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March 2014


Five Wellness Stars for the Saarland Therme

According to own statement, the Wellness Stars quality seal stands for `independently approved quality in the wellness and health sectors`. Five stars are the highest category. Meanwhile, the Heilbäderverband Baden-Württemberg assigns the seal as an independent seal of approval to hotels, providers of medical wellness and spas throughout Germany and Europe. Economics Minister Rehlinger is pleased: `The Saarland Therme is a real highlight as such but also in the wider context of Saarland tourism.

Discovering Saarland in short trips

On this year´s ITB, the Tourismus Zentrale Saarland has built its marketing on the fact that more and more Germans split up their annual leave into short trips. So, the German State close to the French and Luxembourg border is promoted in particular as a destination for short trips. Although small in size, Saarland offers an enormous variety of touristic experiences: Wellness holidays at the Saarland Therme, family holidays at the Center Parcs Park Bostalsee, over 60 premium hiking trails, a 1,500 km network of biking routes, two big bathing lakes, urban multi-culti, an interesting and impressive museum landscape and industrial culture, rounded off by an inviting landscape, a varied nature and, last but not least, the `saarvoir vivre` and local cuisine which isrecognized as one of the best in Northern Europe. A very interesting variety of attractions ! Bookings: www.tourismus.saarland.de

Tourism in Saarland

With about 2.6 million overnight stays, 2013 was an absolute record year for the Saarland´s touristic industry, so Economics Minister Anke Rehlinger. Never before, the number had been higher. For the Minister, this is a proof that Saarland´s touristic strategy is successful. `If we concentrate our marketing activities on the region´s strongpoints, if we go on improving infrastructures and service quality, the touristic sector can continue to grow.`
According to the Saarland Statistical Office, the number of guests amounted to roughly 881,000 in 2013. In comparison to the year before, this is a growth rate of 12.8 per cent. And this despite very poor weather conditions until the month of June.

Positive perspectives for 2014

Minister Rehlinger pointed out that the top result in 2013 was achieved due to a combination of three factors: The opening of the Center Parcs Park Bostalsee in July led to a strong increase in overnight stays. Figures in the St.Wendel region went up by over 60 per cent. Furthermore, also the development of overnight stays of guests from abroad, e.g. The Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland and France, was positive. The number of Dutch tourists had more than doubled. Last but not least, also the Regionalverband Saarbrücken, home of the Saarland Therme, had registered a plus of 14.6 per cent, thus contributing much to the good overall result. In the Saarland capital alone, overnight stays at hotels, guesthouses and inns grew by 14.6 per cent. Both the Economics Minister and the Tourismus Zentrale see a positive trend for the present year, too.

ITB Berlin , the world´s leading travel trade show

The ITB is seen as an economic barometer. With 170,000 visitors, among these 113,000 trade visitors and about 11,000 represented companies from 180 countries, ITB Berlin is the leading B2B platform of global touristic offers. Despite its size, the ITB is clearly structured and enjoys worldwide media recognition.

» www.saarland-therme.de
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» www.strukturholding-leg.de