Dresden, 9 September 2022 - Saxony is welcoming 90 travel buyers from 12 European countries and the USA to its Saxony Travel Summit, taking place in Dresden and Saxony's holiday regions from 11 to 15 September. The joint initiative of the German National Tourist Board (GNTB) and Tourismus Marketing Gesellschaft Sachsen (TMGS) is intended to help attract more international visitors to Saxony post-Covid. The Saxony Travel Summit serves as a platform for communication and networking, bringing together German tourism providers with international travel industry professionals.

"I am delighted that we have succeeded in bringing this high-profile event to Saxony in cooperation with the GNTB. After the two difficult years of the Covid-19 pandemic, it is important that we use this opportunity to promote Saxony as a holiday destination to an international audience. We want to showcase Saxony to international tour operators – as a world-class cultural and city break destination with stunning nature," says Barbara Klepsch, Saxony's Minister of State for Culture and Tourism.

For Saxony's tourism marketing organisation TMGS, the Saxony Travel Summit is one element of a comprehensive international marketing campaign. "After the long, Covid-related absence of international guests, personal contact is now particularly important. Our strategy to stay in the minds and hearts of potential guests during the pandemic through ongoing communication measures has already proven its worth and we see international visitor numbers rising,“ says TMGS Managing Director Veronika Hiebl.

Key source markets with positive developments

According to Saxony's Statistics Office, the region's accommodation providers recorded around 2.8 million visitors and 7.5 million overnight stays in the first half of 2022. constituting more than 25% fewer visitors than during the same period in 2019 and just under 20% fewer overnight stays. A total of 255,234 international guests travelled to Saxony between January and June 2022, generating 644,440 overnight stays. Key source markets have recovered very well, such as Poland, which is already back at the 2019 level. The Czech Republic and the Netherlands also show positive development. Visitor figures from the USA have rapidly increased in the first half of 2022, being twice as high as in 2021 and 2020. UK figures are on an upwards trajectory as well, with more British travellers between January and June than during the entire previous year. Visitors from Austria and Switzerland are also on the up with the number of guests arriving in the first six months of 2022 slightly exceeding the previous year's level and corresponding to about two-thirds of 2019.

Saxony Travel Summit with inspirational programme

Travel buyers from the Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria, Poland, the Czech Republic, UK, Italy, Belgium, Denmark, France, Sweden and Norway as well as from the USA can expect an inspirational programme at the Saxony Travel Summit, including a workshop on 13 September with 50 regional exhibitors presenting their travel offers, news and events for 2023 and the following years. On the two days before and after the workshop, Saxony's holiday regions will host the international guests who can choose to tour a range of sights and destinations, including Dresden, Torgau and Leipzig, Zwickau and Chemnitz as well as the Ore Mountains, the Vogtland, Dresden Elbland, Upper Lusatia and Saxon Switzerland.

2023 Saxony event selection

• 18 May to 18 June 2023, Dresden:
  Dresden Music Festival
• 11 May to 29 May 2023, Leipzig:
  Mahler Festival Leipzig
• 14 to 21 May 2023, Dresden:
  51st International Dixieland Festival Dresden
• 8 June to 18 June 2023, Leipzig:
  Bachfest Leipzig
  2023 will mark the 300th anniversary of Bach's appointment as Cantor of St. Thomas Church
• August 2023, Moritzburg Castle:
  30th Moritzburg Festival

2015 Preview: Chemnitz European Capital of Culture

In 2025, Chemnitz will be the European Capital of Culture. Under the motto "C the Unseen", visitors are invited to experience undiscovered places and explore an inspiring city that was a driving force behind the Industrial Revolution in Germany and combines a fascinating industrial heritage with top-notch art and culture.

ENDS

Notes to the Editor

About Tourismus Marketing Gesellschaft Sachsen (TMGS)

Tourismus Marketing Gesellschaft Sachsen mbH has been marketing Saxony as an attractive travel destination in Germany and abroad since 2000. Using the slogan “Saxony. State of the Arts”, it positions the region as a top cultural destination, focusing on arts, culture and city breaks as well as family, wellness and active holiday. Corresponding holiday packages can be booked via reservation systems and tour operators. Saxony's main source markets are Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria, the USA, UK, Italy, Poland, the Czech Republic, Russia and Asia.

About the GNTB

The German National Tourist Board (GNTB) represents Germany as a tourist destination on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action and is funded by the latter on the basis of a resolution passed by the German Bundestag. In close cooperation with its German tourism industry partners, associations and commercial enterprises, the GNTB develops strategies and marketing campaigns to build on the positive image of Germany as a travel destinations abroad and to promote incoming tourism.

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