Germany eyes buoyant India market

The German National Tourist Office (India) conducted its annual four city roadshow to introduce its theme – Palaces, Parks and Gardens for 2017.

TT BUREAU

Eight German partners ranging from German state tourist boards, airlines, hotels and cruise lines participated in the roadshows, conducting B2B meetings with the Indian travel agents on latest offers, highlights and attractions for Indian travellers. Germany recorded over 500,432 overnights from India for the period of January-August, 2016, corresponding to a 4.4 per cent growth over the same period in 2015, informs Romit Theophilus, Director of Sales and Marketing, GNTO (India), adding that of this, 50 per cent tourists are leisure travellers while the rest are business travellers. He adds that the tourist figures may actually be higher as there is no definitive data yet for the overnights in alternate accommodations like Airbnb, river cruises and apartments. “At present, India ranks 20th in our global figures for the top 20 source markets for Germany. We want to reassure the Indian travel trade that we are very serious about promoting leisure and business tourism to Germany. We had both the Ambassador and the Visa Counselor with us to share their experience, encourage the travel trade to book more holidays to Germany and that it is the most affordable destination in Europe.” Germany is concentrating on its theme-Palaces Parks and Gardens in 2017. “We have launched our Facebook page – Germany Tourism for the India market and look forward to it becoming a hub for discussions relating to travel to Germany, sharing itineraries, exciting travel finds in the country and lots more. We are focusing more on online promotional strategy to promote Germany in India. In 2017 we are expecting anywhere between 3-5 per cent growth year on year.”