The German National Tourist Office (GNTO) India, in collaboration with Visit Berlin, hosted an exclusive press event at AER, one of Mumbai's trendiest venues, to promote Germany as a top travel destination. The evening highlighted Berlin's vibrant cultural attractions and featured a delightful selection of traditional German cuisine.
Prominent media personalities, influencers, and content creators from Mumbai and beyond attended the event. Key representatives from Visit Berlin, including CEO Burkhard Kieker and Director of Market & Media Relations Ralf Ostendorf, presented encouraging statistics, revealing a 25% increase in Indian visitors, with 59,800 overnight stays recorded by July 2024.
The evening also showcased Berlin's upcoming festivals, including the Festival of Lights 2024 from October 4 to 13, celebrating its 20th anniversary with the theme "Celebrating Freedom." Additionally, Berlin will commemorate the 35th anniversary of the fall of the Wall with official ceremonies on November 9, 2024.
In 2023, Indian travelers took 15.25 million outbound trips, with 2.8 million heading to Europe—311,000 visiting Germany, making it the third most popular European destination. Indian tourists often prefer tour holidays and city breaks, but Germany’s picturesque landscapes also attract honeymooners, inspired by Bollywood romance.
Data shows a strong recovery, with 440,577 overnight stays from January to June 2024, a notable improvement from a 6.9% decline in June 2023. This trend indicates a growing interest among Indian tourists in visiting Germany, and we expect this growth to continue.
The successful event sets the stage for GNTO India's upcoming four-city roadshow in November, where Visit Berlin will partner with other German organizations to engage with travel agents across India.
About GNTO India
The German National Tourist Office (GNTO) India, represented by Airplus Travel Services Pvt Ltd, serves as the official office of the German National Tourist Board. Founded in 2011 and based in New Delhi, GNTO India focuses on enhancing the positive image of Destination Germany through strategic initiatives and outreach efforts.