GERMANY is witnessing fast growth in leisure travel from the Indian market, which was previously largely corporate-focused, according to the latest statistics of the German National Tourism Office (GNTO).
For January-August 2014, leisure and business travel shares stood at 42 and 58 per cent respectively, compared with last full year’s 30 and 70 per cent respectively.
GNTO India director of sales and marketing, Romit Theophilus, said: “Earlier, Indian tourists didn’t consider Germany as a holiday destination, but now they realise there is a lot to explore in Germany for leisure. Stuttgart, Munich, Frankfurt and Berlin are now hugely popular among Indians as leisure destinations.”
GNTO kicked off yesterday in New Delhi a multi-city roadshow that will also cover Bengaluru and Mumbai. More than 10 suppliers from Germany are participating in these roadshows.
Maritim Hotels director of international sales, Mark Spivey, shared: “We are seeing an increase in leisure business from India.
“Indian leisure traffic is predominantly South Germany-centric. Families who have done Switzerland and Austria are looking at Germany as a great value-for-money destination. Indian leisure business has also picked up for theme parks.”
The hotel group has recorded 30 per cent year-to-date growth from the Indian market.
“The demand for leisure travel is coming from markets like New Delhi, Mumbai and Gujarat. However, we are also looking to tap other markets like Chennai, Hyderabad and Bengaluru,” he added.
