New Delhi [India], July 28 (ANI): The proposed India-European Union (EU) Free Trade Agreement (FTA) will likely be a ‘recreation changer’ for financial ties between Germany and India by boosting commerce, funding and journey, German Ambassador Philipp Ackermann mentioned on Tuesday.
Responding to a query from ANI on the impression of the proposed India-EU FTA, Ackermann mentioned, ‘It will likely be a recreation changer in some ways. It will likely be for extra German funding in India and perhaps additionally for extra Indian funding in Germany. The lowering of tariffs and different obstacles between Europe and India will activate commerce and funding in these markets.’
He spoke to ANI on the sidelines of The Travel Destination Germany Press Conference 2026 within the nationwide capital, held to advertise Germany as a tourism vacation spot for Indian travellers.
Expressing optimism over the proposed settlement, the Ambassador mentioned, ‘I’m very optimistic that when, within the first half of subsequent yr, we implement this, we’ll see change over the approaching years on the subject of actions, journey, and I’m positive that will even enhance the numbers of holiday makers on each side.’
On tourism, Ackermann mentioned Germany is witnessing rising curiosity from Indian travellers however believes there may be vital untapped potential. He mentioned Germany wants to advertise its tourism choices extra actively in India.
He additionally mentioned the rising Indian diaspora in Germany is contributing to journey by visits by members of the family and pals, whereas stressing that ‘the potential is just not exhausted.’
Responding to a query on whether or not geopolitical tensions and altering journey preferences in the direction of locations corresponding to Japan and South Korea have been affecting tourism to Germany, Ackermann mentioned Indian vacationer arrivals proceed to rise.
‘Basically there may be an upward development in tourism, typically talking, in Germany, and I feel you see that there’s a rise within the numbers of Indian vacationers,’ he mentioned.
The Ambassador mentioned Indian travellers have advanced considerably over the previous 15 years, with many now preferring nature, trekking, outside actions and personalised journey experiences over typical sightseeing.
He added that whereas affordability and altering journey developments affect vacation spot decisions, Germany stays well-positioned to draw guests in search of cultural and nature-based experiences.
He additionally reiterated Germany’s efforts to draw extra Indian vacationers by showcasing its cultural heritage and pure sights whereas strengthening people-to-people ties between the 2 international locations.
Romit Theophilus, Director of the German National Tourist Office, advised ANI that Germany is concentrating on a couple of million in a single day stays by Indian guests, equal to only over three lakh vacationers.
Theophilus mentioned Germany is selling tourism in India by theme-based campaigns specializing in metropolis experiences, culinary tourism, honeymoons and vacation spot weddings.
‘Our objective is to recover from 1,000,000 in a single day stays into Germany. Currently that represents shut to only over three lakh vacationers by way of numbers,’ he mentioned.
He mentioned Indian leisure travellers spend a median of 9 nights in Germany and greater than 3,000 euros per journey, with a median each day expenditure of round 350 euros, together with lodging, meals and transport.
Theophilus expressed hope that stronger India-Germany financial ties, together with the proposed India-EU FTA, would additional enhance tourism. He added that greater than three lakh Indians at the moment reside in Germany, together with college students, professionals and their households, supporting journey between the 2 international locations. (ANI)