Germany steers away from stereotypes

Germany steers away from stereotypes
By admin


Germany will focus on promoting its 38 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2014 as it seeks to showcase its often overlooked attractions to the Australian market.

Speaking at an event in Sydney last night, German consul Hans-Dieter Steinbach told media that the destination still struggles with its stereotypical image and that it is attempting to show its true face to the Australian market.

“Many people think Germany is Oktoberfest lederhosen brat I can tell you that Germany is much more than this,” he said.

He highlighted Germany’s technological prowess and also expressed hopes next year’s promotion of its heritage sites will enable it to showcase its natural, historic and cultural attractions.

Earlier this month, Bergpark Wilhelmshohe, Europe’s largest hillside park, was named as the 38th UNESCO world heritage site in the country.

The German National Tourism Board is hopeful the marketing push will ensure continued growth in Australian visitor numbers to the destination.

It last week reported a rise of 10.6% in room nights booked by Australian travellers in April as compared with the same month last year.

Overall tourist arrivals to the destination climbed 3.9% year on year between January and April.

“If this trend from the main source markets continues, Destination Germany is on track to see a 2-3% increase for the whole year,” GNTB chief executive Petra Hedorfer said.

“We must however keep in mind that the floods that occurred throughout certain regions of Germany in June may have an effect on overall travel figures.”  

The economic impact of the floods which struck areas of northern Germany last month, has been estimated at as much as 12 billion euro.

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