·
· Germany and Berlin in
particular are popular destinations for GCC residents due to unique culture,
craftmanship, nature and culinary experiences
· Having vaccinated over 70% of the country’s population, the UAE, plus Saudi Arabia top the list of target inbound nations
Dubai, United
Arab Emirates, 17 May 2021: The German
National Tourist Board (GNTB) is participating at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) this
week, which is taking place at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), the first
international travel trade event to take place in-person since the outbreak.
The GNTB wanted to raise awareness of
what Germany and in particular Berlin, has to offer city, nature and culture
enthusiasts living in the GCC countries, by showcasing the exciting facets and
flair of Germany such as customs, crafts, local food and drink, culture and
architecture, and the varied countryside and nature on the doorstep of many
German cities.
The German
capital Berlin is
also looking forward to welcoming visitors from across the GCC to discover a
reinvented city that has something new to discover on every corner, space for
free spirits and a fascinating mix of heritage and innovation.
Despite a
difficult 12-months, this year has realised many landmark projects in the city,
such as the opening of the reconstructed city palace, the prestigious Humboldt
Forum, and the reopening of Berlin’s leading art addresses, the Neue
Nationalgalerie at the Kulturforum, underlining the intriguing nature of this
ever-changing city.
The U5 metro
line also has a new section connecting Berlin's many cultural attractions, and
the new international Berlin airport (BER) is also now
open, a positive signal for improved global connections at a difficult time for
the tourism and congress industry.
Under the Berlin
Health Excellence Initiative, launched by visitBerlin in early 2020, the city
will also open its doors to medical tourists from the Middle East who visit
Berlin in search of ‘Made in Berlin’ medical expertise and cutting-edge medical
services that the city is renowned for.
With a recent
YouGov survey revealing that nearly half of United Arab Emirates (UAE) and
Saudi Arabia residents are planning to make an international trip in 2021, the GNTB
is eager to increase the GCC’s share of the 89.9 million overnight stays by
foreign visitors it welcomed in 2019.
Speaking at the
press conference at Arabian Travel Market in Dubai, said Yamina Sofo, Director
Sales & Marketing, German National Tourist Office Gulf Countries (GNTO),
“With the
success of the national vaccination programmes in the GCC countries,
particularly in the UAE where more than 11.5 million doses have been
administered so far (over 70% of the UAE population have received vaccines
and 40% are fully vaccinated), we remain optimistic that the
pre-crisis level of incoming travel from the UAE to Germany can be regained by end
of 2022.
“It gives us immense
pleasure to be here, at ATM, to showcase our unique German culture to not only
GCC travellers but outbound tourists across the Middle East. We hope to
encourage demand for city and nature holidays coupled with sustainable tourism,
which draws attention to the many different ways of discovering Destination
Germany with its wide range of traditions and attractions,” Sofo added.
Germany is extremely
popular with GCC visitors, it recorded 1.6 million overnight stays from the
Gulf region in 2019 and has a goal of reaching 3.6 million overnight stays by
2030. Germany has a diverse tourism offering, which is centred around its unique culture, craftmanship,
nature and culinary experiences. German character is encapsulated in many cities,
depicting half-timbered
architecture one moment to contemporary street art the next, which complements
its rich and varied traditions and customs, which in many cases were introduced
centuries ago.
There is nothing
that speaks louder about its culture than Germany’s exceptional food and drink
that is regional yet still cosmopolitan. Sustainability is often admired by
Gulf visitors to Germany as well as the natural beauty of the countryside can
be found on the doorstep of many German cities, offering fresh air, open spaces
and spectacular views.
Commenting on
Berlin’s readiness for the return of inbound tourism, Burkhard
Kieker, CEO, visitBerlin, said: “Like no other city, Berlin is poised for yet
another new start in 2021 – off into the future – when we emerge from the
COVID-19 pandemic. Whatever the changes to our city, Berlin always retains an
irresistible fascination and a multitude of possibilities
– from big-city thrills to unwinding, from adventures to relaxation, and from
inspiring culinary adventures to traditional food and drink.
“As a vibrant
cosmopolitan city, you can explore
living history, internationally renowned museums, unique galleries, UNESCO
sites and major historical buildings. Still, there is also space for waterside
activities and beautiful countryside to discover around the city,” added Ralf
Ostendorf, Director Market Management and Market & Media Relations Manager
Asia, Australia, Middle East, visitBerlin.
ATM 2021 in-person
event continues on 18th & 19th May at DWTC. It plays
an integral role in Arabian Travel Week, which features exhibitions,
conferences, breakfast briefings, awards, product launches and networking
events. A virtual version of ATM will run a week later to complement and reach a
wider audience than ever before.
To visit Germany at ATM
2021, go to stand EU2350.
