ATM 2024: German National Tourist Board reveals overnight stays by GCC travellers up 15%

Germany recorded almost 1.3m overnight stays by GCC visitors in 2023

The German National Tourist Board (GNTB) announced on the first day of Arabian Travel Market 2024, that GCC travellers spent 1,297,256 room nights in Germany during 2023.

This figure is a 15% increase over the 1,128,341 overnight stays recorded in 2022. 

Yamina Sofo, director at the German National Tourist GCC Office (GNTO GCC), an affiliate of the German National Tourist Board (GNTB), said: “During 2023 we witnessed a considerable increase of 168,915 overnight stays, compared with the previous year.

“The increase in overnight stays in 2023 underscores Germany's enduring appeal among GCC travellers, which is a testament to the continuous efforts of GNTO in its ongoing marketing campaigns across both B2B and B2C channels. 

"We are delighted to witness our destination maintaining its position as a top choice for travellers from this region.

"Germany's rich culture, rural customs, natural beauty, sustainability efforts, accessibility, and inclusiveness all play significant roles in its popularity. 

"Additionally, our warm German hospitality, traditional cuisine, and exclusive retail opportunities further enhance the visitor experience,” she added.

“Being the largest travel and tourism event in the region, participating in ATM is an integral part of our marketing strategy and we are confident of a significant increase in overnight stays, which would exceed our pre pandemic figure of 1,604,753 overnight stays.”

The GCC region is currently ranked in the top three incoming markets, behind the US and China.

In 2022, the GCC region was Germany’s top performing inbound source market in Asia and Australasia, with more than 404,000 arrivals, representing an increase of over 117%, compared with the same period in 2021.

GCC guests also generated 2.1 billion euros in 2022, a 110% increase over the previous year, averaging 4,443 euros per trip/per guest.   

“These figures underscore Germany’s increasing post pandemic popularity with GCC visitors and bodes well for 2024. 

"This year we want to capitalise on Euro 2024, to encourage longer stays and showcase Germany as an all-year-round holiday destination."

Increased flight availability will support those ambitions, with more than 207 direct weekly flights between the GCC and Germany, compared with 201 in 2022. 

It includes direct flight accessibility from the GCC to five German international airports including Munich, Berlin and Hamburg. 

The tourist board said new flights are being added this year, with services from Doha to Hamburg by Qatar Airways and from Manama to Munich by Gulf Air both opening on July 1, as well as new Eurowings routes launching in November from Jeddah to Cologne and Berlin. 

Flynas will also be offering flights from Jeddah to Berlin starting from September 4. 

In addition to connectivity, the GNTB also has a marketing strategy that it believes will achieve those numbers, both in the short term and the longer term. Under the slogan, ‘Germany, simply inspiring’.  

Clearly the standout sporting event of the year in Europe will be the 

Euro 2024 between June 14-July 14 will be a big driver of tourism. 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."