The latest statistics from the German National Tourist Office show an impressive increase of 18.7% for the month of July in 2014 (compared with July 2013) in overnight stays from the Republic of Ireland. The GNTO also announced that its campaign for 2015 will encompass three particular themes: ‘culinary Germany’, ‘living traditions’ and ‘art and crafts’ from different German regions.
The ‘tradition and history of the region’ is among the top 10 reasons given by foreign visitors to Germany when choosing their holiday.
Further GNTO campaigns next year will include sustainable tourism plus over 150 ‘Scenic Routes’ with themes ranging from food to football, a motorbike route or wine to volcanoes, to name just a few.
Germany will be celebrating 25 years of German Reunification in 2015, making it the perfect time to re-discover Germany or explore it for the first time – and statistics show that 70% of all first-time visitors return.
Arts and culture will be highlighted through the 500th anniversary of the birth of Lucas Cranach the Younger and a spiritual travel campaign in 2015 will culminate in the 500th anniversary in 2017, of when religious reformer Martin Luther nailed his 95 thesis to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg.
Germany’s Royal Heritage Route and accessible travel multi-media campaign, ‘Discover Germany BarrierFree’, also remain priorities for 2015 and beyond.
Klaus Lohmann, Director, GNTO UK & Ireland, said: “Next year provides the perfect opportunity for anyone to discover Germany. As a holiday destination, it offers huge choice – from the coastal regions in the north, lakes and mountains in the south, and the beautiful towns, cities and natural landscapes in between. In a year that reflects on so much history, it is time to discover something new and our campaigns for 2015 provide a perfect starting point to do that.”
