Destination Germany gains in popularity for South Africans
Destinations
Germany as a destination is more popular than ever achieving impressive figures despite the tough global economic situation. 63,8 million overnight stays by foreign visitors equates to a 6 percent increase compared to 2010.
Germany as a destination is more popular than ever achieving impressive figures despite the tough global economic situation. 63,8 million overnight stays by foreign visitors equates to a 6 percent increase compared to 2010. This figure is reflected in the increase of South African overnight stays in Germany by 5,1 percent in 2011. Research indicates that South Africans visiting Germany are mostly interested in cities and culture focusing on wellness, special offers and country highlights.
In 2011, Germany strengthened its position as one of Europe’s favourite travel destinations generating considerable growth from the key source markets. The recorded growth of around 6 percent establishes Germany in 2011 as the second most popular travel destination among Europeans after Spain, which grew by approximately 9 percent. This result, which is based on preliminary data from IPK International, shows that Germany has continued to extend its lead over France which grew around 2 percent. “Despite the crisis, we anticipate that the incoming sector will grow by up to 3 percent by the end of this year,” explains Petra Hedorfer, Chief Executive Officer of the German National Tourist Board (GNTB). Business travel makes up around 30 percent of all incoming travel equating to a spend of almost Euro 15 billion per year and therefore a crucial factor to Germany’s economy. Half of those business visitors attend trade fairs, meetings, incentives, congresses and events. Internationally Germany ranks 2nd place after the USA for incoming business travel and in Europe is placed first. 2012 promises to be a busy year in Germany for trade fairs, with many international events taking place in the country.
The German National Tourist Board expects the annual volume of overnight stays by foreign visitors to pass the 80 million mark by 2020 on the back of continued market growth and of customer orientated, targeted marketing activities.
About the GNTB
The German National Tourist Board (GNTB) has its headquarters in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. It works on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology (BMWi) to represent Germany as a tourist destination and is funded by the Ministry in accordance with a decision taken by the German Bundestag. The GNTB develops and communicates strategies and products to promote Germany’s positive mage abroad as a tourist destination and to encourage tourists to visit the country. I has 30 agencies around the world to support its activities. More information can be found in our online press centre at www.germany.travel/presse.
In 2011, Germany strengthened its position as one of Europe’s favourite travel destinations generating considerable growth from the key source markets. The recorded growth of around 6 percent establishes Germany in 2011 as the second most popular travel destination among Europeans after Spain, which grew by approximately 9 percent. This result, which is based on preliminary data from IPK International, shows that Germany has continued to extend its lead over France which grew around 2 percent. “Despite the crisis, we anticipate that the incoming sector will grow by up to 3 percent by the end of this year,” explains Petra Hedorfer, Chief Executive Officer of the German National Tourist Board (GNTB). Business travel makes up around 30 percent of all incoming travel equating to a spend of almost Euro 15 billion per year and therefore a crucial factor to Germany’s economy. Half of those business visitors attend trade fairs, meetings, incentives, congresses and events. Internationally Germany ranks 2nd place after the USA for incoming business travel and in Europe is placed first. 2012 promises to be a busy year in Germany for trade fairs, with many international events taking place in the country.
The German National Tourist Board expects the annual volume of overnight stays by foreign visitors to pass the 80 million mark by 2020 on the back of continued market growth and of customer orientated, targeted marketing activities.
About the GNTB
The German National Tourist Board (GNTB) has its headquarters in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. It works on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology (BMWi) to represent Germany as a tourist destination and is funded by the Ministry in accordance with a decision taken by the German Bundestag. The GNTB develops and communicates strategies and products to promote Germany’s positive mage abroad as a tourist destination and to encourage tourists to visit the country. I has 30 agencies around the world to support its activities. More information can be found in our online press centre at www.germany.travel/presse.
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