Staff Report
Dubai, UAE
The number of international travellers from the GCC to Germany more than doubled to 404,000 in 2022, who collectively generated 1.1 million overnight stays that contributed to €2.1 billion revenue, according to German National Tourism Board (GNTB).
GCC travellers are high-spending tourists spending €4,443 per trip per person, compared to the average spend of €2,807 per trip per person. GCC travellers spent €405 per night – which is quite high and helps the economy of the host country a lot.
Tourism sector has seen a strong growth last year following a two-year decline due to the COVID-19 pandemic that halted tourism worldwide. Most countries saw the return of tourists in the second half of 2021, while 2022 was the first full year of tourism post pandemic world.
The most popular German federal states for GCC travellers in 2022 were Bavaria with 43.5 percent overnight stays, followed by Hesse with 15.6 percent and the third place was held by North Rhine Westfalia with 12.6 percent.
“These figures confirm that Germany continues to be a preferred tourism destination for GCC visitors and unspoilt nature and careful use of resources are clearly becoming increasingly important to them. We also want to encourage longer stays in order to reduce the carbon footprint per travel day,” Yamina Sofo, Director GCC at German National Tourist Office (GNTO), said at a press briefing at the Arabian Travel Market – the largest travel and tourism exhibition and conferences in the Middle East and North Africa region that takes place at the Dubai World Trade Centre from May 1-4, 2023.
“Germany isn’t just a business hub but it’s more of a modern as well as historic destination with 51 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Moreover, it consists of certified green cities like Winterberg, Schmika, Juist, Wernigerode, Baiersbronn, Celle, Naturpark Schlei.”
There is a debate going on in the world that how to boost sustainable tourism while reducing the carbon footprint in this scenario Germany is already executing it since decades.
‘‘Growing in Germany I have seen sustainability is a decade old subject not something new, we are used to recycle plastic and other trash separately. Germany as a travel destination has the ideal ingredients for exceptional and sustainable holiday experiences that also help to protect our climate and the environment,” Yamina Sofo said.
Nature is the place where people from the stressed life can go and release their depression whereas lush green forest is not less than a blessing for human kind. There is an amazing experience of exploring forests with certified forest guides which brings the travellers confidence to explore while enjoy the beautiful, therapeutic and calm ambiance.
