The German National Tourist Office in London announced its editorial and marketing themes for 2014 last week, including the launch of two new websites that are exclusive to the UK and Ireland. 
‘Discover Germany BarrierFree’ is a new website and awareness campaign for accessible travel. Not barriers as in borders of physical travel or getting through airport controls, but barriers to easy and comfortable travel; barriers to enjoyment or opportunities to really discover what Germany has to offer. This website provides a one-stop resource to booking holidays, researching travel options by road, rail, sea and air, events, ideas and inspiration (www.germany.travel/barrierfree).
Also, to mark the 300th anniversary in 2014 of the Hanoverian accession to the British throne, the GNTO has launched a new ‘Royal Heritage Route’ enabling visitors to trace the steps of the British royal family connections in Germany through history, from George 1st to Victoria and Albert (www.germany.travel/royalheritage).
Focused marketing themes for 2014 also include:
- UNESCO as a major cultural focus highlighting Germany’s 38 World Heritage Sites
- Celebrations to mark the 25th anniversary of the Fall of the Wall and the ‘Peaceful Revolution’ that started in Leipzig in 1989
- 600 years of the Council of Constance
Klaus Lohmann, Director GNTO UK and Ireland, said: “We are delighted that Germany is currently enjoying so much interest from visitors from the UK and Ireland and, with the initiatives for 2014 announced today, we are looking forward to this continuing rise in visitors numbers throughout next year and beyond.
“We are very proud of the historical and royal connections between our countries. Modern Germany’s own history, since the fall of the wall and reunification, is a little more recent – nevertheless we want to emphasise that whatever your interest, historical, cultural, sporting or otherwise, Germany has something to offer you!”
