The Greek island of Kos has seen a high increase in tourists from Germany this year despite the headlines surrounding the influx of refugees in the summer, according to a fvw.com report. The number of airline passengers arriving from Germany increased by 17% to 242,000 in the first ten months of this year, according to the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority. British tourist numbers went up by 8% to 219,000 but fewer Dutch and Russian tourists visited the island.
At the same time, Egypt and Tunisia are launching new advertising campaigns on the German market to win back tourists while Croatia and Kos are celebrating strong growth figures.
Advertising campaign
Tunisian tourism has suffered heavily this year after dozens of foreign tourists were killed in two terror attacks in Tunis and Sousse. Bookings have slumped and many hotels have closed, putting staff out of work. But the decision to award this year’s Nobel Peace Prize to the Tunisian National Dialogue Quartet, which helped secure democracy following the Jasmine Revolution of 2011, is a sign of hope for the country.
In response, the Tunisian tourist board has launched a new advertising campaign in Germany under the slogan “Tunisia celebrates the Nobel Peace Prize. For a living democracy”. The video spot is running on Facebook, Youtube and Twitter as well as digital screens in various major German cities. Digital users are invited to share the advert under the hashtag #United_for_peace. In addition, a separate image campaign ‘True Tunisia’, showing the 15-day trip of a Belgian tourist, Deborah, on a fascinating road-trip through the country, is running on various digital media.
Financial support
Meanwhile, Egypt will go ahead with a planned advertising campaign in Germany despite the Russian charter jet crash and the subsequent drop in bookings. Tamer Marzouk, director of the Egyptian tourist office in Berlin, told fvw: “Due to the current events we have decided to put back the start (from December) to the second half of January.” The campaign, featuring the country’s diversity including its cultural attractions, will run on online media, posters and TV channels.
In addition, Egypt is financially supporting tourism industry marketing measures for the destination, with 50% subsidies for tour operator advertising and 75% for Nile cruise promotions. Other measures include subsidies for charter flights to various airports.
Welcoming the support of the German tourism industry for Egypt, Marzouk urged: “I hope that those in responsibility will not let themselves be swayed by a short-term downturn, especially as far as their pricing strategy is concerned, and will not sell off a high-quality holiday product at knockdown prices.”
Healthy rise
Elsewhere, Croatia is celebrating a healthy rise in German tourist numbers this year and expects further growth in 2016 thanks to new and renovated hotels. The number of German arrivals should increase about 6.5% to 2.3 million this year, while overnight stays were 6.8% higher at 16.8 million in the first ten months of 2015. About one third of Germans stay in hotels, one third in holiday homes and one third on campsites.
Germany director Romeo Draghicchio told fvw: “The number of hotel visitors have recovered and is developing stably. Many former three-star hotels are now at four-star level.” This year alone some 25 new or renovated hotels have opened. “Croatia will have a fresh look in 2016,” he declared.
RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report
