Dr Michael Frenzel was born in Leipzig on 2 March 1947. After matriculation, he studied law at Ruhr University in Bochum, and successfully completed his doctorate (Dr. jur.) whilst working at the University as a scientific assistant. In 1988, he became a member of the Preussag AG executive board, being responsible for Trading and Logistics. He was promoted to chairman of the executive board in January 1994. Under his leadership, the multi-business conglomerate Preussag was repositioned into Europe’s leading tourism Group within only a few years. One of the main milestones was the acquisition of a stake in Hapag-Lloyd in 1997. This was followed by the acquisition of leading tourism companies such as TUI/Hanover, Thomson Travel/London, and Nouvelles Frontières/Paris. On 1 July 2002, the annual general meeting passed a resolution to change the name of Preussag AG to TUI AG. With effect from 13th February 2013 he resigned as Chief executive officer of TUI AG. In his capacity as the president of BTW (Federal Association of the German Tourism Industry) as well as the Past Chairman of WTTC (World Travel & Tourism Council) Frenzel represents the interests of the tourism sector within important associations. In December 2017 he has been appointed as Special Ambassador of Tourism by the Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). Since September 2012 he is also Honorary Chairman of the Global Tourism Economy Forum, Macau.