Since opening an office in Singapore this January, the German National Tourist Board (GNTB) has identified Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia as key target markets in South-east Asia.
Arrivals from Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia rose by 15.4, 15.5 and 16.1 per cent respectively from 2015 to 2016, while the figure for Indonesian arrivals is currently unavailable.
Neuschwanstein, Bavaria
Further growth is expected from these origin countries as “travellers seek newer destinations in central Europe”, explained Chun Hoy Yuen, director of marketing & sales for Germany National Tourism Office (GNTO) – Singapore (ASEAN), who added that the NTO also “(aims) to encourage more people to stay longer in the country”.
The board has forecasted that overnight stays by visitors from Asia-Pacific will increase by 122.7 per cent by 2030.
Till Weigl, GNTB’s international market relations manager for Asia and Australia, elaborated: “Many travellers start or end their journey in Germany… Germany-exclusive routes usually focus on the alpine region, the Black Forest region and the capital Berlin.”
To nudge travellers towards longer stays, GNTB aims to “extend the routes also towards the north and the German shoreline as well as focus on the beautiful scenery in the east of Germany”, said Weigl.
In line with this, GNTB will promote its Destination Germany campaign through annual themes, with 2018’s being “Culinary Germany”, the 200th anniversary of Karl Marx’s birth and the European Athletics Championships in August at The Olympiastadion Berlin.
The board is gearing its marketing efforts towards digital channels, with an emphasis on social media campaigns and collaboration. Its website, www.germany.travel, has recorded a total of 10 million visits to date.
GNTB also recently set up office in Buenos Aires to pursue the Argentinian and Chilean markets, and its Dubai sales office underwent a facelift earlier this year.
Every good road trip, needs good food. But an unforgettable road trip, needs the best food! Imagine winding our way through lush Italian vineyards in our own Budget hire car; stopping in picturesque French villages to sample ripe grapes and cheese, or pulling in for a traditional seafood lunch on Spain’s Basque coast, or having a pit-stop at a quaint English café to feast on homemade scones with jam and cream.
If the thought of Prosciutto di Parma, Parmesan cheese and balsamic vinegar turn you weak at the knees, then Italy is the place for a Budget self-guided drive! The Emilia-Romagna region is famous for some of the richest, most delicious foods in the cities of Parma, Modena and Bologna. 
And besides these delectable fares, the diversity of the region between the mountains and the sea offers visitors breath-taking views of the region. And on top of all this, Emilia Romagna is also a hotbed for music, cinema and art appreciated nationally and internationally.
With car windows rolled down, we’ll be able to experience some of Portugal’s stunning neo-classical architecture and natural vistas, stopping to immerse ourselves in the region’s food and wine of Portugal. Porto is an obvious starting point, famed for its fortified wine, custard tarts and fresh produce.
What better way to start the road trip in Portugal than with a picnic basket of appetising food and beverage to accompany us along the way! Just take it easy on the wine, but it also gives us a reason to sojourn and spend the night in a Pousada or a Manor or in other unique luxury Portuguese lodging!
Avetisyan (left) and Shum
