In 2017 the German National Tourist Board (GNTB) will be putting the 500th anniversary of the Reformation at the centre of its global sales and marketing activities along with the ancillary theme of ‘Palaces, Parks and Gardens’. “2017 onwards, we will be pushing new segment of honeymoon travel to Bavaria, Southwest Germany, Munich, Baden-Baden, Garmisch and unexplored boutique towns, said Romit Theophilus, Director-Sales and Marketing, GNTO, in an exclusive to Travel Span. Wedding is another segment that we would like to promote in the Indian market. For next year, we are also looking forward to tie-up with Indian film producers to shoot in Germany. This will showcase the country in a good light,” informed Theophilus.
The German National Tourist Office (GNTO), India office is hopeful of launching ‘Destination Germany – Online Training Programme’ by 2017. There are several Tier-II and III cities waiting to be tapped said Theophilus. India feels that the roll out of this long-awaited online training programme will further strengthen the German product knowledge among the small-town agents. GNTO India office also plans to do webinars targeting to educate 500 more agents this year.
GNTO India office along with eight German partners recently completed its four-city roadshow covering Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata and New Delhi witnessing a turnout of about 650 travel agents and tour operators. The networking event in New Delhi also noticed presence of 50 select agents.
About 560,000 Indian travellers visited Deutschland (Germany) in the first 10 months (January-October) of this year, a balanced mix of leisure and MICE/business visitors. This is an increase of 4.4% over the same period the previous year and has shifted the ranking of Indian market as the 20th inbound source market for Germany Tourism vis a vis India being 25th inbound market in 2015. Since inception in the Indian market to till date, GNTO has observed 87% growth in Indian bed-nights.
By the year end, GNTO India office is confident of registering 600,000 Indian overnights, with a 3% to 5% increase in 2016 over 2015. GNTO has also forecasted two million overnights from India by 2030.
For Germany Travel Mart 2017 in Nuremburg, Bavaria from May 7 to 9, 2017, GNTO India office has already finalised 10 Indian operators, a mix of new and repeat ones. This 43rd GTM will be hosted by the German National Tourist Board (GNTB) in conjunction with Bayern Tourism Marketing GmbH.
Focusing on online marketing and promotions, Theophilus informed about the ‘Germany Tourism’ India centric Facebook page which has so far garnered 600,000 likes since its launch in February this year. The tourism board is currently running a ‘Christmas Wanderlust’ online quiz with daily raffle draw and a grand prize to be conferred at the end.
