The road show in Riyadh featured a range of tourism products and services amid growing optimism created by the visit of about half a million Saudi tourists to Germany last year.
“The German National Tourist Board (GNTB) is expecting overall growth in overnight stays in 2010-11,” said Horst Lommatzsch, GNTB director for Asian and Mideast countries, while giving an interactive presentation about German tourism.
The road show was attended by Michael Morgenstern, counselor at the Germany Embassy; Stefan Loecherbach, Lufthansa director for Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Yemen; and Antje Roeding, GNTB director for marketing & sales for Gulf countries.
Speaking on this occasion, Lommatzsch said the road shows were organized to “sustain and boost the growing interest among Saudi tourists while generating more awareness about German destinations.”
Over the past 18 months, Germany as a travel destination has fared very well in the global market and has gained more market share, said the GNTB official, adding that Germany now lies level with any country in terms of popularity as a travel destination for Saudis.
“Moreover, the road shows are facilitating networking with industry decision makers in Saudi Arabia,” said Morgenstern, adding that several tourism companies from Germany are participating in the shows around the Gulf.
“Germany also offers guides and provides diverse services, including Arabic cuisine, Arabic newspapers and typical Arab hospitality for Arabic-speaking tourists,” said Roeding, adding that the Germany Embassy takes 10 to 12 days to issue the Schengen visa for Saudi nationals.
Referring to the tourist attractions in Germany, Roeding pointed out that German towns and cities offer much more than just sightseeing for a Saudi tourist. Dusseldorf, where numerous fashion designers are based, is a must of fashion lovers.
