Delegates to this year`s ITB Berlin will have even greater opportunities than usual to learn about Germany, which is the world`s most important outbound travel market, as well as being an increasingly prominent tourism destination. Already in 2004, Germany attracted more than 20 million international tourist arrivals and 45.4 million foreign bednights – an increase of 9.5% over the previous year, which was almost double the European average.

Preliminary estimates for 2005 suggest that Germany has surpassed the average growth for Europe yet again. Arrivals were up 6% through the month of October and overnight volume also rose 6% during the ten months. For Europe overall, the World Tourism Organization`s (UNWTO`s) preliminary results point to just over 4% growth for international arrivals, and Western Europe (UNWTO`s definition) managed little more than 3%.

Although there were mixed performances for Germany from one source market to another, both long- and short-haul markets recorded healthy growth. Asia seems to have strengthened its share in the first ten months of 2005, despite a stagnating Japanese market. And growth from the Middle East was strong. The USA, on the other hand, managed a relatively modest 3% increase in overnights, while arrivals rose by a more modest 1.5% on 2004.

A number of short-haul markets recorded double-digit growth, according to the German National Tourist Board (DZT by its German initials). These included Spain (+21%), Ireland (+14%), Denmark (+11%) and Switzerland (+10%).

Detailed results for Germany`s tourism in 2005, as well as forecasts for 2006, will be presented by Norbert Toedter, Director of Development/Market Research and Project Director of the Service and Friendliness Campaign of the DZT, and Rolf Freitag, CEO and Chairman of IPK International at a workshop being organised in the context of the ITB Convention.

`Forecasting Germany`s tourism` will take place on Friday 10 March in the Berlin room, hall 7.3. The following day, also but in Hall 7.1a New York 3, a separate seminar will focus on Germany`s hosting of the FIFA World Cup – one of the major sporting events taking place in Europe this year.

Discussions on the expected impact of the event, including advice on measures to be taken by the different states and cities to optimise a return on investment, will be led by Prof Dr Holger Preuss of the University Mainz.

The FIFA World Cup should boost the number of overnights spent in Germany by around 1.7% in 2006 overall, according to the DZT – which means some 5 million additional nights in hotels and guesthouses – as well as generating a significant increase in spending by international and domestic tourists. There will also be plenty of match fever – even outside the stadia – as football fans without tickets will be able to watch the matches for free on big screens in the respective cities and towns. Germany`s tourism is clearly set for another good year in terms of tourist numbers.

But, more importantly, thanks to capital investment in infrastructure and new stadia of around EUR 9 billion by the public and private sectors, the country is sure to enjoy longer-term sustainable tourism benefits. And, looking further ahead, the 40 billion or so television viewers whose eyes will be firmly fixed on Germany between 9 June and 9 July 2006 represent tremendous potential for the German tourism industry. This will be a main topic of the seminar on Saturday 11 March.