Europe THE BEST OF
Familiar Favorites, Fresh Opportunities
IN THIS ISSUE…
2 Celebrity Cruises
4 Familiar Favorites, Fresh Opportunities
6 Collette Vacations
8 Perillo Tours
10 Trafalgar
12 Destination Germany
13 AMA Waterways
14 Compagnie du Ponant Yacht Cruises
16 Uniworld Boutique River Cruises
18 Voyages to Antiquity
20 Munich Airport (MUC)
22 CIE Tours International
23 Avis Rent A Car
1. France
2. United States
3. China
4. Spain
5. Italy
Top 10 Travel Destinations
Six of the world’s top ten travel destinations
are in Europe.
6. United Kingdom
7. Turkey
8. Germany
9. Malaysia
10.Mexico
Source: UN W TO
Berlin
Last year marked the beginning of an upswing in international tourism in Europe, with pockets of full recovery emerging from the decline of 2009. In 2011,
the trend continues, with a steady increase of international
tourists in perennially popular European destinations and rapid
growth in some emerging regions.
According to the UNWTO (United Nations World Travel Organization), Central and Eastern Europe are front-running regions in this recovery race with the most significant turnaround
from 2009. Even so, countries like France, which continues to
lead the pack in overall tourism numbers, with a whopping 77
million tourist arrivals, and Spain, which stands as the second
biggest tourism earner worldwide, experienced weak to zero
growth in 2010.
Several European destinations have successfully met 2008
figures—or even exceeded them. The star performer for recent
growth is Germany, where tourism numbers have outstripped
2008 levels and have catapulted the country into the top 10
travel destinations globally for international arrivals and receipts. Other European destinations that were able to exceed
their 2008 numbers were Austria, Belgium, the Netherlands,
Switzerland and Malta.
Market Opportunity
Bringing in 2. 5 million more visitors than in 2008, Germany was the
standout market in 2010. There’s plenty to love in this diverse destination, from cutting-edge fashion to traditional ciders and ales—and everything in between. For 2011, however, travelers to Germany may
be met with some unexpected deals, especially in Berlin.
Strong business in this modern metropolis has led Germany out of
the global recession more quickly than other EU destinations, and hotel
companies have reacted with a building binge that will add nearly 10,000
rooms to the Berlin market in 2012. Tourists coming to experience the
city’s renowned shops, trendy nightlife, music, art, architecture and history may be able to take advantage of lower room rates, stretching their
budgets to include guided tours or other add-ons.
Keep an eye on Berlin in 2012, but don’t forget about Munich, Hamburg and Frankfurt—the country’s other major tourism hubs. Of course,
Germany’s more pastoral pleasures are worth the trip. Access to the Alps
via Bavaria or exploring the Black Forest or tasting your way through
Germany’s wine region rank high on visitors’ lists.
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