Germany eyes 8 lakh Indian travellers by 2030

The German National Tourist Office, India (GNTO), today flagged off its annual four-city roadshow here with an expectation of eight lakh travellers from India by 2030.

Germany hosted 2.3 lakh visitors from India in 2015 and already over 2.6 lakh travellers from India have visited the country till October this year, GNTO data showed.

"We are one of the affordable European countries and have positioned Germany as a mass destination for Indian travellers. We are expecting over 2.8 lakh Indians to visit Germany in 2016. And considering the steady growth that we are witnessing, we have set a target of 8 lakh travellers by 2030," GNTO, India, Director Sales and Marketing Romit Theophilus told PTI here.

Germany, he said, is a "magnificent" destination with a plethora of scenic and natural landscapes and is positioned as a leisure hotspot targeting first-time travellers (FITs), and groups.

"We are looking at a wide range of travellers, from budget to affluent travellers mainly falling in the age group between 18-60 years. Germany, as a destination, is suited to all kinds of pockets having something for everyone," he added.

The European country also has museums dedicated to the country's leading car brands, including BMW, Audis, Mercedes-Benz and Porsche, he added.

With 50 direct flights connecting India and Germany every week, the interest of Indian travellers is growing for the European country, Theophilus said.

India is among the top 20 source markets for Germany and is expected to be among top 10 in the next five years.

"Indian travellers are among the top 20 source markets for Germany and travellers from the sub-continent are among the top 4 spenders globally spending close to 2,600 euros per person per trip. With Germany overtaking Switzerland and France as the most preferred destination for Indians for last 5 years, we expect Indian to be among the top 10 source markets in the next 5 years," he said.

The roadshow is scheduled in Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata and New Delhi. "We are looking to gradually penetrate deep into India to promote Germany as an attractive and affordable European destination and for this purpose, we conduct road shows every year in a mix of tier I,II and III cities," Theophilus said.