The German National Tourist Board has announced an increase in overnight stays of 7.9% by visitors from UK for January 2018, compared to the same period in 2017. With the number of overnight stays registered at 326,836, the UK moves into second position worldwide of the most important source markets for Germany, ahead of the USA, Switzerland, Italy and France. Ireland also performed extremely strongly for January, with a total number of overnights of 37,742 representing a 14.1% increase in overnight stays compared to January last year.
These latest statistics appear to bear out the travel trend predictions for Germany in 2018 made by organisations such as ABTA and Travelzoo. ABTA stated: “Germany has shot up the list of UK holidaymakers’ favourite overseas destinations…” (ABTA “Ones to Watch List”), while Travelzoo’s UK Member Trends Survey for 2018 charted Germany at no 7 on the Members’ Top 10 Destinations List for Europe. Germany’s growth as a travel destination has continued to exceed the global average since 2010.
One of the biggest current tourism trends in Germany is food tourism; Germany has more than 300 restaurants with one or more Michelin stars and eating out contributes €6.7billion per year towards the German economy. Yet eating out also offers excellent value for money and affordable menus in the smaller, regional, family run restaurants to be found all over the country. Beatrix Haun, director of the GNTO UK and Ireland commented: “almost nothing else says more about a country and its people than the national cuisine and associated traditions. German food is diverse, cosmopolitan and offers something for all tastes. Plus, Germany’s restaurant scene and buzzy food markets are going through an exciting period of innovative ideas and new twists on traditional favourites”.
With its excellent transport and infrastructure facilities, Germany is fulfilling the travel trade forecasts and trending as a travel destination; for inspiration and ideas for places to go and things to see in Germany – and the regional foodie highlights with superb local wine and beer – go to www.germany.travel.
