The German National Tourist Office (GNTO), India, in collaboration with Visit Berlin, hosted an exclusive press event at AER. The evening showcased Germany as a premier travel destination, highlighting Berlin's cultural and vibrant attractions for Indian travellers. Guests indulged in traditional German cuisine, sampling local flavours.
Attended by leading media personalities, influential influencers, social media engagers, and content creators from Mumbai, the event witnessed remarkable participation. Key representatives from Visit Berlin, Burkhard Kieker, Chief Executive Officer and Ralf Ostendorf, Director Market & Media Relations presented encouraging statistics, revealing a significant growth in Indian visitors with 59.800 overnights until July 2024 with a growth of 25 per cent compared to the year 2023.
The evening highlighted Berlin's upcoming festivals, Festival of Lights 2024 from October 4 to 13, themed Celebrating Freedom and 35 years later, Berlin will commemorate the fall of the Wall, official ceremonies are planned for November 9, 2024. “Germany has a wealth of experiences awaiting Indian travellers," stated Romit Theophilus, Director, German National Tourist Office, India. “From vibrant cities to stunning landscapes, Germany as a travel destination offers an unparalleled blend of culture, history, and entertainment.”
In 2023, Indian travellers undertook 15.25 million outbound trips, with 2.8 million heading to Europe, including 311,000 to Germany which ranked as the third most popular European destination. Tour holidays and city breaks are the top choices for Indian travellers but Germany’s scenic landscapes also make it a dream destination for Indian honeymoon trips, capturing the magic of Bollywood-inspired love stories. The numbers show 440,577overnight stays from January to June 2024, a significant improvement from the 6.9 per cent decline in June 2023. This upward trend indicates a strong interest in Germany as a travel destination among Indian tourists. The successful event sets the stage for GNTO India's four city roadshow in November, where Visit Berlin will join other German partners to interact with travel agents across India.