GCC travellers recorded 128,745 overnight stays in Germany during the first two months of 2024, with new direct services from the region's cities, and upcoming events like the Euro 2024 football, set to boost travel figures. 

The robust growth trajectory established Germany's appeal as a preferred destination for GCC tourists, said the German National Tourist Office (GNTO), which took part in the Travel Market (ATM) held recently in Dubai.

Yamina Sofo, Director at the GNTO GCC Office, said: "The ATM has become a pivotal fixture on our calendar, serving as one of the most vital platforms where industry decision-makers and travel experts converge.

“This year, our participation in ATM 2024 focused on showcasing Germany as a travel destination and highlighting our commitment to sustainable and responsible tourism.

“We're pleased with the positive engagement and feedback from our partners and the public, which reaffirms the GCC's growing interest in sustainable travel options.”

The GNTO is enthusiastic about the future prospects of attracting more GCC travellers to Germany, particularly with the added appeal of upcoming events like the Euro 2024 football tournament.

The anticipated increase in flight connectivity, including new direct services from GCC cities to various German destinations, is expected to boost travel figures further.

The UEFA Euro 2024 football tournament, taking place in Germany between June 14th and July 14th, is anticipated to be Europe's premier sporting event of the year.

Sofo added: "The GNTB's strategy is to promote the ten host cities (Berlin, Cologne, Dortmund, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Gelsenkirchen, Hamburg, Leipzig, Munich and Stuttgart) and surrounding areas to encourage tourists to stay longer and explore other regions throughout Germany. This also has the added benefit of reducing the overall carbon footprint per travel day,"

GNTO said as it continues to champion sustainable travel, it looks forward to offering GCC travellers a diverse range of experiences that combine Germany's historical and cultural richness with its commitment to environmental stewardship.

Germany has 20 sustainably certified regions and cities, over 1,540 sustainably certified establishments, and 350 spas and health resorts. – TradeArabia News Service