The German National Tourist Board (GNTB) has invited travel industry representatives to Munich and Augsburg from 27 to 29 April 2008 for the 34th Germany Travel Mart (GTM), the biggest showcase for inbound travel to Germany. To stage the event, the GNTB has enlisted the help of Bayern Tourismus Marketing GmbH, which has teamed up with its own partners in Bavaria, such as the Munich Tourist Board and RegioAugsburg Tourismus GmbH. 672 travel industry representatives from 42 countries attended the fair. Among their number aremore than 100 journalists. Over 1,000 delegates are expected in total – the highest number on record for the GTM.
"Germany's inbound travel industry is booming. To ensure it stays that way, we need to strengthen our position as a travel destination in the face of growing competition from abroad. The GTM is the ideal place to close business deals that help achieven this goal", explained Ernst Hinsken, Federal Government Commissioner for Tourism in the run-up to the event.
Petra Hedorfer, Chief Executive Officer of the GNTB, also gave an encouraging report before this year's GTM: "Every year, the GNTB exhibits at around 100 trade fairs, of which the GTM is one of the most important. The response to our international activities is improving all the time. This reflects Germany's improved image around the world, and results in growing numbers of overnight stays by foreign visitors: overnight stays in Germany's inbound sector rose again in 2007, increasing by 3.5 per cent to 54.8 million."
The largest delegation of international buyers was from the US, with 51 journalists and travel-industry representatives in total. The UK followed in second place with 46, then Japan, which sent 41 people. Next were China and Hong Kong, with 39 representatives involved in media or tourism.
The focal point of the GTM was the two-day workshop in Munich's Olympic Hall. A total of 366 exhibitors from Germany showcased their products and services to buyers from all over the world. Most suppliers were either hotels (34.6 per cent) – ranging from major international chains to smaller, independent establishments – or official marketing organisations for Germany's states, regions and cities (33.8 per cent). Inbound travel agents, tour operators and transport companies were among the remaining exhibitors. The GNTB also hosted various product seminars to give buyers a closer look at specific aspects of tourism in Germany.
The opening ceremony in the State Opera House/Residenz Palace in Munich, the Bavarian evening in Augsburg Town Hall and the closing evening in Munich's Zenith Culture Hall were ideal for networking and strengthening contacts. They also gave the two host cities the chance to parade their finest attractions before an international audience. In addition, foreign journalists were invited to a pre-opening welcome event on 26 April. Between the workshop sessions, media representatives followed a specially compiled sightseeing itinerary in Munich and Augsburg.
The Post Convention Tours that follow on from this year's GTM give international participants the chance to take a first-hand look at what else Germany has to offer. They can choose from seven routes themed around the mega-trends of Culture and Events and Health & Fitness Holidays.
Munich and Augsburg have both had experience of hosting the GTM. The trade fair took place once in Augsburg, in 1979, and twice in Munich (1973 and 1993). Next year, the GTM moves on to Rostock. For this year's event, the GNTB is working closely with a number of partners in Bavaria, including many from the hotel industry, as well as Lufthansa, Deutsche Bahn and Sixt.
Vicky Karantzavelou - Monday, May 05, 2008