Tens of thousands of tourists from the GCC region will travel to Germany this summer, one of the most popular European holiday destinations for Gulf nationals. Germany is not only the richest and most populous nation in Europe; it also is a growing tourist destination attracting approximately 54.8 million overnight stays annually. According to Antje Roeding, director Gulf Countries of the German National Tourist Office (GNTO), “the total number of overnight stays from the Gulf Countries in 2007 has increased to 724,721. Since 1998, the number of overnight stays in Germany grew by almost 134 percent, which amounts to an annual rise of 11.4 percent. Out of the 724,721 overnight stays, 493,000 were in one of the so called ‘magic cities' (Munich, Frankfurt, Düsseldorf, Berlin, Hamburg, Cologne, Stuttgart, Hanover, and Dresden).” The holiday period has started in Germany and the country is expecting tens of thousands of visitors from the GCC states alone. Rashed Mohammed Al-Mel, an Emirati national employed with the Federal Foreign Trade Ministry, has been traveling to Germany since 1984: “I sometimes fly to Germany twice a year with my family. The thing I like most about it is the beautiful landscapes, the great weather, but most of all, I appreciate the safety there. I don't think you will find any country in Europe that is as safe as Germany. I can take a walk with my wife at night with a good conscience, as if I was back home. I always get the feeling that the Emiratis are much respected among the German people. It's just a great country.” Similarly, Noor Mohammed Al-Kindi, head of Public and Guest Relations at Dubailand, another Emirati national who frequently travels to Germany, said: “I have traveled to so many countries with my family, but it was only in Germany that I truly felt like I was on a holiday. I love the cleanliness and the friendly local population. There are such beautiful pedestrian ways in cities like Munich, Düsseldorf and Cologne; it all gives you this feeling of a medieval flair. Another thing I love about Germany is its beautiful parks and public gardens. Also, my children absolutely loved Legoland. And until now we are still caught by the magic of the ski resorts in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, which turn into a paradise in the summer.” Garmisch-Partenkirchen is a one hour and 30 minutes' drive away from Munich and located in an area that is known for its magnificent landscapes, attracting large numbers of visitors in the summer who are in search of natural beauty. There are cable cars that take visitors to the Zugspitze, Germany's highest mountain at almost 3,000 meters. Germany is a very varied tourist destination that has a wide range to offer. __
