40 SPOTLIGHT ON GERMAN
40 SPOTLIGHT ON GERMAN REGION: BADEN-WÜRTTEMBERG Hall 6.2b / Stand 201 © Landratsämter Alb-Donau und Heidenheim burkert gestaltung BADEN- WÜRTTEMBERG: FACTS AND FIGURES Southwest Germany, the federal state of Baden-Württemberg, is in the heart of Europe. Bordered by France and Switzerland, it is a cultural crossroads. With a history spanning the Stone Age to contemporary high-tech universities, romantic palaces and vibrant cities, natural outdoor beauty, glamorous luxury or plainold fun, SouthWest Germany has something for everyone. World-famous attractions include the scenic Black Forest, the beauty of Lake Constance, the culture and spas of Baden-Baden, the castle and university of Heidelberg and the cars and shopping in Stuttgart. SouthWest Germany was the birthplace of the automobile in 1886, and the home to global brands, including Mercedes-Benz and Porsche both of which that have the world’s best, state-of-the art car museums in Stuttgart. Families love Europa-Park, Germany’s most popular theme park that sports thrilling rides and has quality onsite hotels. For fashion lovers there is a wide variety of shops from chic boutiques to outlets with discounts on famous designer brands. 85 – The number of Michelin Stars in the region – a record in Germany. 185 – Breweries that produce more than 1,000 different types of beer. UNESCO World Heritage Ice Age Art Lonetal Vogelherd Southwestern Germany celebrates great “foodie” reasons to visit the area Wherever you go in Southwest Germany you are never far from a grand palace, a romantic castle, half-timbered houses – and something good to eat and drink. Stop in a café for coffee and cake; linger in a beer garden over a locallybrewed pint; taste wines at a traditional wine festival; sample schnapps and world-class gin in the Black Forest. In 2018 there are many foodie reasons to come to Southwest Germany, or Baden- Württemberg, as we call it. Andreas Braun, Managing Director, State Tourist Board Baden-Württemberg, says Southwest Germany has two major wine regions. “Baden has Germany’s most southerly and warmest vineyards. Stretching from Heidelberg to the Swiss border, between the Black Forest and the Rhine, they produce award-winning wines. The Württemberg wine region’s vineyards are small and on steep slopes along the Neckar River. They grow mostly red varieties, like Trollinger, a local, easy-drinking ENJOY THE STUTTGART REGION © Stuttgart-Marketing GmbH-Christoph Duepper Haute cuisine or Swabian specialities, fine wines or refreshing beers, celebrating at traditional festivals or hiking in the vineyards – the enjoyment in the Stuttgart Region manifests itself multifaceted. Stuttgart is a city with a long tradition of wine growing. The local wines range from Lemberger to Syrah and from Chardonnay to Riesling. Not only a joy to drink: the Stuttgart Region’s vineyards are perfect for long walks THE STUTTGART BEER FESTIVAL – 200 YEARS OLD Celebrating 200 years in 2018, the Cannstatter Volksfest, the Stuttgart Beer Festival, is the world’s second biggest beer festival and runs from September 28 to October 14. This 17-day-long event kicks off with the traditional keg tapping: the mayor draws the first beer from a barrel of speciallybrewed Festbier (festival beer). Seven vast tents are where thousands come for beer, crispy pork knuckles, whole roast chickens and live music favourite. The Freiburg Wine Festival is held in July and there is also the 11-day Heilbronner Weindorf in September.” Of Germany’s 300 Michelin-starred restaurants, a quarter are in Southwest Germany. The greatest concentration is in Baiersbronn, a Black Forest community, where three classy restaurants hold an astonishing total of eight Michelin stars Andreas Braun Managing Director, State Tourist Board Baden-Württemberg © Stuttgart-Marketing GmbH © TMBW OOOH! CHOCOLATE! © TMBW Garcia Urbina Chocolate making is an art form in Southwest Germany. Start with the Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte, the real Black Forest Cake, best eaten in the Black Forest: dark chocolate, fresh cream, sour cherries and lots of Kirschwasser (cherry brandy). Familiar around the world is Ritter chocolate, the familiar square, fit-in-your-pocket bar created back in 1912. Watch the process in the Waldenbuch factory: taste and buy a wide range of flavours ITB BERLIN NEWS • Thursday 1 st March 2018 www.itb-berlin-news.com
© Thomas Keller HOSPITALITY / RESTAURANTS / BARS WHERE TO GO IN Berlin CLUBS / EVENTS / SHOPPING / CULTURE Luring with diversity and cultural wealth Berlin’s Governing Mayor, Michael Müller, welcomes ITB Berlin guests and gives insight into the German capital’s growing renown as a major tourism hub ITB Berlin 2018 marks the start of another big year for one of Europe’s premier’s tourist destinations. Berlin’s tourism authority has unveiled a “2018+” concept that aims at attracting higher-end travellers to the German capital. There’s a view that visitors who come to enjoy the cultural attractions stay longer in the city – and spend more money. The idea is to attract “quality tourism” via a new marketing strategy in addition to a new city navigation system and new tourist routes. Michael Müller, Governing Mayor of Berlin In recent years, Berlin has become one of the top travel destinations in terms of international city tourism. The number of overnight stays in the German capital has almost doubled in the last ten years. Meanwhile, more than 30 million guests spend the night in Berlin annually. Thus, tourism is one of the most important economic drivers for the German capital. Why is Berlin the perfect location for ITB, and indeed a host of trade fairs throughout the year? Because the city is cosmopolitan and international, and because Berlin, as a trade fair city, has the experience and the skills that contribute to the success of such events. What are some of the special events planned for 2018 in Berlin that will attract visitors to the city? This year the festivities for the German National Day, the day of German unity [celebrating the day the country was reunified in 1990] on October 3 rd , take place in Berlin. For three days, millions of people can get to know the capital from its most joyous side. We look forward to millions of visitors from all over the world. Why does Berlin remain one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe? I think because of the diversity. Berlin really has something for everyone. The German capital lures with its cultural wealth, its museums, theatres, the historical memorials and memorial sites. But it is also the free and cosmopolitan atmosphere in our city that makes our guests feel so comfortable. Tourists often say: “We feel at home in Berlin.” That is a nice compliment because it says that you do not feel strange as a guest, but feel a strong sense of belonging. What are your travel tips for visitors attending ITB, and Berlin for the first time? Take the time to get to know the many sides of Berlin. Mitte with its magnificent buildings; Friedrichshain and Kreuzberg as creative neighbourhoods; Charlottenburg and Wilmersdorf with their bourgeois flair; or the citadel in Spandau – to name just a few examples of the diversity of our city. ITB BERLIN NEWS • Thursday 1 st March 2018
