With an increase of four per cent in overnight stays, the German National Tourist Office UK & Ireland has retained its position as the third most important European source market for the destination in 2018. 

Overnights from Ireland are also impressive – a rise of 7.6 per cent has taken the number of overnights by visitors from Ireland over the half million mark, registering 536,733 overnight stays in 2018.

Last year saw the ninth consecutive rise and record result for Germany’s incoming tourism overall; with an increase of five per cent, German incoming tourism grew even more dynamically in 2018 than in the previous two years.

The federal states of Bavaria, Berlin, Baden-Wurttemberg, North-Rhine Westphalia and Hesse were the most popular destinations, based on the number of overnight stays by foreign visitors. 

UK visitors were the largest visitor group for Berlin (measured in overnight stays) and the nearby state of Brandenburg reported almost a 50 per cent increase compared to the previous year (in overnights from the UK). 

Bavaria saw the highest increase for visitors from Ireland.

During 2019, the German National Tourist Board worldwide will be celebrating the 100th Anniversary of Bauhaus, the visionary arts, design and architecture movement which started in Weimar in 1919 - the influence of which can still be seen around the world to this day. 

The German National Tourist Board worldwide recently launched its German Summer Cities campaign to promote the appeal of Germany as a summer destination – from its picture-book lakes and mountains, to long, sandy coastlines or the inspiring activities and summer events to be found in Germany’s cities.

Beatrix Haun, director of the GNTO UK & Ireland, commented: “The UK and Ireland are both very special source markets for Germany, with many mutual cultural and lifestyle associations.

“The increase seen in 2018’s yearend figures demonstrates the on-going appeal of Germany as a year-round destination and we hope our campaigns for 2019 will prove equally popular. 

“We’re looking forward to welcoming even more visitors from Ireland and the UK to Germany in future.”