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Archana Sharma – New Delhi
The German National Tourist Office (GNTO) recently conducted the Germany India Pool roadshow at the Taj Mahal Hotel, New Delhi, as part of a seven city roadshow. According to Romit Theophilus, director, marketing and sales, GNTO, India, “Despite the Euro being 40 per cent higher in the first half, we saw a 5.4 per cent growth in the tourism sector with over six lakh overnights from India in 2013. Even for the first half of this year, Germany has witnessed over two lakh visitors overnight from India.” Planning to launch more online and radio campaigns, he further stated, “We are hoping to see at least 10-12 per cent growth from the tourism sector as people have started looking at Germany as a solo destination rather than part of the whole Europe based experience.”
“Germany has a lot of attractive locations and now people are learning more about it than just the common place Frankfurt and Berlin as known to tourists earlier,” stated Anika Tandon, assistant manager, trade relations, GNTO India. “Europe’s largest theme park, Europa-Park, located in Rust, the south western Germany, is also the second most popular amusement park after Disneyland. Also the Black Forest region famous for cakes and bakery items is in Germany. This region is also known worldwide as the manufacturer of Cuckoo clocks,” she added.
“Munich is known for the Oktoberfest and for the beer gardens but not many people know that Stuttgart also has some of the best and most fabulous wine regions. Beginning a week later than the Oktoberfest, the Canstatter Volksfest is an annual three week fest, an autumnal fair, though sometimes referred to as a beer festival by foreigners. Home to the Mercedes-Benz Museum and the Porche Museum, Stuttgart, recently hosted the 11th Indian Film Festival,” stated Hans-Jorg Hadbawnik, regional director, Russia and India, Stuttgart Marketing.
