Staying the course charted in the previous three years, Destination Germany increased foreign overnight numbers in 2013, this time breaking the 70 million barrier. Preliminary figures released by Germany’s Federal Statistics Office state that foreign guests spent 71.6 million nights last year in German hotels with ten or more beds, an increase of four percent over 2012. “Presenting itself in prime form, the German tourism brand continues to see growth in demand from foreign countries, despite difficult economic conditions in Europe and beyond.” says German National Tourist Board (GNTB) CEO Petra Hedorfer.
Five source markets generate close to half of the 2013 growth
Foreign overnights for January through November 2013 increased by close to three million. 46 percent (1.3 million overnights) were generated by visitors from Great Britain (349,000), Russia (322,000), Switzerland (248,000), the Arabian Gulf nations (237,000) and Poland (173,000).
Bavaria continues to receive the highest number of all foreign overnights, followed by Germany’s capital, Berlin, with the state of Baden-Württemberg in third place.
Growth from European countries stays the course
For the fourth year in a row, Germany ranked second, after Spain, as favored destination among European visitors. Representing three quarters of all foreign overnights, Europe remains the most important source market for Destination Germany.
Overseas markets go from strength to strength
Both North and South America continue to provide 10 percent of Germany’s overnight total. Strong, dynamic growth is seen from Asian countries and especially China and the Arab Gulf nations.
Positive Outlook for 2014 and beyond
Underpinned by the results of the latest United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) study, the German National Tourist Board expects demand for Destination Germany to remain strong. The UNWTO predicts worldwide travel to increase by 4 to 4.5 percent in 2014, with Europe’s share at 3 to 4 percent. “For Destination Germany, we count on an increase of 1 to 3 percent in 2014. As for the long term, though, for 2020, we believe a total of 80-million foreign overnights is a realistic figure.” concluded GNTB’s CEO Petra Hedorfer,
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