15th win for MCI: Alumnus receives DGT Science Award

Jan-Patrick Teichmann wins prestigious DGT Science Award in the category “Best Emerging Thesis” | Award presented at the global tourism fair ITB in Berlin

MCI graduate of the master's program Entrepreneurship & Tourism Jan Patrick Teichmann received the coveted DGT Science Award for outstanding theses at the world's largest tourism trade fair ITB in Berlin. His master’s thesis „Loyalitätsprogramme in der Hotellerie: Der Einfluss von Wechselbarrieren auf die Markentreue“ won the category “Best Emerging Thesis“, marking the 15th consecutive MCI work to be honored by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Tourismuswissenschaft (DGT e.V.).

Teichmann’s thesis explored the extent to which the perceived value of a loyalty program in the hotel industry is related to satisfaction, affective commitment, switching barriers, and brand loyalty. The goal was to provide recommendations for hotel companies in Europe to enhance customer loyalty.

Sabine Mertens, supervisor of the winning thesis, explains, "The area of switching barriers in the context of loyalty programs in the hotel industry has received little attention in research until now. Mr. Teichmann has excellently addressed this by theoretically exploring a complex, almost unexplored topic and deriving practical implications."

Cornelia Hagele, Tyrolean Councillor for Education, Science, and Research, says, “The fact that MCI alumni regularly receive the DGT Science Award is impressive and confirms the high quality of education and research at the Entrepreneurial School®. Congratulations!"

Mario Gerber, Tyrolean Councillor for Tourism, Economy und Digitization, adds, "Research work such as this and the knowledge gained from it make a significant contribution to the further development of Tyrol as a business and tourism location. I am delighted that the important work of MCI is being recognized on such a prestigious and internationally renowned stage as the ITB."