“With the 21st Irish Travel Trade Awards approaching on the 30th November and the release of the latest highly positive statistics from the German National Tourist Board in Frankfurt for June and July, it seems the Irish tourist industry has much to celebrate,” said Klaus Lohmann, Director UK & Ireland of the German National Tourist Office, on a recent visit to Dublin.
He was speaking at a reception at the official residence of the Germany Ambassador to Ireland, Dr Eckhard Lübkemeier, to welcome the Gewandhaus Orchestra of Leipzig to Dublin.
Overnight stays by Irish visitors to Germany increased by 4.8% for July (compared to 2011) and by 34.5% for June. “New flight routes to Germany, for example by Lufthansa from Knock Airport with direct flights to and from Düsseldorf every Saturday between May and September, will definitely have had an impact,” said Klaus. “Plus, we know from Irish tour operators that the German Beer Garden summer season is a real favourite for Irish visitors to Germany!”
The GNTO has already received enquiries on educational trips from Irish tour operators for 2013 and, for the remainder of 2012, Germany’s Christmas Markets are already proving popular (www.germany.travel).
