German incoming tourism figures are heading for the 80 million mark for 2015, according to the latest information from the Federal Statistical Office.

The volume of international overnights, in accommodation properties of at least ten beds, grew to 74.2 million overnights to November, an increase of 5.6 per cent compared with the same period in 2014.

Petra Hedorfer, chief executive, the German National Tourist Board, illustrates the numbers at hand: “Even compared with other European destinations, Germany’s incoming numbers scored an above average result.

“According to the latest estimates by Eurostat, the number of international overnights in EU countries will grow by an average of 3.5 per cent.

“With our prognosis of 5.7 per cent, we are well above this value and also rank above all other big tourism destinations.”

With a growth of 11.1 per cent through the end of November, the international source markets confirm their role as growth engines for German incoming tourism.

Despite the current economic and currency risks in some high potential markets, overnight stays from China, for example, were 26.1 per cent higher year-over-year, while they were 17.9 per cent higher from the Arab Gulf States and 16.7 per cent higher from South Korea.

The US confirm their position as the most important non-European source market in third place of all markets with an increase of 8.2 per cent.

All-important European source markets for Germany’s incoming tourism scored higher results through to the end of November than during the same period the previous year.

Some uncertainty greets the start to 2016.