Anne Dollendorf of the GNTO office
Baden Baden's Anne-Greth Paulus
Germany's rail system DB Bahn's Irina Ens
Sometimes it’s hard to convince a client to keep their European trip to just 1 country. But savvy clients know there’s so much to explore in every country (even if it looks pretty small on a map) – and this year is no exception for Germany.
That was the message at a recent industry function held at tony Sassafraz Restaurant in YTO. Present were Anne Dollendorf of the German National Tourist Office, celebrating its 60th anniversary in Canada, and 15 tourism, hotel and transportation folks repping all regions of the country. Their mission in Canada? To spread the good word in YTO, YUL and YVR about how much there is to see and do in Germany.
Take little Baden Baden, for example. This gem of a city boasts 2 legendary spas (after all, the town name means spa-spa, or as Tiger Williams once quipped, “A town so nice they named it twice.”) Baden Baden is also home to the only Fabergé Museum on the planet and the oldest casino in Europe which actress Marlene Dietrich called, “The most beautiful in the world – and I should know as I’ve seen them all.” You don’t even need a car to get around the charming town, according to Baden Baden rep Anne-Greth Paulus.
If your clients have something to celebrate, send them to Dusseldorf. With 260 bars in 1 sq. km., they’ll find one that’s the perfect place to raise a glass. More the culture vulture type? Berlin has a whopping 180 museums - Punk music, gay life and even lipstick each get their own establishment. And Berlin actually boasts more hotel beds, at 128,000, than New York, NY.
And some very cool news from Munich Airport. This summer there will be daily service from YYZ, YUL and – new this year - YVR. Between flights you can rent a napping pod complete with bed, TV and Wifi from just €10/hr. or if they happen to be VIP/celebrity types, they can access the VIP wing (note, not lounge but wing) which will include limo and luggage transfers from/to their aircraft and passport control – all starting at €290 per person. I also learned that Munich Airport has its own brewery right on site (natürlich) and a beer garden. Oh, and in summer, a wave pool hosting surfing events. Who knew?
All perfect for the 18-35 crowd which Germany is targeting this year.
Since the GNTO opened in 1953 in Canada, Canadian room nights have grown from 21,000 to over 620,000 per year. And it looks like the Herzlich Wilkommen or warm welcome is bound to continue!
