Focusing on popular tourist attractions like the fairy tale route and castle route, Germany is fast transforming from a business to a leisure destination for Indian travellers.
"Earlier 95 per cent of the travellers from India were in the category of business and incentive travellers. But now after our campaign, leisure tourists have also realised that Germany is an attractive destination for them as well," Director of the German National Tourist Office Romit Theophilus told reporters here today.
He said currently 35 per cent of travellers from India are estimated to be leisure tourists, a far cry from an insignificant five per cent in 2006.
Besides offering Indian food with more than 2000 Indian restaurants all over the country, tourists are being attracted with popular attractions like the fairy tale route, castle route and romantic route among others.
Germany has more than 20,000 castles with Neuschwanstein Castle in southern Bavaria being the most famous.
"Compared with other parts of Europe, hotels in Germany are much cheaper. Affordable hospitality is a big plus point we have," Theophilus said adding that carnivals like the 16-day Oktoberfest held each year in September are also big attractions.
In 2013, there were around 200,000-250,000 tourists from India, the official said, adding that this year a ten per cent jump was expected.
Together with hotels and airline companies, the tourist office has formed the GNTO India Pool which conducts multi-city roadshows throughout the year to attract travellers.
