In a bid to attract more Indian travellers to South West Germany during the winter season, the Tourist Board of Germany and The Black Forest Highland Region recently visited Mumbai to showcase the destination’s winter offerings. Michael Siebert, Consul General, Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany Mumbai revealed that the body, in association with VFS Global, will be opening visa facilitation centres in Mumbai, Pune, Goa and Ahmedabad in 2014, in a bid to ease the visa application process.
Germany has witnessed an increase in both Indian footfall and overnights in the last few years, with Indians also being recorded as one of the highest spenders in the country. According to Katharina Mariko Kress, Marketing and Sales Manager Overseas, State Tourist Board Baden –Wurttemberg, South West Germany has witnessed a 12.5 per cent increase in Indian footfall from January to June 2013, with an average stay of six nights. “We recorded 74,628 overnights between January and June this year, a number that goes up to 90,000 if you count July. The average spend per day per person by the Indian market is EUR 175,” she added.
According to Hector D’Souza, Director – India, South West German Tourism, the region has been unaffected by the Rupee depreciation as the weakening of the currency is compensated by the discounted fares of rail cards, hop on hop off tours, StuttCards etc., all of which are reasonably priced. D’Souza added that Castle Road, Lake Dwelling and Dwelling Museum, Stuttgart Wine Village and beer festival, and the Christmas Market (November end to December) will be largely promoted.
He further stated that MICE is going to be part of the region’s focus in India. According to the Tourist Board, South West Germany is well known for its convention centres, ample rooming facilities and packages. Stuttgart alone welcomed one million MICE visitors at its convention centre last year. Speaking about other attractions in South West Germany, Siebert added that culture and heritage tourism, culinary and wine tourism, and car museums are popular. “Furthermore, we want to spread awareness that Germany is not just football and Formula 1 when it comes to sports tourism. We also offer soft spots such as hiking and swimming. We also have accommodation that ranges from dormitories to luxury hotels, thus catering to a range of budgets,” he said.
