Indian travellers fuel Germany's tourism rebound as leisure travel, longer stays, student visits rise

India is fast becoming one of the most influential markets for Germany’s inbound tourism, as a growing number of Indian travellers choose the country for both business and leisure. The latest data from the German National Tourist Board (GNTB) and industry stakeholders underlines this rising trend: in 2024, Germany recorded an 8.6% year-on-year surge in overnight stays by Indian tourists, reaching 897,841 nights. This increase of over 71,000 nights points not only to a higher volume of travel but also longer stays—Indian travellers spent an average of 9.6 nights in Germany in 2024, up from 9.3 nights in 2023.

 “This rise in travel demand is visible across our visa statistics,” says Georg Enzweiler, deputy chief of Mission at the German Embassy. “In the first three months of this year alone, visa applications surged by 90% compared to the same period last year.”

This growth is supported by a corresponding jump in air connectivity. Monthly flights between India and Germany rose from 241 in January 2019 to 309 scheduled for January 2025, a 28% increase that has helped ease access and support demand. The GNTB also reported a 15% rise in direct flights from India in the past year alone.

“Today, we operate 64 weekly flights connecting India to Europe, serving more cities across the country than in any other Asia Pacific nation. Our decision to launch the ground-breaking Lufthansa Allegris First Class product in the city of Bengaluru underscores India’s strategic importance to us. As we look to the future, we see incredible opportunity for continued growth in India,” the Lufthansa Group, which has a legacy of over six decades in India, said in a statement.

Romit Theophilus, director of Marketing & Sales Office – India at GNTB, adds that the recovery in Indian travel to Germany has reached 93% of pre-pandemic levels. He believes that tourism from India has not just rebounded but evolved. “What used to be a 75% business and 25% leisure split has shifted to nearly equal proportions. Last year, we saw 48% for vacation travellers, 41% for business, and 11% visiting friends and relatives,” Theophilus adds.

This shift is also being driven by India's growing outbound travel market. According to Skift India, outbound travel from India is set to grow 230% by 2027. Moreover, Indian travellers’ spending is rising four times faster than the global average. It shows that the strategic value of the Indian market for European destinations like Germany is immense. On average, Indian travellers spent €3,068 per trip to Germany in 2024, with per-night spending estimated at €320.

India is now Germany’s fourth-largest overseas source market after the U.S., China, and the UAE. Within Europe, Germany is the third most popular destination for Indian travellers, accounting for 10% of Indian trips to the continent. Bavaria (home to Munich), Baden-Württemberg (Black Forest region), Hessen (Frankfurt), and Berlin are among the most visited German states by Indians.

Repeat travel is another striking trend: 43% of Indian tourists have visited Germany multiple times. The demographic skew is also noteworthy—76% of Indian travellers to Germany are between 25 and 44 years old, and the number of Indian students is also growing—currently around 50,000—a cohort that aligns well with Germany’s need to engage younger visitors amid its ageing population.

Also, compared to neighbouring France or Switzerland, Germany offers more competitive pricing on accommodations—around one-third the cost of France and half that of Switzerland for similar hotel categories, especially outside trade fair seasons.

Apart from that, the country also has three targeted campaigns by the GNTB for Indian travellers, which include “Romantic Germany,” designed for honeymooners; “Cultureland Germany,” to show Germany’s rich artistic and historic heritage; and “Embrace German Nature,” which promotes sustainable and nature-focused travel experiences. To support this push, Germany’s tourism board has earmarked €2 million for India-focused marketing campaigns this year.