RECENT statistics issued by Düsseldorf Marketing und Tourismus (DMT) revealed that overnight stays by visitors coming to Düsseldorf from the Arabian Gulf countries have doubled since 2003, indicating a remarkable increase of 115.7 per cent.
To draw a comparision, all markets have recorded an increase of 56.2 per cent since 2003. According to the statistics, the Arabian market is among the 10 most important foreign markets.
Many factors have contributed to making Düsseldorf, the capital of the federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia, an attractive destination for Arab travellers.
The Arabian region has become a developing market for Düsseldorf’s International Airport, the third largest airport in Germany, and the largest airport in North Rhine-Westphalia.
Approximately 70 airlines connect Düsseldorf with around 180 destinations - including the Gulf states. Emirates Airlines, for example, connects Düsseldorf and Dubai twice a day. There are other flight options such as Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines, with change-over connections via Frankfurt or Munich, and with Swiss Air via Zurich.
Düsseldorf’s high-end hotels have also contributed to enhancing the city’s image as an important tourism hub. The grand opening of the luxury Hyatt Hotel at the city’s harbour this year has formed a new addition to the city’s hotel industry.
As a well-known medical tourism destination, Düsseldorf also attracts an increasing number of patients from Arab countries, Russia and the EU neighbouring states, receiving treatment at the city’s specialist facilities and clinics.
The city is also famous for international fashion and a hub for the latest fashion designs. It is home to an infinite number of fashion stores and catwalks, showcasing the creativity of various unique designers. Düsseldorf also attracts a large number of shopping lovers, including many visitors from the GCC region, who find offers that meet their desires and tastes.
One fifth of Düsseldorf’s total area consists of recreation areas, green spaces and forests. Moreover, one third of the city’s area is officially declared a nature reserve which guarantees a high quality of life and increases the attractiveness of Düsseldorf, which is considered a city with good living conditions, enhancing environment and nature protection in the light of urban development.