Europe, Germany, Rhineland-Palatinate, Bernkastel-Kues - View over Bernkastel-Kues and surrounding vineyards along the Moselle river and german vine road (weinstrasse)
Dubai, 21 June 2018
As part of its strategy to drive incoming tourism from the Gulf Countries and its continued commitment to the region, the German National Tourist Office (GNTO), an affiliate of the German National Tourist Board (GNTB) is raising awareness for the Top Tourism Highlights in Germany, in order to inspire Gulf travellers to visit the European destination ahead of the busy summer season.
Every year, the German National Tourist Board conducts an international survey asking, visitors to name their favorite places in Germany. More than 32.000 travellers of more than 60 nations voted in 2017 and came up with a compilation of a list of the country’s Top 100 sights.
The Top 10 German tourism highlights were:
Miniatur Wunderland Hamburg – the world’s biggest model railway exhibition
Europa-Park, Rust
Neuschwanstein Castle
Lake Constance with Mainau Island
Old Town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Old quarter of Dresden, with Zwinger palace, Semper Opera and Cathedral
Heidelberg Castle and old quarter of the city
Phantasialand
Hellabrunn Zoo Munich
The picturesque Moselle Valley
Further popular tourism attractions are listed on the GNTB’s website www.germany.travel and the Top 100 sights can also be downloaded as an app to help visitors discover all the treasures Germany has to offer.
Highlighting the potential of German leisure tourism, Sigrid de Mazieres, Director of the German National Tourist Office for the Gulf countries, said: “Since January 2018, we are experiencing growing demand from the Gulf region, and overnight stays from Gulf nationals in Germany increased in comparison to the same period last year.
She continued: Those contemplating to travel to Europe for their summer vacation, can be assured that “Destination Germany” ticks all the boxes. No matter, if nature and recreation is high on the agenda, or shopping in one of our vibrant cities like Hamburg, Cologne or Berlin, travellers will be amazed by the country’s vast touristic diversity, while being offered great value for money.”
The GCC is one of the top 20 source markets for Germany and the third largest non-European source market, after China and USA. In 2016, Germany ranked top among GCC travellers, even ahead of UK, Turkey and France.
In 2017, international visitor numbers reached record heights, further exemplifying Germany’s attractiveness as a destination of choice for tourists worldwide. According to the Federal Statistical Office, there were 83.9 million international overnight stays recorded in accommodation establishments with at least ten beds. For the eight consecutive year, the number of visitors to Germany in 2017 reached record levels, showing a 3.6 % increase overall to 2016.
