DUBAI, 9 May 2006 - Saudi Arabia's qualification for the FIFA World Cup will have a big impact on GCC travelers to Germany, said Heike Murad, GCC Manager States, The German National Tourist Board, adding that the Arabian Travel Market is thus an ideal event for us to kick-start the regional campaign.
However, it's important to note that the FIFA soccer fever is just part of a diverse German presence at the ATM 2006, she said here. "The German National Tourist Board is getting strong response at Arabian Travel Market," she added.
"This is the 13th participation of the German National Tourist Board in the ATM 2006 and we are proud to join hands with Hessen and our other German partners to enhance the positive image of Germany as a travel destination," She said, adding that one should, "experience the enchanting cities of Hessen and witness the service and friendliness campaign of Germany along with the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2006."
The German stall was bigger than ever before in its participation at this year's 2006 ATM and included the support of 30 other German partners - the biggest record of joining partners at the ATM. Other partners included famous tourist cities and health care centers as well as famous spas within Germany.
She further stated that the entire tourism service chain - from airports and the German railway to the hotel sector - has already become partners of the service and friendliness campaign. Germany is a hospitable country with a high level of service commitment. It will already be possible to experience the World Cup motto in Germany even before the 2006 FIFA World Cup begins.
In the run-up stage, the National Service and Friendliness Campaign for the 2006 FIFA World Cup will highlight the anticipation and excitement with which the host country Germany is awaiting its World Cup guests.
The service and friendliness campaign presents Germany as a destination with so much to offer as a way of enjoyment and things of beauty - and that does not just mean "haute cuisine" and the "luxury hotel sector".
"I do not think there is any better opportunity to convince the whole world of this than when a major event like the 2006 FIFA World Cup is held in our country," she said.
Dr. Alois Rhiel, Hessen's minister of economics, transport, urban and regional development, said: "The region of Hessen is proud to join hands with the well established German National Tourism Board during the ATM. Germany as a travel destination is a unique mixture of breathtaking landscapes, state of the art technology and quality shopping. Parts of Germany are already known in the Gulf region; however we would like to promote various other delightful cities and towns of Germany such as the charming region of Hessen."