Rising GCC tourist numbers to Hamburg reaffirm city’s popularity

Dubai, 4 July 2017 – Recent tourist numbers and overnight hotel stay figures in the port city of Hamburg have reaffirmed the city’s popularity among travellers from the GCC region, according to the Hamburg Tourism Board. The latest source market report has also revealed that Arab Gulf states are one of the most dynamic markets for Hamburg. 

The inflow of GCC tourists into Hamburg is expected to rise further as new attractions and landmarks have been added to the city, including Elbphilharmonie Hamburg, a modern music concert hall located within the HafenCity Hamburg quarter. 

The new and iconic landmark is considered a unique architectural masterpiece comprising three concert halls, a hotel, residential apartments and the publicly accessible Plaza, a viewing platform on 37 metres height. As an iconic destination within a destination, the Plaza lays in the gap between the old warehouse on which the landmark was built, and the modern glass structure above it. In just half a year since its opening, more than 2 million visitors have enjoyed the Plaza’s unparalleled 360 degree views of the city of Hamburg. 

Attracted by Hamburg’s pristine natural landscapes, lakes and rich history, GCC families in particular, are drawn to the city’s prominent attractions such as the Miniatur Wunderland or 'Miniature Wonderland'. The world’s largest model railway system is extremely popular with families for its intricate real-life-like design, fun and educational experiences and features 930 trains with nearly 14,450 railway wagons, 228,000 trees, 215,000 figures, 8,850 cars, 13,000 metres of track and 3,660 buildings and bridges. The impressive miniature versions of Hamburg, the mountainous German region of the Harz, the Austrian Alps, France, Italy, North-America and Scandinavia, in addition to the world’s smallest ‘operating’ airport shouldn’t be missed.Quite a different experience awaits the families on rails at the nearby Hamburg Dungeon, a chamber of horrors, where actors perform spine-chilling scenes from Hamburg’s history as you are transported around the dungeon – goose bumps guaranteed. 

Certainly a museum with a twist, located directly in the historic warehouse quarter of Hamburg, which is since 2015 part of the UNESCO World Heritage list in Germany.

Another attraction popular with visitors is the inner city Alster Lake, a 160-hectare lake that was created in the 13th century by damming the Alster River. Visitors flocking to Hamburg from all over the worldcan enjoy family-friendly cruises, canoe tours and sailing trips across theAlster with a great opportunity to view the myriad of houses and villas adjacent to the lake. The lake is also dotted with numerous restaurants and cafes offering stunning views of the water.

During a family holiday in Hamburg, guests should make sure to visit the TierparkHagenbeck. Granted, there are zoos all over the world, and tigers will have their stripes in each of them. And yet “Hagenbeck”, as the locals call their zoo, is a very special one: in 1907 it was the first zoo in the world where exotic animals could be admired uncaged. 

TierparkHagenbeck can be considered the mother of all modern zoos – with a carefully landscaped park and outdoor enclosures. Since 2007, Hagenbeck also includes a tropical aquarium, where an adventurous jungle-path leads you to the shark tank, crocodile pool and snake pits. 

Additionally, Hamburg’spleasant summer months and cool temperatures, offer a respite from the hot GCC summer season, making it the perfect destination for families to enjoy a mix of culture, nature, architecture, arts and relaxation in a safe and friendly environment. These unique attributes will only serve to boost the number of visitors and families travelling to Hamburg from the GCC.