humanity, and friendship can change the world.
Hans-Jürgen Thien will remain unforgettable.
On behalf of the Board of Skål International Frankfurt International,
