Germany Gears Up For Growth

With no testing requirements needed for entry to the destination, Anja Brokjans, director of the German National Tourist Office, said vaccinated travellers can start enjoying the beauty and diversity of Germany as soon as they land.

“I think the moment is right to talk about booking travel,” Brokjans said during an event in Toronto on April 7 for the launch of a new marketing campaign called German.Local.Culture. “We’re quite bullish for this year knowing that the Oberammergau Passion Play will take place this year and also there’s a huge pent up demand for travel.”

Prior to the pandemic, Canadian overnight stays hit an all time high of 730,000 with the top three states visited in 2020 being Bavaria, Berlin and North Rhine-Westphalia.

“Airlines are ramping up their flight schedules offering more direct flights from Canada to Germany,” she said. “Lufthansa Group and Air Canada are offering up to 91 direct flights from Canada to Germany.”

Here are the weekly routes:

• Halifax to Frankfurt, three nonstop flights
• Montreal to Frankfurt and Munich, 21 nonstop flights
• Toronto to Frankfurt and Munich, 35 nonstop flights
• Calgary to Frankfurt, 11 nonstop flights
• Vancouver to Frankfurt and Munich, 21 nonstop flights

Eurowings Discover is launching two new routes this summer from Calgary and Halifax to Frankfurt. From May to October Condor is also returning to Canada with direct flights from Toronto, Halifax, Vancouver and Whitehorse to Frankfurt. Notably, Toronto to Frankfurt will become a year-round service.

Since the pandemic, Brokjans said the drivers for overseas travel have shifted to the destination’s effectiveness of managing COVID-19, flexible cancellation policies, fully-lifted travel restrictions and health and safety protocols in the destination.

As for the new campaign, German.Local.Culture highlights sustainable travel, green cities, opportunities in nature and authentic local experiences.

“The pandemic has led consumers to a new understanding of themselves and their priorities,” she said. “It has emphasized the importance of health and balanced lifestyles, and has increased the desire to rebuild a greener and more sustainable world.”

The campaign also promotes Germany as a destination for longer holidays, cultural experiences, family travel and active holidays.

Although she pointed out that historically 82% of all bookings to Germany from Canada are online, she noted that the travel trade is also important.

“They’re quite important of course because there’s so much uncertainty and people want to know for the COVID rules what do I have to do, do I have to quarantine, I mean I get all these questions every day, so I think there’s still importance for them,” she told PressToday.

Pictured at the event are:

Ashton Wilson – Office Manager, VoX International
Andrea Frankiss – Account Coordinator, GNTO
Anja Brokjans – Director, German National Tourist Office
Lana Lubon – Sales & Marketing Coordinator, VoX International.