The image of and demand for Germany as a business travel destination are at an extremely high level -and improving constantly. This has been demonstrated by statistical surveys as well as by studies and opinion polls relevant to the industry. In the year 2007 Germany became the market leader in the business tourism area with an eleven percent market share of all international business trips worldwide and 7.4 percent growth from Europe. In this context, the primary focus of attention is on the promotion of business trips to trade fairs and exhibitions, as well as to conventions, meetings and events. However, in the future the increasing competition worldwide and dynamic growth in Asia may lead to some slight shifting in this area as well. In this regard, there is growing competition in the business travel sector –in the meantime China in particular has taken on a leading role in this segment next to Germany. According to the results of the Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Report (TTCR), which was conducted for the second time by the World Economic Forum Switzerland 2008 and which is the first international study on the travel and tourism industry as a location factor, out of 130 countries, Germany achieved an outstanding third place behind Switzerland and Austria. Germany holds a market-leading position with respect to infrastructure, especially road and rail transport as well as air travel. The spectrum that Germany offers in the area of international trade fairs and exhibitions is ranked in second place worldwide. The study examined a total of 71 variables that were crucial for the ranking. Germany grabbed top-flight results in the categories of political legislation / rules, sustainable environmental regulations, health & hygiene, and thus with regard to the general conditions affecting travel and tourism overall. |