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ITB Berlin News - Day 2

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36 SPOTLIGHT ON GERMAN

36 SPOTLIGHT ON GERMAN REGION: NORTH RHINE WESTPHALIA Hall 8.2 / stand 102a-c © Foto Oliver Franke, Tourismus NRW e.V. FACTS AND FIGURES: NORTH RHINE- WESTPHALIA HITS 50 MILLION STAYS North Rhine-Westphalia is the third most popular travel destination in Germany after Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. In 2016, 22.1 million guests visited North Rhine-Westphalia generating 49.6 million overnight stays. Visitors particularly enjoy the events and shopping opportunities in cities such as Cologne and Düsseldorf. Both destinations are among the twenty most visited German cities. North Rhine-Westphalia offers top-quality cultural events. Over 900 museums and 130 stages make the state one the most extensive cultural regions in Europe, alongside Paris and London. The NRW region also offers visitors six UNESCO World Heritage sites: Cologne Cathedral, Aachen Cathedral, the “Zeche Zollverein” coal mine complex in Essen, Augustusburg Palace, and Castle Falkenlust hunting lodge in Brühl - and since 2014, Corvey Castle in Höxter. North Rhine-Westphalia offers unique opportunities for active holidaymakers. The State has over 14,000 kilometres of cycle paths, over 50,000 kilometres of hiking routes and the largest ski area north of the Alps in the Sauerland region. Guests can travel to North Rhine- Westphalia via six international airports, 2,200 kilometres of motorways and an extensive rail network Hohenzollernbrücke in Köln-NRW North Rhine Westphalia Promotes Design and Creativity Dr. Heike Döll-König, CEO of Tourism NRW, the North Rhine-Westphalia tourism arm, highlights the region’s inspired new travel products and packages. In 2017 our focus is on our new project, #urbanana (“Discover the urban jungle of West Germany”). Tourism NRW is working with creative scenes in Cologne, Düsseldorf and the Ruhr to attract design enthusiasts to the region, while our new “Guide to the West” particularly targets design aficionados. What are the key strategies for NRW foreign markets? We want to increase North Rhine-Westphalia brand awareness and concentrate marketing activities on the Netherlands, Belgium and Britain. Our aim is to allow our guests to venture into North Rhine-Westphalia and discover all our regions and cities through topical subbrands. The Dutch, our top foreign inbound market, are very interested in active holidays. As they know our region well, we highlight new spots ICE HOCKEY WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP, COLOGNE The 81 st IIHF Ice Hockey Wo r l d C h a m p i o n s h i p will be hosted jointly by Germany and France from May 5 to 21, 2017. Ice hockey nations will get ready to play in both Paris and Cologne with 34 of the 64 matches being hosted in the Lanxess Arena in Cologne. With a capacity of 18,500 viewers, it is the largest multi-functional venue for ice hockey in Europe T h e E u r o p e a n C o m m i s s i o n n a m e d Essen ‘European Green Capital 2017’. Throughout the year, 3,000 events and civic projects will take place, including a sports activity day on July 2 with the inner city ring road being closed for cars, and the opening of a public bath area in the Ruhr river. The City is making admirable efforts to establish itself as a ‘City in transformation’ that is overcoming a challenging industrial history to reinvent itself as a Green City and a leading example for others. off the beaten track. Meanwhile, for Belgians who favour culinary pleasures we offer 40 Michelin-star restaurants and our undiscovered regional cuisine. “Going local” is also a trend for all markets and we will provide more than ever insider tips for shops, cafés or exhibitions. Do you have any new sub-exhibitors this year? For the first time, the regional section of the ADAC (German Automobile Club) will be present next to regional tourism boards, airports and “Mehr! Entertainment”, a company producing musicals. © Rupert Oberhaeuse THE EUROPEAN GREEN CAPITAL: ESSEN Dr Heike Döll-König CEO of Tourism NRW SKULPTUR PROJEKTE 2017, MÜNSTER Once in a decade, Münster turns into one of Europe’s most important locations for contemporary art. “ S k u l p t u r P r o j e k t e ” (sculpture projects) will turn the entire city into a huge exhibition space from June 10 to October 1, with 30 art works ranging from classic sculpture to performance art on display. For example, a bridge will be created just below the water surface, which will connect the two banks of Münster Port © Ralf Emmerich ITB BERLIN NEWS • Thursday 9 th March 2017 www.itb-berlin-news.com

© Thomas Keller HOSPITALITY / RESTAURANTS / BARS WHERE TO GO IN Berlin CLUBS / EVENTS / SHOPPING / CULTURE Berlin: Open for Adventure All Day, Every Day Berlin is setting the stage for travel success at ITB this year, the city remaining one of the fastest-growing tourism destinations in Europe. Burkhard Kieker, CEO of visitBerlin, the city’s travel marketing agency, tells us what makes Berlin a 365/24 city, and how this energy attracts so many visitors from all over. Burkhard Kieker, CEO of visitBerlin Berlin has developed a special magnetism in recent years. Freedom, creativity and culture attract people from all over the world. There is always something going on at any time of the day, every day of the year. Berlin is 365/24. Whether you want to attend a concert at noon or spend nights at the museum, in Berlin there is always the right option. For more information, please see visitBerlin’s new site, www.365-24. berlin With spring about to start, is this a special time to visit Berlin? When the café chairs are again put out on the street, spring begins in Berlin. Particularly recommended at this time are the numerous parks and gardens of the city. The green highlight this year will be the International Garden Exhibition in Marzahn, which opens on April 13. Are there any current exhibitions or events that visitors to ITB Berlin should attend? In March the new concert hall, named after the composer and musician Pierre Boulez, will be opened at the Barenboim Said Academy. Berlin’s newest classical music highlight is impressive, not only due to the outstanding acoustics, but also the extraordinary architecture of Frank Gehry. How does visitBerlin help visitors find out more information about the city? On our website visitberlin.com we have extensive information about the exciting events that ITB visitors in Berlin should absolutely not miss. Numerous events can also be booked directly via the site. Through our social media channels, we also broadcast the latest news and give the latest tips. ITB BERLIN NEWS • Thursday 9 th March 2017

ITB Berlin News