The number of overnight stays by GCC nationals in Germany increased by 16.4 percent during the first five months of 2010. During this time 243,759 overnight stays were recorded. Compared to the same period of 2008, that is before the economic downturn, the number of overnight stays by GCC travelers in Germany recorded a 30,3 percent increase, from 187,004 to 243,759. With the central European country as popular as ever with tourists from the Gulf region, Germany is gearing up to welcome Arab guests who will be visiting the country during Eid Al Fitr holiday. As Germany is home to a large Muslim population, it offers tailor-made holiday packages that are suitable for every taste. Visitors are guaranteed to enjoy a memorable holiday experience during “Eid Al Fitr”. “Germany is the second most visited European country by travelers from the Arabian Gulf,” said Antje Roeding, director for the Gulf countries at the German National Tourist Office. “Germany has wonderful nature, picturesque towns, excellent hotels, high-class restaurants and varied shopping opportunities. Most importantly, we offer our guests from the GCC region our German hospitality, which shows itself both in the famous German quality of service as well as in the warmth of the welcome we extend to each and everyone who is visiting our nation,” she added. Over the past few years, there has been a rapid increase in the number of GCC tourists who spend their holidays in Germany. Statistics recently published by the German Federal Statistics Office show that the number of overnight stays by GCC nationals in Germany during the first five months of 2010 has reached 243,759 nights. In comparison with the same period in 2009, this number indicates a 16.4 percent increase in overnight stays. In comparison to the same period of 2008, before the economic crisis, the number of overnight stays by visitors from the GCC to Germany rose by 30,3 percent. The increase in tourism from the Arabian Gulf region was among the highest of all regions in the world. There are plenty of sights to see and things to do in Germany this Eid holiday. Germany boasts 27 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The country encompasses a rich ensemble of historical sites, architectural monuments as well as swaths of natural reserves and river landscapes. Special offers for Arab guests include luxury hotels that do not only employ Arabic-speaking staff, but also offer special menus and reserve entire floors for their regular visitors from the Gulf region. This has made Germany one of the preferred destinations for travellers from the Gulf region. The Eid holiday in Germany is destined to be especially attractive, as there are many possibilities to celebrate in an Islamic atmosphere in cities all over the country. Similar to Muslim countries, mosques in Germany are usually decorated with lights, and various restaurants offer Halal food. Nice promenades with all kinds of cafés and restaurants are considered a wonderful gathering spot for families to celebrate the Eid Holidays while they can enjoy a nice “Kaffee und Kuchen” (Coffee and Cake), a typical German tradition when celebrating a festival. A whole-day trip to amusement parks is a traditional Eid celebration for Arab families with children. Europa-Park in Rust, close to Freiburg, is Germany's biggest theme park. It awaits visitors with a concept of thirteen different European areas that offer more than 100 attractions and shows. Europe´s biggest non-profit children, youth and family centre “FEZ Berlin” or the “Legoland Discovery Centre” in Berlin, are also among the country's various attractions.
