FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Travel to Germany, January to October 2012
Sharp rise in travel to Germany during the first ten months of 2012
New York, January 24, 2013 – Travel to Germany is increasing at a faster rate than ever. According to statistics from the Federal Statistical Office, overnight stays by international visitors in accommodation establishments with more than ten beds totalled 59.8 million in the first ten months of 2012. This equates to an increase of 8.3 per cent compared with the same period of the previous year. “By October we were already approaching the unprecedented threshold of 60 million overnight stays”, explained Ernst Burgbacher, Member of the German Parliament, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for Economics and Technology and Federal Government Commissioner for SMEs and Tourism.
The numbers from the US market, which grew by a total of 4.4 per cent between January and October or 4,248 million US overnights, highlight that Germany remains one of America’s favourite travel destinations in Europe.
“For 2013, we expect to maintain these excellent numbers both overall and in the American market as many high profile events promise to make this year exceptional”, said Ricarda Lindner, Regional Manager of the German National Tourist Office. Celebrating the 200th anniversary of the Brothers Grimm beckons visitors take a tour along the German Fairytale Road and join the many nationwide fairytale exhibitions, events and open air festivals. 200 years of Richard Wagner will offer a variety of spectacular concerts and festivals in honour of one of Germany’s most famous and influential composers. Highlight as every year is the Richard Wagner Festival in Bayreuth from July 25 until August 28, 2013. Lastly, a multitude of exhibitions will open in the federal states of Thuringia and Saxony highlighting the life of architect, painter and interior designer Henry van de Velde whose 150th anniversary of his birth is being celebrated this year.
About the GNTB
The German National Tourist Board (GNTB) has its headquarters in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. It works on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology (BMWi) to represent Germany as a tourist destination and is funded by the Ministry in accordance with a decision taken by the German Bundestag. The GNTB develops and communicates strategies and products to promote Germany’s positive image abroad as a tourist destination and to encourage tourists to visit the country. It has 30 agencies around the world to support its activities. More information can be found in our online press centre at www.germany.travel/presse.
Wibke Carter
Public Relations Manager North America
German National Tourist Office
122 East 42nd Street, Suite 2000
New York, New York 10168-0072
+1 212-661-7200 ext. 223 or 212-661-7175
