A BBC World Service poll has indicated that out of 21 countries, Germany has the most positive image abroad and has a growing appeal among GCC nationals.
Of the 13,000 people polled globally, Germany alone was viewed favourably in all 21 countries, with 61 percent of participants having a positive image of Germany. This represents an increase of 5 percent from the results recorded last year.
The survey findings are supported by the Anholt-GfK Roper Nation Brands Index, an annual study that measures the image of 50 countries relating to their exports, governance, culture, investment, and tourism. Based on interviews with 20,000 people, the report indicates that Germany’s appeal has significantly grown since hosting the 2006 football World Cup, and it now occupies first place in the index with the best overall country "brand".
Increasingly strong relations between Germany and the Gulf countries have led to Germany’s rising popularity among GCC nationals, particular from Saudi Arabia.
Remarking on Germany’s appeal to Gulf tourists, Antje Roeding, director of marketing and sales, Gulf countries, said, “The German National Tourist Office has accompanied the increase in GCC tourists to Germany over the past few years with a great effort to respond to their needs, and reach out to Gulf nationals in their home countries.”
“Germany has much to offer families, couples and young people from the GCC region and will hopefully continue to attract them even during these times of global economic crisis.”
She said that 2009 was a particularly interesting year to visit Germany as they were celebrating a number of historical occasions including the 20th anniversary of its peaceful unification between East and West and the fall of the Berlin Wall.
