GERMANY welcomed more Indian arrivals in 2013 despite the severe devaluation of the Indian rupee and economic downturn, with arrivals growing five per cent year-on-year to 628,544.
Speaking at the German National Tourist Board’s (GNTB) India Pool roadshow last week, Romit Theophilus, director-marketing & sales, German National Tourist Office in India, said: “We are optimistic for 2014, and expect the growth rate to be back in double digits (since 2011) and to have 1.5 million Indian visitor overnights by 2020.”
To do that, GNTB will promote Germany’s UNESCO World Heritage sites and the Berlin Wall, as 2014 marks the 25th anniversary of the Fall of the Wall, said Theophilus.
Wolfgang Gärtner, head of international marketing, Tourism Marketing Company of Saxony, said his company had customised three itineraries for the Indian market. “We have the only Dresden-based Indian tour guide who’s certified. The automobile-making tradition of our region is an added bonus for Indian car aficionados.”
Sanjay Maniar, managing director, Travelaid, said: “Germany is usually a two- to three-night destination for Indians but interest is rising with GNTB’s promotions. Indians are looking beyond Black Forest and Oktoberfest, and Berlin is very high on the must-do list.”
