Tourism from India to Germany has shown robust growth, experiencing a remarkable recovery of 496% during the period from January to August 2023 compared to the same period in 2021. Known for its enchanting natural landscapes and diverse cultural offerings, Germany has become increasingly popular among Indian travelers.

Further, the German National Tourist Board (GNTB) reported that, in the first eight months of 2023, Indian visitors increased by an astounding 496 percent over the same period in 2021, highlighting the nation’s successful post-pandemic recovery. The country’s enduring appeal is evident from the increase of 85% from 2022, even though the overall figures are still 15% below the pre-pandemic level of 2019.

Furthermore, in the first half of 2023, India contributed 541,579 overnight stays, a notable increase from 339,503 in H1 2022 and a substantial growth from the modest figure of 90,843 recorded in H1 2021. This underscores India’s emergence as a key and promising market for inbound tourism to Germany within the Asian region.

In an effort to maintain this encouraging trend, GNTB revived its “Simply Feel Good” campaign last month and offered insightful advice on green travel strategies that cut down on carbon emissions. This campaign highlights Germany’s dedication to eco-friendly travel experiences, in line with the demands of environmentally conscious tourists.

Simultaneously, the ‘Embrace German Nature’ campaign, executed through partnerships with influencers and digital campaigns in the Indian market, has successfully heightened awareness of Germany’s varied natural attractions. Showcasing protected landscapes, cycling trails, rejuvenating spas, and more, the campaign strongly resonates with Indian travelers seeking immersive experiences in the wilderness.

These initiatives have markedly boosted the influx of Indian tourists, underscoring the effective alignment between Germany’s eco-friendly attractions and the discerning preferences of Indian travelers. With visitors from the region increasingly valuing environmental consciousness alongside cultural exploration, Germany is poised to provide enriching experiences to a expanding audience, remarked Romit Theophilus, Director of the German National Tourist Office in India.

The Met Office alerts come. Debi, the fourth named storm of the season, caused power cuts and travel disruption in some places.

Gusts of over 70mph (112.7km/h) have been recorded in Wales and Northern Ireland.

There is also a possible danger to life from flying debris and large waves.

The rain and wind first hit Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, then Wales.

It all heppened before moving eastwards and into the North Sea on Monday evening.

In Northern Ireland, Storm Debi caused road closures and some disruption to the public transport network.

NIE Networks said about 3,000 customers were without power, mainly around Craigavon, Newry and Downpatrick.

Gusts of up to 77mph battered parts of the Welsh coast. It all happened after a yellow weather warning across north, mid and west Wales.

Killowen, Northern Ireland recorded winds of 74mph and 68mph on the Isle of Man Winds.

A Met Office amber wind warning means a potential risk to life and property was in place for parts of south-west Northern Ireland in the morning.

The warning remained until 16:00 in parts of north-west England, including Cumbria, Lancashire and Merseyside.

Yellow weather warnings for wind were also in place for much of northern England and Wales until 18:00.

Met Office extended tgis until 21:00 for much of the north of England, including Lincoln, Sheffield and Manchester up to Carlisle and Newcastle.

A yellow warning for rain until 21:00 has also been issued for parts of north-east Scotland.

Storm Babet battered these parts last month, including Inverness, and Brechin in Angus.

Hundreds of homes had to be evacuated after the river South Esk breached its banks.

Storm Debi developed in the Republic of Ireland, where red weather warnings were in place earlier.

About 100,000 homes and businesses have lost power, the number may rise.

The Met Office said severe weather could lead to the flooding of homes and businesses with possible fast-flowing or deep floodwater causing a danger to life.

Spray and flooding could also lead to difficult travel conditions, with some road and bridge closures, and disruption to rail, air and ferry services.

The Met Office said mobile phone coverage may face disturbance, injuries and danger to life could occur from large waves.

These may occur as people throw beach material onto sea fronts, coastal and road properties.

British Airways said it had to make a small number of cancellations due to the bad weather. There is a reduction in the number of flights air traffic controllers will allow to land per hour.

There may more unsettled weather on Tuesday morning with a yellow warning for thunderstorms in place for the south of England.

The latest storm comes after Storm Ciarán caused flooding and disruption across the Channel Islands and southern England.

Another recent storm, Babet, flooded nearly 600 properties in Lincolnshire.

Experts say a warming atmosphere increases the chance of intense rainfall and storms.

However, many factors contribute to extreme weather and it takes time for scientists to calculate how much impact climate change has had on particular events- if any.

The world has already warmed by about 1.1C since the industrial era began and temperatures will keep rising unless governments around the world make steep cuts to emissions.

It’s one of the main draws that brings visitors to Iceland, for a float in its milky-blue, comfortingly warm waters.

But the world-famous Blue Lagoon geothermal pool has closed for a week. It is because of the current seismic activity around the site.

The site is part of southwest Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula. It is a thick finger of land pointing west into the North Atlantic Ocean from capital Reykjavik.

As well as the Blue Lagoon, the peninsula is also home to Iceland’s main airport, Keflavik International.

Iceland is one of the most active volcanic areas on the planet. Rather than having a central volcano, the Reykjanes Peninsula features a rift valley, with lava fields and cones.

According to the Icelandic, around 1,400 earthquakes were measured in the 24 hours. It leads up to around midday on Thursday November 9, with another 800 in the first 14 hours of Friday.

Seven of Thursday’s were of a magnitude of four or above. All of these were on the peninsula, between Eldvörp near the airport, and Sýlingarfell.

The most severe quake registered 4.8 west of Þorbjörn. It is a mountain roughly a mile south of the Blue Lagoon, at just before 1 a.m. on Thursday.

It is the largest earthquake since the activity began on October 25th. The Met Office wrote in a bulletin on Thursday.

While the accumulation of magma continues, there can be seismic activity on the Reykjavík Peninsula. This is because the magma intrusion causes increased tension in the area.

Magma three miles down

In the previous 24 hours, there were 1,200 earthquakes. They are mostly in the same area and at the same depth – around five kilometers (three miles) below ground level.

It is likely that seismic activity will continue, and be episodic in intensity, while magma accumulation is ongoing, the wrote on November 8, adding that “uplift continues in the area.”

By Friday, the area was still active, with around 800 quakes already measured since midnight.

The report is according to a 2 p.m. local time bulletin from the Icelandic Met Office.

A “dense swarm” of quakes started at 7 a.m., culminating in a 4.1 magnitude quake near Sýlingarfell shortly before 2 p.m.

However it was also at pains to point out that an eruption isn’t necessarily imminent.

The fact that there are now larger earthquakes than before in the area does not necessarily mean an increased rate of magma accumulation, said Thursday’s Met Office bulletin.

Friday’s bulletin warned that earthquakes of up to 5.5 magnitude “can be expected” as magma accumulation continues below ground.

However, they noted, at this stage, there are no indications that magma is forcing its way to the surface.

An explosive recent past

The Reykjanes Peninsula has now been coded yellow – one above the rest of the country’s green – for eruption risk.

According to a statement from Visit Reykjanes, the local tourist board, the current activity is similar to that preceding last year’s eruption of Fagradalsfjall, around 8.5 miles southwest of the Blue Lagoon.

Fagradalsfjall has erupted every year since 2021.

The latest eruption took place from July 10 to August 8, 2023. When hiking trails were reopened in August, visitors were warned not to walk on the still “steaming hot” lava.

There is no way of accurately predicting whether, where, or when this could result in a volcanic eruption or the possible size of such an eruption Þuríður Aradóttir Braun, manager of Visit Reykjanes told a news media.

The Blue Lagoon’s pool, spa, hotels and restaurants closed on November 9 and are scheduled to reopen at 7 a.m. on November 16, according to a statement on the website.

Any visitors with bookings will receive a full refund. Guests with reservations through November 15 have already been contacted, they confirmed.

Other tour operators near Mount Þorbjörn have also suspended activities until at least November 16, according to the local tourist board.

One road has been closed, and access to the Elvörp geosite has been halted.

The closures will be reevaluated on November 16, according to a notice from the tourist board.

A new tourism strategy for Northern Ireland aims to grow the value of the industry.

It is by up to 75% over the next ten years.

The baseline year is 2019, the last full year for which reliable tourism data is available.

In 2019, annual tourism spending in Northern Ireland reached an estimated £1bn for the first time.

The industry then suffered a huge downturn due to the pandemic before undergoing a partial recovery.

The Department for the Economy said it was anticipated that visitor numbers will reach 90% of 2019 levels this year.

Department has drawn up the draft strategy, NI tourism earned more than £1bn in 2019

Rise in price of flights ‘could hit tourism to NI’

A major plank of the new strategy is to convince visitors to stay longer and spend more.

It reported: “Our emphasis will be less on encouraging more visitors, and more on encouraging our visitors to stay longer, consume more tourism product thus spending more.”

The strategy proposed that resources be focused on four key markets: the domestic Northern Ireland market, Great Britain, the Republic of Ireland and North America.

The department said those markets have been chosen due to their scale, value, potential for growth and likely propensity to consider Northern Ireland as a holiday destination.

The strategy also aimed to make Northern Ireland an all year-round destination and spread tourist spending outside the traditional tourist hotspots.

It acknowledged that some key attractions such as the Causeway Coastal Route are “reaching capacity in peak season and creating potential frustrated demand”.

It said investments planned through the city and growth deals offers “capacity building opportunities” in other locations that could encourage a wider geographical dispersion of visitors.

International tourist arrivals to Europe are only 3.2% below 2019 levels and nights are down by 1.3% for the January-September period.

This happened after a summer of strong tourism demand.

The resilient intra-European travel and the influx of US tourists benefitting from favourable exchange rates drove this rebound.

This is according to the latest edition of the ‘European Tourism Trends & Prospects’ quarterly report.

The European Travel Commission (ETC) which provides an overview of Europe’s tourism performance over the summer months and its implications on the outlook for the shoulder season released this report.

Year-to-date data show that around 1 in 3 reporting destinations have surpassed 2019 levels of foreign arrivals.

Europe’s recovery was mostly driven by Southern European and Mediterranean destinations, notably Serbia (+15%), Montenegro (+14%), Portugal (+11%), Türkiye (+8%), Malta, and Greece (both +7%).

However, around 65% of reporting destinations are still below pre-pandemic figures.

Slower recoveries are particularly evident among Eastern European countries neighbouring Russia and Ukraine, and those that are normally reliant on Russian travellers.

The Baltic countries have registered the sharpest declines: Estonia (-27%), Latvia (-30%), and Lithuania (-33%).

Miguel Sanz, ETC’s President said despite persistent economic and geopolitical challenges, it is encouraging to observe the ongoing rebound of European tourism.

The true measure of tourism success extends beyond the number of visitors and nights spent at a destination.

It is essential to also consider and evaluate its impact on nature, local businesses, and the resident population.

As Europe’s tourism industry recovers, they should strive to develop innovative, sustainable metrics to better define its overall health and progress.

Full tourism recovery

European travel recovery remained resilient during the summer season, even amid significant challenges posed by increased inflation, high costs of living, extreme weather events and airline strikes.

Persistent geopolitical instability continues to have repercussions on Europe’s tourism outlook.

The ongoing war in Ukraine still affects arrivals figures in Eastern Europe.

The developing conflict in Israel poses risks going into the shoulder season, especially for destinations such as France, Türkiye and Romania. These are popular with Israeli travellers.

Nevertheless, foreign arrivals to Europe may continue recovering by the end of 2023, albeit at a slower pace. This will reach 91% of pre-pandemic levels for the whole year.

Forecasts suggest that international tourist arrivals in Europe will reach 2019 levels by 2024, a year earlier than initially predicted.

Meanwhile, European airports are close to reaching a complete recovery in passenger demand.

Depending on ACI Europe’s August traffic report, passenger traffic across the European airport network is down by just 3.4% in comparison to the same period in 2019.

Tourists favour affordability and off-peak travel

Despite increased financial pressures, consumers continue to prioritise travel spending over other discretionary expenses.

However, due to high prices, tourists are now placing a greater emphasis on value for money when considering tourism products and experiences.

In particular, an increasing number of holidaymakers are opting for destinations that people consider more affordable.

Lower prices and favourable exchange rates are driving the tourism recovery in destinations such as Türkiye and Bulgaria.

Popular package holiday destinations such as Portugal and Spain are also experiencing high demand.

Generally, Europeans are considering a wider range of destinations than in the pre-pandemic period.

Türkiye, Montenegro, Albania, and Croatia are the top performers for overnight stays relative to 2019 levels.

Furthermore, travellers are increasingly employing a number of tactics to lower the overall cost of their holiday.

Many are opting to book their transportation and accommodation well in advance or considering off-peak trips in the shoulder season.

Package holidays are also increasing in popularity as these afford the traveller confidence that all essential costs are already accounted for.

Wonderful views, long mountain slopes, solitary peaks and hoary tranquility is the place to be for many travellers in both summer and winter.

The Alps are becoming infamous for traffic jams, overcrowded villages and pleasure seekers obstructing hiking trails and skiing slopes.

Once idyllic Alpine villages in pristine landscapes have now become ugly concrete fortresses of mass accommodation.

More recently, the effects of climate change are compounding the woes of the Alps.

Reasons

Longer and significantly hotter heatwaves and snowfall are causing glaciers to melt quicker and permafrost soil to thaw more rapidly.

At the same time, storms are increasing in strength and frequency, wiping out entire forests on the mountain slopes.

As a result soil erosion is worsening and could heighten the risk of land- and mudslides.

Tourism at risk

Tourism is the main breadwinner for Alpine populations.

Scaling back the annual influx of holiday makers seems out of the question.

Skiing resorts are especially hard hit by climate change and need to adapt the most.

Less snowfall and higher temperatures are already taking their toll. Substantially raising the bills for local communities to make up for the lack of natural snow with technical means.

Even so, Alpine temperatures are already rising above levels that render snow cannons and other machines that produce artificial snow useless.

All of this will change the face of tourism in the Alps, which is still the region with the most winter resorts in the world.

Henriette Adolf of the International Commission for the Protection of the Alps (CIPRA) thinks in the future people will no longer be able to enjoy “a string of seven days of Alpine skiing,”.

But need to be flexible enough to engage in activities more in line with “the local conditions” at specific points in time.

Hiking out of climate trouble?

Despite hiking and mountaineering growing in popularity in the Alps, those activities are also becoming more dangerous.

The gradual thawing of permafrost soils at altitudes above 2,400 meters (2,624 yards) poses a big problem.

These permanently frozen grounds act effectively like glue, holding entire rock formations. Their thawing can cause dangerous mudslides, rockfall or entire mountains to collapse.

The climate-related upheavals in the Alpine landscapes are increasing the pressure on the operators of huts and shelters in the mountains to adapt.

Some of those dwellings, needed to have their foundations reinforced to withstand soil erosion. Moreover, water is becoming scarcer in the summer.

Alpine clubs often operate them.

The downsides of success

Apart from climate change, tourism in the Alps is having a massive problem with too many holiday makers swarming the region every year.

Local populations are feeling overwhelmed by the mass influx of tourists.

Many of them only coming to chase the latest must-visit site popular on social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook.

The Council of Mallorca has launched its “Commitment to Responsible Tourism in Mallorca” manifesto at the World Travel Market in London. This initiative marks a significant shift in the strategic approach to tourism on the island, aiming to embrace sustainability, responsible travel practices, and the well-being of local communities. The manifesto represents a new perspective in the promotion and branding of Mallorca as a tourist destination.

Llorenç Galmés, President of the Council of Mallorca, noted that the global travel landscape is evolving, and this manifesto is a proposal for changing the model of promotion, communication, and brand management. It reflects Mallorca’s commitment to preserving its natural beauty and cultural heritage while ensuring long-term prosperity and the harmonious coexistence of tourists and residents.

José Marcial Rodríguez, the island’s Councillor for Tourism and President of the Mallorca Tourism Foundation, explained that the Commitment is a repositioning of the brand, focusing on sustainability and responsible travel practices. It aims to make Mallorca a destination where responsible tourism is prevalent and fosters a conscious coexistence between tourists and residents.

The manifesto also seeks to engage in a more sustainable and responsible future for tourism in Mallorca by collaborating with local and international institutions, long-standing tourism partners, and the support of visitors and residents. The Commitment has already received the support of key tourism agents and operators in the UK.

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) was the first entity to sign the “Mallorca Responsible Tourism Commitment.” The initiative is expected to pave the way for a transformative journey towards a brighter and more sustainable future for Mallorca’s tourism industry.

By presenting this commitment to responsible tourism at the World Travel Market, Mallorca aims to communicate its dedication to sustainable practices and highlight the importance of protecting the island’s natural and cultural treasures while promoting responsible travel experiences for visitors.

The World Travel Market 2023 (WTM) trade event in London is taking place against a backdrop of new challenges facing the global travel and tourism industry. Extreme weather events, high interest rates, and geopolitical uncertainty are among the pressing issues in the industry.

While these challenges are significant, they have not deterred travelers from taking trips and holidays, even amidst a cost-of-living crisis.

The industry is witnessing a variety of trends, including a surge in demand for package holidays and growing interest in luxury travel.

According to Dave Goodger, Managing Director, EMEA, Tourism Economics, travellers are exploring both affordable destinations and indulgent experiences, indicating a diverse and adaptable market.

At World Travel Market 2023 (WTM) trade event, destinations from around the world are promoting their countries and regions, and travel companies are showcasing their services. Industry experts are participating in panel discussions to address various topics relevant to the travel sector.

Greece, which faced devastating wildfires during the summer, is among the countries present at World Travel Market 2023 (WTM) trade event .

Dimitris Frangakis, Secretary General of the Greek National Tourism Organisation, expressed optimism about the country’s ability to adapt to climate change and minimize the impact on tourism.

Some destinations, like Georgia, are proactively addressing the issue of overtourism. Anna Kekelia from Georgia’s National Tourism Administration emphasized the importance of prioritizing “quality over quantity” when it comes to visitors.

She mentioned plans to develop car-free resorts, which would benefit the environment, local residents, and tourists.

Despite the ongoing challenges, the travel and tourism industry remains resilient, with travellers continuing to explore the world and discover new experiences.

As the industry evolves, it faces the imperative of sustainability and responsible tourism to ensure long-term success and minimize its impact on the environment and local communities.

At a press conference during World Travel Market 2023, the newly elected President of the Balearic Islands, Marga Prohens, together with the new Minister of Tourism for the Balearic Islands, Jaume Bauza Mayol, unveiled the future tourism strategy for the archipelago (which comprises of Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera).

The Minister of Tourism highlighted that the new Government – elected on 28 May of this year – has combined the departments of Tourism, Culture and Sport, stating ‘the Regional Government is dedicated to promoting tourism internationally, with culture and sport playing a vital role in this endeavour’. The new administration sees this synergy as a natural progression in order to continue promoting the archipelago’s offering beyond sun, sea and sand.

The promotion of cultural and active tourism is seen as the best way in which to attract tourists during low season, thus distributing tourism throughout the year. President Prohens emphasised that ‘the conservation and preservation of our environment and our commitment to the sustainability and circularity of our tourism sector provide added value to our proposition.’

Tourism, Culture and Sport

During the press conference, which also saw senior tourism representatives from each island take part in a panel discussion, upcoming developments in the Balearic capital of Palma’s cultural offering were shared. It was announced that the Caixa de Musica – a new venue for the Balearic Islands Symphonic Orchestra – would be inaugurated in the city before 2025, and that following restoration efforts, the Llotja de Palma, the 15th century maritime trading centre has now opened as an impressive Gothic space for art exhibitions.

In relation to the evolution of tourism product, the conference saw Ibiza’s Direct of Tourism, Juan Miguel Costa, announce the collaboration between the Ibiza Council and Professional Triathletes Organisation to hold a triathlon event from 28-29 September 2024. This new highlight in the Balearic sports calendar will attract hundreds of athletes to enjoy the island’s beautiful scenery in the off-season, in addition to over 40 existing international sporting events across the islands, including the Sailing King’s Cup, Vuelta a Menorca, and Formentera Triathlon.

A new approach

The new administration announced the modernisation of its tourism planning through a new tourism law, which will put dining and wider destination offerings in the spotlight, in addition to accommodation. The Minister for Tourism also specified that the Government would be cracking down on illegal tourist offerings which compromises the quality of the destination.

Visitor arrivals and seasonal distribution

The Balearic Islands welcomed 3,284,352 UK visitors between January and September 2023, marking a 10% increase compared to the same period in 2022. ‘This season, British tourists have comprised almost 21% of our visitors, and we take immense pride in that.’ says the Minister for Tourism. ‘We are so committed to this market that we plan to enhance it in the coming years by developing cultural and sporting tourism products designed to captivate their interest.’

In terms of off-season travel, the archipelago welcomed just under 1,200,000 travellers between October 2022 and May 2023, representing a 24% increase compared to the same period in the previous year. This demonstrates the success of the Balearic Islands’ ongoing strategy to attract visitors outside of high season, when they can enjoy a quieter, more authentic side to the islands.

Once renowned as Spain’s party island, Ibiza has undergone a remarkable transformation to become a thriving destination for athletic travellers and sports enthusiasts.

Blessed with a picturesque landscape featuring golden beaches, rolling hills, pine forests, lush mountains, and a climate boasting 300 days of sunshine annually, Ibiza is now embracing outdoor sports and wellness activities with a diverse array of exciting events scheduled for 2024.

In 2022, Ibiza successfully hosted nine sports events, attracting a total of 28,800 visitors to the island. The economic impact of these events was substantial, amounting to €30.1 million, with an average expenditure of €1,047 per person, according to the Institute of Statistics of the Balearic Islands.

PTO European Open: Ibiza’s Sports Highlight

One of the standout events in Ibiza’s sports calendar is the Professional Triathletes Organisation (PTO) European Open, scheduled for September 28-29, 2024. The PTO European Open is set to determine the ‘European Champion’ in the picturesque setting of Ibiza. This prestigious event has garnered attention and support from the PTO and the Spanish Triathlon Federation.

Vicente Mari, the president of the Consell de Ibiza, emphasizes the importance of positioning Ibiza as a world-class sports destination. The impact of the PTO Tour in May 2023 brought in 12,000 additional visitors, resulting in an estimated economic impact of €12.5 million. Moreover, it extended the tourist season, reinforcing the message that Ibiza is “open for business” beyond the traditional summer months of June, July, and August.

Ibiza’s Sports Events Beyond the Summer Season

Ibiza’s sports calendar is packed with various events aimed at extending the tourist season and promoting the island as a year-round destination.

10K Ibiza-Platja d’en Bossa (January 28): This race, set in the beautiful surroundings of Ibiza, features wide and level roads that run along the coastline and through picturesque locations.

La Ruta de la Sal Regatta (March 28 & 30): The Ruta de la Sal is the Mediterranean’s most significant offshore regatta, attracting both amateur and professional sailors.

Ibiza Cycling Tour (October): October is synonymous with road cycling on the island, with cyclists enjoying breathtaking views and discovering hidden gems of Ibiza.

Ibiza Marathon (April 13): This marathon combines the beauty of Ibiza’s landscapes with a refreshing Mediterranean breeze, creating a unique challenge.

Ibiza Half Marathon: Covering scenic points on the island, this half marathon takes participants from Sant Josep to Ibiza Town, culminating in the iconic Port of Ibiza.

Ibiza Trail Marathon (October): Known for its stunning landscapes and warm autumnal weather, this marathon offers a unique way to explore the island.

Ibiza: The Ideal Destination for Sports Enthusiasts

Ibiza’s year-round sunshine and convenient accessibility, just a two-hour flight from London, make it the perfect destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Whether you’re a seasoned athlete or a spectator, these sporting events offer a unique way to experience the island’s natural beauty while taking part in or witnessing thrilling competitions.

Additionally, Ibiza’s hospitality sector is booming, with new hotels set to open in the coming year, such as Hyde Ibiza Hotel, Mondrian Ibiza, and Los Felices, providing even more options for visitors to enjoy their stay on the island. Ibiza has successfully diversified its offerings to cater to a broader audience, making it not just a party destination but a thriving hub for sports, wellness, and outdoor experiences.