Maritim’s International Business Under New Leadership

Dirk Burneleit Appointed Managing Director of HMS

Hotel Management Services International GmbH (HMS), headquartered in Cologne, has been managing the international expansion of Maritim Hotelgesellschaft since 2004. HMS has been part of the German Finanzbau-Maritim Group since 2011.

After eight years as Managing Director of HMS, Peter Wennel (66) will retire at the end of the year. Dirk Burneleit (58) will succeed him and take up the position on 1 January 2026. Burneleit most recently served as Head of Global Hotel Development at Cologne-based DERTOUR Group.

Reflecting on his career, Peter Wennel said: “After 43 years in tourism and hospitality – nearly 20 of them in executive roles – I am grateful to look back on a fulfilling and successful professional life in the industry I have always been passionate about. I wish my successor Dirk Burneleit every success and enjoyment in his new role within the Maritim family. Working for an owner-managed German hotel group has always been something special to me.”

Dr Monika Gommolla, Owner and Chairwoman of the Supervisory Board of Maritim Hotelgesellschaft mbH, added: “Peter Wennel has driven the further internationalisation of the Maritim Group with great dedication and commitment. I would like to express my sincere thanks for his outstanding contribution and wish him many active and rewarding years in this new phase of life.”

With Dirk Burneleit, an experienced hospitality and tourism expert will assume responsibility for Maritim’s international growth strategy. A trained hotel professional and former hotel director, he brings four decades of industry experience to his role. Since 2012, he has held senior leadership positions in strategy, consulting and hotel development, including the Managing Director position for the foundation of ANEX Tour GmbH Germany.

“We are delighted to welcome Dirk Burneleit as the new Managing Director within the Finanzbau-Maritim Group and look forward to working together to further strengthen Maritim’s presence in international markets,” Dr Gommolla concluded.