At a press conference held in Delhi, the German National Tourist Office unveiled important figures about the preferences of Indian travellers, giving key insights into the tourism board's goals for the future and the progress so far. In 2023, Germany witnessed a 32.6 per cent year-on-year growth in overnight stays by Indian visitors, with 826,703 stays recorded, bringing them back to pre-pandemic numbers. 

Romit Theophilus, the Director of Marketing & Sales Office India for the German National Tourist Office (GNTO), expressed delight in seeing more Indian tourists choosing Germany as their destination and said that Germany is eager to welcome more visitors and showcase the best of its offerings. The GNTO said that Germany had witnessed a significant increase in Indian tourists, reflecting the rising interest among Indian travellers to explore Germany's rich culture, scenic landscapes, historic landmarks, and culinary experiences. Motivated by this significant improvement in numbers, Germany aims to attract 1 million overnight stays by Indian tourists in 2024.

Other key aspects touched upon during the press conference were the upcoming regions that appealed to Indian travellers, namely South West Germany, North Rhine Westphalia, Hessen and Bavaria. In addition, the speakers also noted that the three upcoming cultural events in Germany are poised to accelerate Germany's position as an attractive destination this year—these include the Euro 2024 UEFA Soccer Championship, the 35th anniversary of the Berlin Wall's fall, and the declaration of Chemnitz as the European Capital of Culture 2025. 

Theophilus also noted that the destination is committed to championing its rich history and culture by promoting its 52 UNESCO World Heritage Sites spread across several lesser-known destinations. This campaign is in sync with GNTO's concerted efforts to promote slow and sustainable tourism and encourage Indian travellers to "Stay A Little Bit Longer."  

(With inputs from PTI)