FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
An unprecedented boost for Destination Germany: 25 years since the fall of the Berlin Wall and 25 years of German unity
New York, April 22, 2014 – The fall of the Berlin Wall and the reunification of Germany are among the most important milestones in recent German history. What’s more, the events of that time gave the country’s inbound tourism industry an unprecedented boost. “Reunification has been a boon to all Germans,” says Iris Gleicke, Member of the German Parliament and Federal Government Commissioner for the New Federal States and for SMEs and Tourism. “The harmonization is clearly visible in the modernized and – in many places – carefully restored city centers, the improved transport routes and an internationally competitive medium-sized business sector in eastern Germany. Huge potential and major opportunities exist in the rural regions there. It is therefore important to further strengthen the tourism infrastructure,” continued Gleicke, who is also Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy.
“Since 1993, when inbound tourism statistics were first recorded for the country as a whole, the number of overnight stays by foreign visitors in Germany has almost doubled. A total of 34.1 million additional overnight stays have been made by visitors from abroad, with 11.8 million of those in the new federal states in eastern Germany,” says Petra Hedorfer, Chief Executive Officer of the German National Tourist Board (GNTB). Destination Germany excelled itself in 2013, with the number of overnight stays by international visitors surpassing the milestone 70-million mark for the first time, increasing by 4,5 per cent compared to the previous year.
The GNTB is taking the opportunity to put the anniversaries of the fall of the Berlin Wall and German reunification at the heart of its international sales and marketing activities for 2014 and 2015. “25 years on from the fall of the Wall, we are presenting Destination Germany from 25 exciting new perspectives. The campaign highlights cultural attractions and captivating landscapes in every region,” continues Hedorfer. The campaign highlights cultural attractions and captivating landscapes in every region,” continues Hedorfer.
Outstanding infrastructure in all parts of Germany
In the 25 years since reunification, the transport and tourism infrastructures in both eastern and western Germany have been continually expanded and optimized, making modern-day Germany a travel destination with much to offer.
Extensive marketing measures for key themes
Twenty-five years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, the GNTB is showcasing the great variety of tourist attractions available in Destination Germany through a range of sales and marketing activities that target top international media, key market players, the travel industry and the travelling public using all online and offline media channels. Multimedia content exploring 25 perspectives of modern Germany is available from www.germany.travel/faszination-einheit. The GNTB is also posting related video clips on social networks. Other activities planned include around 30 press conferences, press highlight tours and PR events in relevant source markets, such as the Netherlands, Spain, Hungary and Japan. To ensure a smooth flow of communication, the GNTB is providing comprehensive information on the 25th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall and German reunification, which is available in 30 languages from the press section of its website at www.germany.travel/presse.
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 Economic Affairs and Energy (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
Head of PR North America
German National Tourist Office
122 East 42nd Street, Suite 2000
New York, New York 10168-0072
Ph: +1 212-661-7200 ext. 223 or 212-661-7175
Fax: +1 212 687 4138
www.twitter.com/germanytourism
Maralyn D. Hill, M.Ed., The Epicurean Explorer
Executive Editor, LuxeBeatMag.com
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