Neesha’s monthly market tip - German guests

German traveller.....Did you know?

Tourist arrivals from Germany increased 9,7% to 192,822 from Jan-Nov ’10 compared with 175,836 German tourists from Jan-Nov ’09.
In June 2010, during the 2010 Fifa World CupTM, tourist arrivals from Germany increased 108,5% (7,501 arrivals) to 14,413 arrivals compared with 6,912 arrivals in June 2009.
In July 2010, arrivals from Germany increased 34% (3,620 arrivals), to 14,258 compared with July 2009 when there were 10,638 tourist arrivals from Germany.
In 2009, German tourists’ modal length of stay in SA was 13 nights. They visited on average 2 provinces, with most bed-nights spent in the Western Cape, followed by KwaZulu-Natal.
Reading a travel journal or magazine with SA content is the #1 source of information for German tourists when researching travel to SA, followed by visiting the country’s website or using a search engine.

Travellers from Germany are very internet savvy and are mostly likely to book travel using internet travel agencies, and directly with airlines. They are likely to compare prices in order to find the best deal.
Specials on flights, safaris and hotels will encourage first time visitation to South Africa.

Product tips: 

• Continental breakfasts are preferred with teas, freshly brewed coffee (no instant coffee), and a choice of juice.
• German tourists would love to try South Africa’s local beer.
• They are keen to sample typically South African cuisine like Springbok, different varieties of game, ostrich, bobotie, and Indian food (especially when they are in Durban).
• Germans love people watching so consider taking them to places with lots of people.
• Tour guides should be very knowledgeable as German tourists ask a lot of questions and will have done a lot of research about South Africa before booking their trip.
• Germans are environmentally conscious and like it if waste is separated and recycled. They would notice if an engine’s coach is running unnecessarily and would appreciate it if it was switched off when waiting for passengers. They like saving power, and prefer fresh towels in their rooms only on request.

Useful German phrases:

Good morning	Guten Morgen (Gooten-mor-gen)
Good evening	Guten Abend (Goo-ten-ah-bend)
Good night	Gute Nacht (goo-tuh-Nakht)
Hello	Hallo (Hahloh)
Goodbye	Auf Wiedersehen (owf vee-der-zay-en)
How are you?	Wie geht’s (vee gayts?)
Fine, thank you	Danke, gut (Dan-keh, goot)
What is your name?	Wie heißen Sie? (Vee high-sen zee?)
My name is - ?	Ich heiße – (Ick high-she - )
Nice to meet you	Nett, Sie keenen zu lernen (net zee Ken-en tsoo-ler-nen)

Author: SA Tourism