Germany attracts Indian tourists with exclusive experiences and luxury wedding destinations | to travel

The German National Tourist Board (GNTB) is stepping up its efforts to tap into India’s rapidly growing outbound travel market, unveiling strategic initiatives aimed at strengthening ties with Indian travelers and the tourism industry.

According to GNTB, during a press conference in New Delhi on Tuesday, GNTB CEO Petra Hedorfer discussed the organization’s plans to build on the strong foundation of nearly two decades of engagement in India, highlighting the expansion of specific market activities and collaboration programs with the German travel industry.

Hedorfer said: “We have been working in the Indian market with a sales agency for two decades. In 2015, we first started an India group, which has been very successful in supporting the activities of German partners in India. The number of overnight stays by Indian guests in Germany increased by almost 40% from 693,000 to 962,000 in 2019.”

He added, “With a new edition of the India Pool and market-specific activities, we are building bridges between the demand of Indian travelers and the tourism supply in Germany. Given the changing conditions, especially technological developments, we are also organizing a high-profile delegation trip with senior executives from the German travel industry next spring with the GNTB India Digital Travel Knowledge Tour.”

The flow of Indian travelers to Germany has been on a steady upward trajectory, with a notable increase even after the Covid-19 pandemic.

In 2023, Indian visitors accounted for 826,000 overnight stays in hotels and guesthouses, an increase of 33% compared to the previous year. This rapid recovery rate of 86% places the Indian market as the fastest recovering Asian country in terms of German tourism.

Looking ahead, Tourism Economics forecasts that Indian travelers will generate 1.6 million overnight stays in Germany annually by the end of the decade.

The market also has considerable economic potential, with IPK International estimating that Indian tourists spent approximately €900 million in Germany by 2023.

As part of its expanded initiatives, the GNTB will host the “India Digital Travel Knowledge Tour” from May 4 to 9, 2025. This delegation trip will bring together CEOs from Germany’s travel industry with innovative technology companies and Indian trips to cities like Delhi, Bangalore and Mumbai.

The GNTB is also launching targeted campaigns to cater to specific segments of the Indian market. The “Live Like a Local” project invites Indian influencers to explore the local customs and traditions of German regions, sharing authentic experiences with their followers.

The initiative includes an interactive travel guide tailored to user preferences, leveraging the high digital engagement of Indian tourists.

Also, Germany’s scenic locations are being promoted for Indian wedding events, with a dedicated campaign aimed at attracting lavishly organized celebrations to the country.

In 2025, the GNTB will reintroduce the India Pool, a collaborative effort with the German travel industry, composed primarily of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).