Showcasing tailor-made tourism offers

Dubai, 30 April 2014 - Following a hugely successful participation at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) last year, the German National Tourist Office (GNTO), local affiliate of the German National Tourist Board (GNTB) in the Gulf region, is all set to showcase its travel and tourism opportunities at the ATM 2014 to be held in Dubai World Trade Centre for four days from May 5 to 8, 2014.

"The ATM is a significant event in the arena of international travel and tourism in the Middle East and it will be a great opportunity for us and our partners to participate in it this year," said Maria Amaral, Manager of the Marketing & Sales Office Gulf Countries at the German National Tourist Office (GNTO) in Gulf region. "The ATM provides us the link to set up friendly ties with the GCC countries through travel and tourism. Last year, the event gave us the necessary boost to promote exciting travel and tourism opportunities with representatives of the tourist and travel industry in the Middle East. We are looking forward to greater interaction and better business options with the industry representatives of the region," she added.

Destination Germany offers a variety of travel packages and some great deals that visitors to the country can choose from to suit their budget and requirement. Finding the perfect accommodation is also not a problem. Families can avail the benefit of Vacation homes for a 'Home away from Home' experience or go in for a stylish vacation by choosing a luxury accommodation in an exotic castle or palace or maybe a villa in an enchanting environment. For the young traveller there are guest houses and youth hostels, while the adventurous young Arab can choose to stay at campsites according to his budget.

With more than 1.5 million overnight stays by tourists from the Gulf region in 2013, which is an all-time record according to the figures supplied by the Federal Statistical Office, Arab travel to Germany has provided a 20 per cent year-on-year growth for the industry in the country. "The GCC being Germany's fourth largest non-European market source, GNTO's participation in the ATM brings to enthusiastic Arab tourists varied travel options to the country. Our participation in the ATM this year serves to focus on families and young Arab travellers," Amaral went on to elaborate.

Germany has an abundance of historical and architectural monuments to attract visitors from all over the world. Be it the military structures of Ancient Rome, Gothic structures, the princely houses of Baroque architecture or the landscapes of Classicism, Germany has them all. "But Germany is not all history and architecture alone," Maria Amaral notes. "The country has several natural and picturesque parks and river valleys that make Arab visitors of all age fall madly in love with it. Not to forget the numerous attractive shopping facilities and malls, dream-like nature of the German cities, amusement parks and the moderate climate. All this make travelling to destination Germany an enjoyable experience for young people, and also an ideal place for a family holiday."

At this year's ATM, the GNTB will be present at stand number EU 8225 together with several partners, including German regions, cities, hotels, airlines as well as destination management companies, and will exhibit a varied number of services and products. Amongstthesepartnersare:  Frankfurt Airport, Tourismus+Congress GmbH Frankfurt am Main, Baden-Württemberg, Black Forest Highlands, Baden-Baden Tourist Board, Eurotours Deutschland Gesellschaft mbH, Kastens Hotel Luisenhof in Hannover, Düsseldorf Tourist Board, Düsseldorf airport, Excelsior Hotel Ernst, Cologne Tourist Board, Hotel Palace Berlin, Wiesbaden Marketing Gmbh and Alpha Travel Consultants.

Germany also boasts good infrastructure and convenient transportation that makes moving around trouble-free and agreeable for the Arab tourist who is used to similar benefits in the Middle East. Public transport in Germany is one of the best in Europe. Almost all places in Germany are well connected through an efficient network of trains and trams and frequent bus services as well. Germans are car lovers and travellers to the country with a valid driving licence can take advantage of the autobahn.
        
It is worth mentioning that travel opportunities to Germany have earlier been promoted in the GCC through road shows in Kuwait and the UAE. The recently conducted road show, 'Dallal fi Almania 2014' meaning "Feel Good in Germany" was organized by GNTO, in affiliation with Lufthansa German Airlines.

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 for 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.

© Press Release 2014