Germany is becoming increasingly popular as a travel destination: In 2009 the German National Tourist Board recorded 54.8 million overnights by foreign guests from the North Sea to the Alps. Despite the economic crisis Germany succeeded in maintaining its high level of tourism and in comparison with other countries was even able to increase its share of the international market. Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, Frankfurt and Cologne are the most popular cities with international visitors. Business travelers in particular value Germany as a destination. With an 11 percent market share of all international business trips Germany is the market leader in business tourism worldwide.

In Berlin, the number of overnights has been increasing for years: In 2009 it rose by more than one million to around 19 million. Most visitors to Germany come from other European countries, the USA and Asia. With regard to individual states, Bavaria, North Rhine-Westphalia and Baden-Württemberg are the preferred destinations.

In addition to historical sights, top-quality concert series, art exhibitions, theater performances as well as major international sports events, not to mention street festivals and atmospheric Christmas markets are just a few of the attractions that bring the visitors flocking. The Germans love to celebrate, and never miss an opportunity to do so. Many festivals such as Munich’s renowned Oktoberfest (which in 2010 celebrates its 200th birthday), Christopher Street Day in Cologne, the Carnival of the Cultures in Berlin, Fastnacht in Mainz and Carnival in Cologne have long become an international synonym for high spirits and a cosmopolitan atmosphere.

Whereas most foreign visitors are drawn to the big cities, Germans themselves tend to visit smaller places and rural regions in their home country: The coasts of the North and Baltic Seas, the Black Forest and Lake Constance are the most popular vacation destinations. Germany boasts no less than 14 national parks, 101 nature parks and 15 biosphere reserves. However, for active holiday makers too coastlines, lakes, as well as low and high mountain ranges are all becoming increasingly important. There are all sorts of opportunities available: There are as many as nine European long distance trails stretching for 9,700 kilometers throughout the country and a total of 190,000 kilometers of signposted walks. And for cyclists there are 50,000 kilometers of track on which to discover the country.