In this interview, Petra Hedorfer, CEO, German National Tourist Board, details how the destination is evolving beyond classic hubs to highlight rich regional retreats, luxury wellness, and bespoke family travel.
Backed by new AI initiatives and landmark milestones like Frankfurt’s new Taj Hessischer Hof, Indian tourists are already outstaying the global average at 10.1 days per trip. Hedorfer outlines how deep trade partnerships, growing diaspora ties, and tech-driven travel mapping will shape the next era of Indo-German tourism.
How significant is India for Germany today, and what growth potential do you see from the market over the next three to five years?
India is a strategically important market for Germany. In 2025, Indian visitors generated almost 1 million overnight stays, up 3.4% on the previous year, and approximately €1.3 billion in tourism revenue.
Over the next three to five years, we see considerable growth potential in family holidays, wedding travel, honeymoons, premium experiences and leisure extensions to business trips. Our focus is on attracting first-time visitors, encouraging repeat travel and longer stays, and introducing more German regions to Indian guests. Close cooperation with Indian travel companies will be essential to translate this potential into sustained growth.
Another important driver is Visiting Friends and Relatives (VFR) as Indian students now represent the largest group of international students at German universities and skilled professionals working in Germany, also create strong personal ties between our two countries. These connections generate travel and are particularly relevant for families, with Germany perceived as a safe, welcoming and family-friendly destination.
That said, Germany is ready to welcome the growing Indian travelling community. We have a diverse and high-quality hotel landscape that caters to a wide range of preferences and requirements, from family-friendly and boutique properties to spa resorts, historic hotels and international luxury brands. Germany also has a strong tradition of hospitality education and training, with many international general managers at leading hotels around the world having received part of their education or professional training here.
Ultimately, we want Indian travellers not only to visit Germany, but to feel genuinely welcome, discover more of the country and stay longer. We look forward to sharing Germany’s regional diversity and warm hospitality with even more guests from India in the years ahead.
How are the preferences of Indian travellers to Germany evolving? Which destinations, experiences or travel segments are witnessing stronger interest, and what opportunities does this create for Indian tour operators and travel companies?
Indian travellers increasingly seek personalised holidays combining our vast offering in culture, nature, great shopping and local experiences with very attractive value for money. Munich, Berlin and Frankfurt remain popular, while romantic towns like Wiesbaden, Würzburg or Potsdam, spa stays, automotive attractions and family activities offer opportunities to broaden itineraries. One of Germany’s great advantages is that this diversity can be experienced within relatively short distances, with cities and regions easily connected by road and rail – making it convenient to combine very different experiences in a single trip.
For Indian tour operators, this creates scope for tailored products: a city break combined with Stuttgart and the Black Forest, a honeymoon featuring historic towns and wellness in an iconic luxury hotel or historic castle, or a family holiday with theme parks and lakeside stays. Flexible itineraries, suitable dining options and convenient transport arrangements can help travellers explore more confidently and encourage them to spend more time in Germany.
I am proud to say that the figures show this is already happening. Indian visitors spend an average of 10.1 days in Germany, compared with 9.2 days for overseas visitors overall. Together with the continued growth in overnight stays, this demonstrates Germany’s strong appeal as an aspirational and sought-after destination for Indian travellers.
How is Germany integrating technology, AI and sustainable practices into the visitor journey, and what is the objective behind the DZT India Digital Travel Knowledge Tour and its engagement with Indian travel and technology companies?
Technology is increasingly shaping the entire visitor journey – from inspiration and planning to booking and the experience itself. The GNTB’s Open Data and Knowledge Graph project connects tourism information and provides a strong foundation for innovative digital services and AI applications, making Germany easier to discover and plan.
The DZT India Digital Travel Knowledge Tour builds on this approach by bringing us into direct dialogue with leading Indian travel and technology companies. Our objective is to better understand how digital platforms, AI and changing booking behaviour are shaping travel decisions in this dynamic market – and to translate these insights into more relevant, targeted and conversion-oriented marketing for Germany.
Ultimately, it is about turning insights into action and potential into growth: using technology to connect the right travellers with the right experiences and strengthening Germany’s position in the Indian market.
From an outbound India perspective, which destinations, experiences and lesser-known regions of Germany should the Indian travel trade be looking at more closely in the coming years? How is Germany positioning itself as a diverse, year-round destination beyond its traditionally popular cities and attractions?
As we see strong growth from the Indian market, I would like more Indian travellers to discover that Germany is a year-round travel destination with a compelling offering as a leisure destination.
Germany is the number one cultural destination for European travellers, which puts us in a strong position to also in view of the growing demand for authentic, experience-driven holidays.
I would encourage the Indian travel trade to look more closely at Southwest Germany, combining Heidelberg, Baden-Baden and the Black Forest for culture, wellness and nature. Saxony offers Dresden, Leipzig, Meissen’s porcelain heritage and Saxon Switzerland’s landscapes. Quedlinburg and the Harz region are attractive for historic towns and scenic experiences.
In the north, Hamburg combines its maritime heritage and waterfront lifestyle with culture, shopping and a vibrant food scene, while Bremen offers a charming historic city experience and a rich Hanseatic tradition. And, of course, Berlin remains a must-see, with its unique mix of history, world-class museums, diverse culinary scene and excellent shopping. For those interested in gaining a comprehensive overview of German history, the Deutschland Museum in Berlin offers a fascinating journey through the country’s different historical epochs, bringing Germany’s past to life in an engaging and immersive way.
In Frankfurt, we have some great news for the Indian travelling community among many others is the recent opening of the Taj Hessischer Hof in Frankfurt – Taj Hotels’ first property in Continental Europe. It brings the renowned Indian hospitality brand to the heart of Germany and, adds another authentic Indian dining experience. Just a short journey from Frankfurt lies the picturesque spa town of Bad Orb, home to the renowned Toskana Therme – an inviting retreat for relaxation and wellbeing, complementing Germany’s vast spa landscape with more than 350 state-certified spas and health resorts.
So, whether it is cosmopolitan cities and culture, nature and regional experiences, or familiar food and new flavours, Germany offers the best of both worlds – a sense of familiarity when you want it and something new to discover around every corner.
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