ITB Berlin News 2021 - Day 1 Edition

I EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW I
© Erik-Gross
View over the Radebeul vineyards
Saxony is the Official Culture
Destination of ITB Berlin NOW
2021. What is your message in
regards to this partnership?
Saxony's special appeal is deeply
linked to the combination of its
cultural treasures and natural
wonders. ITB's new Culture
Destination concept is tailormade
for our region. It provides
a special opportunity to draw
attention to Saxony as an
outstanding world-class cultural
and city break destination
combined with distinctive
nature experiences. With our
involvement at ITB Berlin NOW
2021, we actually provide to the
national and international trade
audience a preview of 2022,
when Saxony will be the official
ITB Berlin Host Country.
Together with Saxony Tourism
(TMGS), you are working on
adapting the strategy to current
hygiene protection measures.
How?
Saxony's extensive cultural
landscape is an essential life
blood for us, without which
tourism would function only to a
very limited extent. All our efforts
are aimed at ensuring that cultural
institutions can reopen from
March onwards, provided that the
current infection rates allow so.
Cultural events must be adapted
to the hygiene requirements
according to our progressive
reopening plan, although we
must take into consideration that
cultural institutions face different
challenges. The functions of a
museum are very different from
those of a theatre, a cinema or
a concert hall. Specific hygiene
concepts therefore have to be
coordinated via local health
authorities.
SAXONY'S
EXTENSIVE
CULTURAL
LANDSCAPE
IS AN
ESSENTIAL
LIFE
BLOOD FOR
US
What are your forecasts for 2021
with regards to the development
of tourist numbers and markets
of origin?
Approximately 50% of our
holidaymakers come from eastern
Germany. This share should be
a little higher in 2021 and 2022,
as people favour local travel.
Internationally, we primarily see
our neighbouring countries,
Poland and the Czech Republic,
to be the first to come back.
Which destinations in Saxony
are particularly attractive under
current conditions?
In 2020, Saxon Switzerland
performed best of all Saxon
holiday regions, with the smallest
declines. In general, areas
with a large and high-quality
range of holiday homes, flats
and campsites will tend to be
favoured by the tourists.
How is your budget for tourism
evolving in pandemic times?
In our government's draft for the
budget 2021/2022, we proposed
€27.4 million for tourism in
Saxony, which will be used to
finance the further development
and tourism marketing activities
of our regions - especially in the
restart phase. We fight for every
euro in the state government to
keep the tourism industry alive
VISIT SAXONY'S CULTURE CAFÉ
AT ITB BERLIN NOW
Here, ITB trade visitors and journalists can see some of
Saxony's top cultural highlights:
Experience great music and art, or go on virtual tours
through museums, manufactories and historical town
centres! From classic to contemporary, from rural to
urban – Take a break, come in and "feel the art beat"!
VISIT
C ULT UR E C AF E
Every day
from 10 a.m.
to 6 p.m.
© Franco Cogoli
ITB BERLIN NEWS • TUESDAY 9 TH MARCH 2021 13