Petra Hedorfer

What has been the outcome of your meetings in Delhi?

As the German National Tourist Board (GNTB), we are dedicated to promoting collaboration, cultural exchange, and knowledge sharing between nations and cities. The trip this week seemed to both forge new partnerships and strengthen existing relationships between the Indian and German travel industries, as well as gaining unique insights into the latest developments in India’s travel sector.

We greatly appreciate the opportunity for leading Indian tourism companies to share their innovative spirit and technical expertise. The next steps are jointly exploring cooperation and business opportunities.

In our dialogue with representatives of India’s leading tourism companies, we were also able to see how much Indian tourists value Germany as a travel destination and picked up on latest consumer trends to stay ahead of the curve.

In addition, we also discussed and planned our India Digital Tech Tour which will be coming up next May and the relaunch of our GTNO India Pool, a joint marketing initiative of several German partners and the GNTO.

What are the key issues raised by tour operators in India?

Basis our record level meetings with tour operators in India, Germany is identified as one of the important travel markets in Europe for Indians. However, many potential Indian travellers are unaware of Germany’s diverse tourism offerings beyond the traditional European destinations. While the visa process has become more streamlined, it can still be perceived as complex, particularly for first-time travellers.

To address these issues and boost Indian tourism to Germany, a number of strategies are aligned with our ongoing marketing campaigns. These include leveraging social media platforms and digital advertising to reach a wider audience of potential Indian travellers.

Further simplifying the visa application process, perhaps through dedicated visa centres in India and implementation of faster processing times for Indian visa applications and offering longer-validity visas to encourage extended stays. GNTB also intends on working closely with OTAs to create personalised itineraries based on the interests of Indian travellers, such as historical sites, natural beauty and shopping.

You are targetting a 10 pc growth next year, where will this growth come from?

Our focus is to attract cities with family friendly attractions such as Berlin, Cologne, the Rhine regions and target high-end hotels, gourmet dining, and luxury shopping destinations in cities like Munich, Frankfurt and beyond. The student traveller is price-sensitive but seeks cultural experiences with affordable accommodations, and cultural activities, such as Stuttgart and Heidelberg and lastly, the MICE travellers, this segment is often on short trips and seeks efficient travel experiences. GNTO will be focusing on cultural events and strategic collaborations to upsell Germany to outbound Indian travellers.

Is destination wedding one of the new focus areas for Germany?

Yes, destination weddings are indeed a new focus area for Germany from India. The German National Tourist Office (GNTO) has recognised the growing trend of destination weddings among Indian couples and is actively promoting Germany as a unique and luxurious wedding destination in the coming year.

Germany offers a variety of stunning venues for destination weddings, including historic castles, elegant palaces, picturesque vineyards, and modern event spaces. The country’s rich cultural heritage, world class cuisine, and efficient infrastructure make it an ideal choice for couples seeking a memorable and unforgettable wedding experience. The GNTO is working closely with Indian travel agents and wedding planners to promote Germany as a destination wedding hotspot.

Are Schengen visas now routinely for longer duration, at least for repeat visitors?

Yes, there have been positive changes in the Schengen visa regime for Indian citizens, especially for repeat visitors. The European Union has adopted a more favourable visa policy for Indian nationals, which includes the possibility of obtaining longer duration, multi-entry Schengen visas.