Friedrich Roth

Strategy & Business Development | Camping & Travel

Greater Hamburg Area

About

Strategy often reminds me of navigating the backcountry: understanding the terrain, choosing the right route, and adjusting when conditions change. It’s not just a metaphor — it’s how I think, and how I work. With two decades of experience across tourism, I bring clarity to complex markets. I translate market insights into decision-ready perspectives, bridging the gap between strategic analysis and concrete product concepts. As COO of a North America travel specialist and later in business development at a fast-growing camper start-up, I didn’t just advise — I led, built, and delivered. That’s what separates strategic thinking from strategic doing. Today, I work independently with a focus on camping and outdoor travel, advising brands, platforms, and operators — helping them sharpen their positioning and translate strategy into concrete concepts and decisions. Alongside this, I share that perspective as a Lecturer and Project Mentor at Hochschule Fresenius in Hamburg. Strong strategy starts with understanding people and context. Always open to exchanging perspectives.

Experience

  • Strategy & Business Development I Camping & Travel at Freelance
    Jun 2021 - Present · 5 yrs 1 mo

    Most briefs I receive share a common thread: something isn't connecting — between the brand and its audience, the product and the market, or the strategy and reality. I work with platforms and brands in camping and travel — helping them understand where they stand, where they could go — and what might be holding them back. Recent clients include Camping.info and Wildwood Camping. Grounded in real market understanding. And hands-on experience in the field — literally. Always open to exchanging perspectives.

  • Senior Consultant (external) at PROJECT M GmbH
    Aug 2025 - Present · 11 mos

    Within the Project M network, I advise on and develop projects at the intersection of camping, experiential travel, and experience-oriented visitor concepts — combining market insight with spatial planning perspectives and user-centered thinking

  • Lecturer and Project Mentor / Tourism & Digital Marketing at Hochschule Fresenius
    Aug 2021 - Present · 4 yrs 11 mos

    Lecturer and project mentor at Hochschule Fresenius Hamburg — bringing real-world industry perspective into applied teaching across tourism management and digital marketing. Supervising student projects from concept to evaluation, including Overland Connect — a concept I initiated and developed with students as a digital ecosystem connecting the overland travel community. A role that keeps me close to the next generation of tourism professionals — and sharpens my own thinking in return.

  • Business Development Lead at CamperBoys GmbH
    Sep 2021 - Jul 2024 · 2 yrs 11 mos

    Led strategic growth initiatives beyond core rentals, expanding Off Campers’ business model through new services and B2B partnerships. Developed and launched scalable offerings including digital travel services, subscription-based fleet utilization and partner fleet models, enabling growth without proportional capital investment.

  • Auszeit / Reset at Self-employed
    Oct 2020 - Mar 2021 · 6 mos