Together with financial service provider Global Blue, the German National Tourist Board (GNTB) is organising a press tour for a Chinese television team from 10 to 18 December 2011. It focuses on Germany as an attractive shopping and cultural destination for Chinese visitors. During the tour from Frankfurt to Stuttgart, Nuremberg and Munich, a film will be shown about the impressive variety of shopping opportunities and wide-ranging cultural attractions in Germany.

Continuous growth despite the crisis: Germany is becoming an increasingly popular destination for travellers from all over the world, even at a time of economic difficulties. In September 2011 it achieved its best result since accommodation sta-tistics started to be collected after the country's reunification.

From 19 to 21 October 2011, the German National Tourist Board (GNTB) will be promoting Destination Germany for the fourth time at ITB Asia. Together with 7 partners, the GNTB will be using this international platform to build on its marketing activities in the key source market of Asia.

From 13 to 15 October 2011, the German National Tourist Board (GNTB) is hosting a workshop in Bad Schandau, Saxon Switzerland. The event gives 69 buyers and 21 journalists from central Europe the chance to find out about new products and services in the hotel industry, inbound tourism and transport from 33 German providers. It is a great opportunity for them to extend their knowledge of Destination Germany by talking to local and regional tourism organisations.

Germany continues to gain in popularity with holidaymakers from around the world in 2011. In light of the global economic situation, this is a particularly impressive achievement. The volume of international visitors staying overnight in Germany between January and August rose by 6 per cent year on year according to preliminary figures from the Federal Statistical Office. The total number of international overnight stays made in Germany came to 43.5 million, 2.3 million more than were recorded in the same periodin 2010.

800 years of St. Thomas choir in Leipzig: this was the focus of an international press tour on the theme of Germany’s musical heritage, organised by the German National Tourist Board (GNTB) from 5 to 9 October 2011. Eisenach, Leipzig and Dresden were the places visited on account of their famous sites associated with Bach, Wagner and other great German composers. The press representatives attended concerts in Leipzig featuring the city’s Gewandhaus Orchestra and St. Thomas choir, and a concert in Dresden performed by the Dresdner Kapellsolisten chamber orchestra in the Church of Our Lady.

Prestigious internationalaccolade for accomplished communication design. The GermanNational Tourist Board (GNTB) has won the 2011 reddot designaward for its e-brochure, launched in 2010 as part of its CreativeGermany theme year. The Offenbach-based agency M.A.D.Kommunikation, in partnership with the GNTB, came up with theidea for the website in 2009 and implemented it as part of themarketing campaign for the European Capital of CultureRUHR.2010.

US journalists and bloggers got a taste of Germany as a land of fine food and drink during a press tour organised by the German National Tourist Board (GNTB) from 17 to 21 September 2011. The highlight of the tour was a visit to 'Chefsache 2011', a gourmet event at Cologne Exhibition Centre featuring top international chefs.

The German National Tourist Office (GNTO) is pleased to welcome Nadine Wenn as the new Head of Press & PR, UK &
Ireland.

Nadine joins GNTO with more than ten years of experience in the international media industry, having worked in communications in the UK and as a journalist and news reporter in Germany and Canada.

The German National Tourist Office (GNTO) is pleased to welcome Nadine Wenn as the new Head of Press & PR, UK & Ireland.

Nadine joins GNTO with more than ten years of experience in the international media industry, having worked in communications in the UK and as a journalist and news reporter in Germany and Canada.

The German National Tourist Board (GNTB) showcased Destination Germany to the Israeli travel industry and key representatives of the Israeli press in an information event on 15 September 2011 in Tel Aviv. The event was hosted in partnership with Visit Berlin, Munich Airport and Lufthansa. In front of 150 guests, Petra Hedorfer, Chief Executive Officer of the GNTB, stressed the importance of tourism between the two countries.

The Pope is coming to Germany. Between 22 and 25 September 2011, Pope Benedict XVI will visit the archdioceses of Berlin, Erfurt and Freiburg – an eagerly anticipated event both in Germany and abroad. The German National Tourist Board (GNTB) has already carried out two press tours to tie in with this great occasion.

Record half-year results for 2011

Destination Germany remainson track for success, continuing where it left off after a successful year in 2010. Its rise in popularity with visitors from abroad shows no sign of abating: in the first half of 2011, the German FederalStatistical Office recorded a year-on-year increase of 8.3 per cent in the volume of international overnight stays.

GNTB sales and marketing activities

From 1 to 12 September, the German National Tourist Board (GNTB) is hosting a two-week European roadshow together with the German rail operator Deutsche Bahn (DB) and Historic Highlights of Germany (HHOG). The roadshow will travel to five countries, making seven stops to promote Germany as an attractive destination for city breaks by train. The tour starts in Kolding in Denmark, before continuing to Copenhagen and Warsaw. Further destinations are Prague and Brno in the Czech Republic, the Slovakian capital Bratislava and Budapest in Hungary.

FIFA Women's World Cup 2011

The dream of another fairytale summer in 2011 has come true. Sold-out games, delighted fans and exceptional television viewing figures show that the FIFA Women's World Cup is a resounding success. "The FIFA Women's World Cup 2011™ is exceeding even the most optimistic expectations", says Petra Hedorfer, Chief Executive Officer of the German National Tourist Board (GNTB).

Progress report on the FIFA Women's World Cup 2011

The dream of another fairytale summer in 2011 has come true. Sold-out games, delighted fans and exceptional television viewing figures show that the FIFA Women's World Cup is a resounding success. "The FIFA Women's World Cup 2011TM is exceeding even the most optimistic expectations", says Petra Hedorfer, Chief Executive Officer of the German National Tourist Board (GNTB).

International conference on tourism opportunities in the Middle and Lower Danube region

The Danube Floating Conference took place from 24 to 26 June 2011. It was organised by the Danube Competence Center to support the European Commission's Danube Strategy, which was adopted at the end of 2010. At this 'floating' event on the Danube river, the countries of the Middle and Lower Danube region discussed ways in which they could improve their joint marketing activities. As part of the two-day programme, Petra Hedorfer, Chief Executive Officer of the German National Tourist Board (GNTB) and President of the European Travel Commission, hosted a panel discussion on Regional development and how to make the Danube region more competitive as a travel destination.

FIFA Women's World Cup Germany 2011

Demand for travel to Germany boosted by global TV coverage of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2011TM. After the fairytale summer of the 2006 FIFA World Cup, images of Destination Germany will once again be beamed around the world on the occasion of a major football tournament. Around 200 TV stations from all over the world are broadcasting matches for the FIFA Women's World Cup, which is being held from 26 June to 17 July 2011 in Germany. "The tournament will give the German travel industry an added boost this year, and make a lasting improvement to our image in the medium and long term", said Petra Hedorfer, Chief Executive Officer of the German National Tourist Board (GNTB), on Friday in Frankfurt.

GNTB sales event

From 13 to 15 October 2011 the German National Tourist Board (GNTB) will be hosting a workshop in Bad Schandau in Saxon Switzerland. On the guest list are approximately 80 buyers and 30 journalists from Austria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Serbia, the Slovak Republic, Slovenia and Turkey. They will be gathering information from 30 or so local and regional tourism organisations in the hotel, inbound travel and transport sectors about new products and services for Destination Germany.

Tourism in Germany in April 2011

Tourism in Germany is booming. Strong March figures were followed by an increase of 11 per cent in April. A late Easter and plenty of sunshine boosted the urge to travel, both in Germany itself and for visitors from abroad. According to preliminary figures from the German Federal Statistical Office 31.5 million guests stayed overnight in hotels and guesthouses with nine or more beds and at campsites. Growth was particularly marked among travellers from Germany. They accounted for a total of 26.7 million overnight stays, an increase of 11 per cent. The statistics show more than 4.8 million overnight stays by foreign visitors, an increase of 9 per cent.

New member of the GNTB

On 7 June 2011, the Board of Directors of the German National Tourist Board (GNTB) held its 78th meeting in Frankfurt am Main, chaired by its President, Klaus Laepple. As part of the meeting it was unanimously agreed to accept a new member. From 1 January 2012, Stage Entertainment Marketing & Sales GmbH will become a new partner of the GNTB. Currently, the GNTB has 66 active members, including tourism companies, regional marketing organisations, associations and cooperative marketing ventures. “In times of budgetary constraints and intensifying competition in the tourism industry, public-private partnerships are becoming increasingly important”, according to Petra Hedorfer, Chief Executive Officer of the GNTB. “By cooperating with our partners we create synergies and can target consumers and key market players more directly.”

Personnel matters

During its 78th meeting on 7 June 2011 chaired by the President, Klaus Laepple, the Board of Directors of the German National Tourist Board (GNTB) agreed to a new appointment at the foreign representative office in Madrid.

Destination Germany celebrates the automobile

A belated honour for Carl Benz: exactly 125 years after he obtained his patent for a 'vehicle driven by a gas engine' in 1886 from the imperial patent office, the document has been inscribed on UNESCO's Memory of the World Register. Carl Benz built the world's first vehicle with a combustion engine and electric ignition. His patent DRP 37435 is regarded as the 'birth certificate' of the motor car.

For the German National Tourist Board (GNTB), 2012 will be all about promotable business travel involving MICE activities. The GNTB aims to drive demand in this already strong area through its themed 2012 marketing campaign. As Europe's number-one location for conventions and conferences, Germany has considerable potential in this segment, particularly in the growth markets of eastern Europe and Asia. A study by the European Institute for the Meetings Industry (EITW) put the number of conference and event venues in Germany at 6,412, and reported high levels of utilisation. The European market for business travel to Germany grew by 12 per cent in 2010 according to IPK International's European Travel Monitor. With total revenues of around €66 billion, business travel is a key economic factor for tourism in Germany, which is why it features so prominently in our marketing plans", said Petra Hedorfer, Chief Executive Officer of the GNTB."

Tremendous success for Destination Germany. Twenty years after reunification, Germany again proved to be a firm favourite with visitors from abroad, building impressively on its position as one of the most popular travel destinations in Europe. Last year for the first time, overnight stays by visitors from abroad passed the record-breaking 60 million mark", said Petra Hedorfer, Chief Executive Officer of the German National Tourist Board (GNTB). Figures released by the German Federal Statistical Office show that overnight stays in Germany by visitors from abroad totalled 60.3 million last year. Visitors from other European countries accounted for more than 76 per cent of all overnight stays by visitors from outside Germany. Overall, upward trends were recorded in both holiday and business travel."

FrankfurtamMain/Cologne,9May2011-Thecourseissetforfurther growth: in the next ten years the number of overnight stays by international visitors in Germany is predicted to rise by 20 million to hit a new record. Germany has the potential to stake out a permanent place for itself as one of the world's most popular tourist destinations", said Petra Hedorfer, Chief Executive Officer of the German National Tourist Office (GNTB). "Having set a new record of more than 60 million overnight stays by international visitors last year, we are seeing growing demand and expect to hit the 80 million mark in ten years at most.""

Destination Germany continues to go from strength to strength, having regularly outperformed the rest of Europe in terms of growth since 2004. On the popularity scale, Germany now ranks second, behind Spain and ahead of France. Italy and Austria are fourth and fifth. Figures released by the German Federal Statistical Office show that overnight stays in Germany by visitors from abroad totalled 60.3 million last year.

By training the spotlight on 'Health and wellness travel in Germany' in 2011, the German National Tourist Board (GNTB) is tapping into the health mega-trend. Increased efforts to position Germany as an important and attractive destination for wellness, health and medical tourism aim to boost its positive image in this segment and attract health-conscious travellers to the country. Studies carried out by the GNTB show that even today 15 per cent of all foreign visitors to Germany arrive with the specific intention of doing something for their health or physical fitness.

The German National Tourist Board (GNTB) is hosting the 37th GTM Germany Travel MartTM between 8 and 10 May 2011 along with Köln Tourismus GmbH and Tourismus & Congress GmbH Region Bonn/Rhein- Sieg/Ahrweiler. Other important partners of the GNTB are Deutsche Lufthansa AG and Deutsche Bahn AG.

Germany has lots to offer in 2011 thanks to a strong line-up of events and anniversaries focused on sport, technology and culture. To capitalise on this, the German National Tourist Board (GNTB) is promoting these highlights through its annual theme campaigns. From 26 June to 17 July the German women's national football team will attempt to replicate the fairytale World Cup summer of 2006. This first ever women's World Cup in Germany is set to be both a major sporting occasion and a boon for tourism. The men's World Cup in 2006 proved to great effect how an event of this kind can improve the international perception of Germany over a number of years", says Petra Hedorfer, Chief Executive Officer of the GNTB. The women's World Cup now gives us the opportunity to build on Germany's image as a cosmopolitan and family-friendly destination with an outstanding infrastructure - and this is an opportunity that we will exploit to the full.""

For the German National Tourist Board (GNTB), 2012 will be all about promotable business travel involving MICE activities. The GNTB aims to drive demand in this already strong area through its themed 2012 marketing campaign. As Europe's number 1 location for conventions and conferences Germany has considerable potential in this segment, particularly in the growth markets of Eastern Europe and Asia.

Under the banner of 'Wine, culture and nature in Germany', the GNTB is joining forces with the German Wine Institute (DWI) to promote Germany's 13 vineyard regions as travel destinations. According to the 2009/2010 Quality Monitor survey, 52 per cent of international visitors to Germany said they simply wanted to savour the good things in life - one good reason to market Germany as a land of wine to a broader audience.

Tremendous success for Destination Germany. Twenty years after reunification, Germany again proved to be a firm favourite with visitors from abroad, building impressively on its position as one of the most popular travel destinations in Europe. Rainer Brüderle, Federal Minister for Economics and Technology, declared: Last year for the first time, overnight stays by visitors from abroad passed the record-breaking 60 million mark."

Germany is a great place to visit for so many reasons. The German National Tourist Board (GNTB) promotes the diversity of Germany as a travel destination throughout the world with annual themes plus complementary key themes aimed at consumers, travel industry professionals and the press.

Germans are happiest when travelling within their own country. In 2010 the number of overnight stays by domestic travellers in hotels and guesthouses with more than nine beds and on campsites increased by 2 per cent year on year. In total, the German Federal Statistical Office registered more than 320 million overnight stays in Germany by domestic visitors - a record number.

By training the spotlight on 'Health and wellness travel in Germany' in 2011, the German National Tourist Board (GNTB) is tapping into the health mega-trend. Increased efforts to position Germany as an important and attractive destination for wellness, health and medical tourism aim to boost its positive image in this segment and attract health-conscious travellers to the country.

The course is set for further growth: in the next ten years the number of overnight stays by international visitors in Germany is predicted to rise by 20 million to hit a new record. Speaking in Berlin on Wednesday, Petra Hedorfer, Chief Executive Officer of the German National Tourist Board (GNTB), said: Germany has the potential to stake out a permanent place for itself as one of the world's most popular tourist destinations."

Germany has lots to offer thanks to a strong line-up of events and anniversaries focused on sport, technology and culture. To capitalise on this, the Cup German National Tourist Board (GNTB) is promoting these highlights through its annual theme campaigns.

Global financial and economic crisis
German National Tourist Board (GNTB) modifies its marketing strategy with a global price offensive for Destination Germany"
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The weeks are counting down to the 36th Germany Travel Mart™ (GTM), the largest annual event for Germany's inbound tourism industry. The German National Tourist Board (GNTB) expects more than 500 international buyers and over 350 service providers from the inbound tourism, transport and hotel sectors.

GNTB and the EUROPÄISCHE travel insurance company monitor quality of German travel industry
Overall score of 1.8 in first six-month survey of German travel industry - Over 7,400 interviews between May and October 2007 - Friendliness and efficiency of staff score particularly highly

Looking ahead to 2009
Event highlights 2009

35th Germany Travel Mart™ (GTM) from 10 to 12 May 2009
Around 1,400 travel industry representatives expected at the 35th GTM - Biggest marketplace for tourism in Germany - Two-day workshop a central element of the event - Supporting programme in Rostock and surrounding region - Special activities for media representatives from all over the world

An overview of the many different ways in which Germans celebrate the fifth season of the year