“Last year for the first time, overnight stays by visitors from abroad passed the record-breaking 60 million mark”, said Petra Hedorfer, Chief Executive Officer of the German National Tourist Board (GNTB). Figures released by the German Federal Statistical Office show that overnight stays in Germany by visitors from abroad totalled 60.3 million last year. Visitors from other European countries accounted for more than 76 per cent of all overnight stays by visitors from outside Germany. Overall, upward trends were recorded in both holiday and business travel.

“Provided the market continues to perform well and with our targeted, customerfocused marketing to build upon, it is realistic to predict that overnight stays by
visitors from abroad will pass the 80 million mark in the next ten years”, explained Petra Hedorfer. This year, large numbers of visitors from all over the
world are again expected to travel to Germany for major international events such as the FIFA Women’s World Cup Germany 2011™ and the celebrations
surrounding the 125th anniversary of the motor car. Beyond this, the GNTB theme for 2011 ‘Health and wellness travel in Germany’ is tapping into the huge
demand in this segment and positioning it within its international marketing activities.