German Tourism Board Targets India: New Initiatives Unveiled

The German National Tourist Board is enhancing efforts to attract the Indian travel market with new strategies and collaborations. Initiatives include market-specific activities, the India Digital Travel Knowledge Tour, and targeted campaigns, aiming to bridge Indian demand with German tourism offerings and boost economic ties.

The German National Tourist Board (GNTB) is stepping up its efforts to tap into the booming Indian outbound travel market. This week in New Delhi, GNTB CEO Petra Hedorfer unveiled plans to strengthen connections with Indian travelers and the tourism industry through new market-specific initiatives.

"We've been engaging with the Indian market for two decades," said Hedorfer. Since 2015, the agency's India pool has significantly aided German partners in the region, boosting Indian visitor overnight stays in Germany by nearly 40% from 2015 to 2019. The revamped strategy includes organizing a delegation trip next spring with top German travel executives as part of the 'GNTB India Digital Travel Knowledge Tour'.

Indian travel to Germany is surging, especially post-pandemic, reaching 826,000 overnight stays in 2023—a 33% increase from the previous year. By 2030, Indian tourists are expected to generate 1.6 million overnight stays annually. The GNTB's initiatives include hosting an 'India Digital Travel Knowledge Tour' in 2025 and 'Live like a local' campaign, inviting Indian influencers to share authentic German experiences with their followers.

(With inputs from agencies.)