TravTalk India Online Magazine
With an increased marketing budget for the India market, Frankfurt Tourist Congress Board is targeting the travel trade through trade shows and exhibitions.
In 2016, up to November,approximately 90,000 Indian overnights were recorded in Frankfurt while the destination also witnessed a fair share of day trippers, informed Dr. Annette Biener, Manager- China, India, South Korea, Austria, South-Eastern Europe, Russia and Turkey, Frankfurt Tourist Congress Board. “We would like to increase the number of Indians visiting Frankfurt as the dynamics of the market is very positive, almost 17+ per cent, which shows that there is high traffic that can be expected from the Indian market to Frankfurt,” she says. Biener further points out that the average duration of stay of an Indian guest in Frankfurt is 1.7 days which is usually a day trip or clubbed with other destinations.
Last year, Frankfurt saw leisure and MICE travellers along with trade fair attendees. Out of these segments the percentage share of MICE and trade fair attendees was higher, adds Biener. For 2017 and 2018, the tourist board is offering a variety of tourism products including history, culture, nightlife, cruising and endless options for Indian cuisine. “We have restored the old city centre as it was like before World War II and this can be visited by the end of this year. By next year we will also open doors to a German Romantic Museum which can be visited by Indian travelers during the Valentine’s week or otherwise,” says Biener.
Speaking about their plans for the India market, Biener elaborates that they are closely working with various travel agencies, planning their fam trips to Frankfurt, attending many travel trade shows like OTM, conducting sales visits and also interacting with the wholesalers in the tourism industry. “We are increasing our marketing and promotional budgets in 2017 for the Indian market. We have partnered with a PR agency in hopes to tap into the market better. Frankfurt Tourist Congress Board also has a dedicated conventions department that caters to all MICE enquires,” adds Biener.
