Dubai, UAE – The German National Tourist Office GCC (GNTO GCC) has expressed confidence in the continued strength of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) outbound travel market, highlighting steady growth in visitor numbers and significantly higher spending by GCC travellers in Germany.

The announcement was made during a press conference held on the opening day of Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2026, taking place from September 14 to 17 at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC).

According to the GNTO GCC, visitors from the GCC recorded approximately 1.2 million overnight stays in Germany in 2025, marking a 9% increase compared with 2022. GCC travellers also generated combined spending of around €3 billion during the year, with expenditure per trip and per traveller exceeding the average spending of overseas visitors to Germany by more than 30%.

The GCC currently ranks as Germany’s third-largest overseas source market, underscoring the region’s importance to the country’s tourism sector.

Yamina Sofo, Director of the Marketing & Sales Office – GNTO GCC, an affiliate of the German National Tourist Board (GNTB), said that the market had demonstrated sustained growth between 2022 and 2025, both in visitor numbers and tourism expenditure.

“After a promising start to 2026, with GCC overnight stays increasing by 4.7% to 68,455 in January, the second quarter and the remainder of the first half of the year saw some moderation,” Sofo said.

She attributed the slowdown to exceptional disruptions to air traffic across the Gulf during the period, which affected passenger flows and direct travel to Germany. Despite these challenges, she noted that demand from the region remained resilient and continued to demonstrate Germany’s strong appeal among GCC travellers.

“At ATM this year, we are showcasing Germany’s year-round appeal, supporting our local partners and highlighting the wide range of experiences available to GCC travellers,” Sofo added. “The GCC remains Germany’s third-strongest overseas market, and we are confident that there will be a swift recovery once flight schedules return to normal, particularly given the significant pent-up demand.”

Germany’s participation at ATM 2026 brings together a number of key tourism and travel partners, including Visit Berlin, Lufthansa Group, Value Retail Management GmbH – Ingolstadt Village & Wertheim Village, Munich Airport and Studiosus Incoming.

Munich Airport Strengthens GCC Connectivity

Munich Airport is also using ATM 2026 to highlight its growing focus on travellers from the Middle East, particularly following the opening of its new 95,000-square-metre Terminal 1 Pier.

Designed with the needs of Middle Eastern travellers in mind, the new facility aims to provide a seamless and comfortable travel experience while accommodating up to six million additional passengers. It will serve as the airport’s primary terminal area for airlines operating routes from the region and their passengers.

The importance of the GCC market is reflected in passenger traffic between Munich and the Gulf. In 2025, approximately 1.6 million passengers travelled on routes connecting Munich with Gulf destinations, accounting for 18% of the airport’s total long-haul traffic.

Munich Airport is currently connected by 15 airlines to 15 destinations across 10 countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, further strengthening its role as an important gateway to Bavaria and Germany.

The airport has also welcomed a new office established by the Bavarian-Arab Society, providing a dedicated point of contact for Arab travellers while supporting cultural exchange and offering personalised services.

“Together with the German National Tourist Board, Munich Airport remains committed to strengthening connectivity, hospitality and cultural ties between Germany and the Arab world, while positioning Germany and Bavaria as a premier destination for family, leisure, medical and luxury travel,” said Corinna Born, Director International Media Relations at Munich Airport.

Germany Promotes Year-Round Tourism Experiences

Looking ahead, Germany’s tourism campaigns for 2026 and 2027 will highlight the country’s diverse year-round attractions, covering sustainable travel, nature, urban culture, gastronomy and seasonal experiences, alongside major cultural events and anniversaries.

Among the key campaigns is “Simply Feel Good,” which will showcase destinations and travel experiences incorporating sustainability initiatives. “Next Stop: Travel Destination Germany” will spotlight the country’s diverse cities and contemporary culture, while “Culinary Germany” will focus on regional cuisine, fine dining and sustainable gastronomy.

The “Family & Friends in Nature” campaign will encourage visitors to explore Germany’s hiking and cycling trails, national parks and outdoor attractions. Meanwhile, “Season’s Greetings from Germany” will promote the country’s traditional Christmas markets and winter experiences.

Culture will also feature prominently in Germany’s tourism calendar, with the 150th anniversary of the Wagner Festival in Bayreuth among the major highlights. In 2027, Germany will host BTHVN 2027, commemorating 200 years since the death of Ludwig van Beethoven, alongside documenta 16 in Kassel, one of the world’s leading contemporary art exhibitions.

The International Garden Exhibition (IGA 2027) in the Ruhr region will add another major attraction, bringing together gardens, nature, culture and sustainable urban development.

Through these initiatives, Germany aims to reinforce its position as a diverse, year-round destination for GCC travellers, offering a broad range of experiences spanning culture, nature, gastronomy, family travel and sustainability.