During the period of January to November 2021, Germany welcomed 462,550 overnights from GCC nationals, a 70 per cent improvement over the same period compared to 2020.
Yamina Sofo, Director of Sales & Marketing, GCC, German National Tourist Office, explains what this number means in a recent interview. “We operate a little bit differently to other tourism boards in that we only calculate GCC nationals – so any expatriate or resident travelling to Germany from the region will not reflect in our numbers.”
Also, the borders only reopened on June 25, so we only had about half a year to achieve these numbers, explains Sofo. “Luckily, we had the summer and the summer was strong.
“We had to deploy limitations over the first couple of months opening the border because Germany did not - and still doesn't – accept the Sinopharm vaccine and at that time Austria, Switzerland, Spain, Greece, all of these European nations accepted it. So, of course, we lost our share there.”
The GCC was still the leading market for Munich in terms of overnight statistics in the month of August. As the latest 2021 figures stand, the GCC turns out to be the second strongest overseas market for incoming visits into Germany, just behind the US.
“We hope 2022 will be much better but even by end of 2022, we will still not be back to the figures from 2019. It will take another year into 2023 to see those numbers again. Germany has a good reputation in the market and we remain hopeful.”
ENTRY RESTRICTIONS
Although the number of infections is high, it is currently no longer increasing. The federal and state governments therefore agreed on February 16, 2022 to withdraw the Covid-19 related restrictions in controlled steps.
In Germany, the 2G rule applies for the vaccinated or recovered people. More restrictive versions are the 2G+ and the 2G++ rules, whereas 3G is less restriction, optionally allowing a rapid test instead. 2G+ means vaccinated or recovered, plus current test; 2G++ means vaccinated or recovered, plus current test at an official test site, as well as an FFP2 mask.
From now on contact restrictions for vaccinated and recovered as well as access restrictions in retail are no longer applicable. (The mask requirement in retail remains in place.)
Relief in gastronomy and overnight stays is planned from March 4. 3G will then apply in gastronomy and accommodation offers. Discotheques open under 2G+ conditions. Major events will also be possible under 2G or 2G+ conditions.
From March 20, all far-reaching protective measures will no longer apply, but basic protection will remain: wearing masks indoors and on local public transport.
The easiest way to travel to Germany is when you’ve had your booster shot with one of the approved vaccines, Sofo says. “They ask you to show your vaccination or booster pass now. So you just upload it on an app and it's really easy then. Most of the attractions and museums, everything is running after reopening".
KEY B2B ENGAGEMENTS
While the other markets perhaps not as active as the GCC, German partners see the strength of the GCC market and the importance of the GCC traveller. “We already have 20 confirmed partners for the Discover Europe Travel Summit taking place on May 7 and 8 at the new Taj Exotica Resort & Spa on Palm Jumeirah.
Switzerland, Austria, Germany and Ireland will come together for the pre-ATM Discover Europe Travel Summit. “Our target is to invite around 105 buyers from the GCC region, who are then going to meet around 80 partners from the four countries in pre-arranged one-to-one meetings. We will have dinner and network events.
“We will also have a Germany stand at ATM this year and our partners from Munich/Bavaria will have their own stand as well. So, Germany will have two stands at ATM this year!
“Then at the end of October, we're planning a GCC roadshow. Depending on travel regulations at the time, we will decide which countries we can visit but we're really eager to do a roadshow this year.”
Key travel trends coming from the region going into Germany are sustainability, nature, wellness, combined with a little bit of shopping and medical check-ups, Sofo tells us.
Barrier-free tourism
The German National Tourist Board (GNTB) celebrated a decade of barrier-free tourism with its annual Accessible Tourism Day scheduled for March 11. The event highlights strategies the board has taken to help support the international travel industry meet increasing demand for travel options for all.
“It is important for us to create diverse and accessible environments across Germany,” said Yamina Sofo, Director of Sales & Marketing, GCC. “We always aim to create high-quality, sustainable tourism options for travellers to benefit from our inclusivity. Our diverse offerings are already creating an effective impact on responsible tourism, and further strengthens our position in the international market.
Accessible Tourism Day is an excellent platform to understand how others can expand options by hearing from experts in the German tourism industry."