German Ambassador Philipp Ackermann said the proposed India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) will be a ‘game changer’ for Germany-India economic relations. This will promote trade, investment and travel, which will also increase tourism in both the countries.
New Delhi [भारत]July 28 (ANI): German Ambassador Philipp Ackermann on Tuesday said the proposed India-European Union (EU) free trade agreement (FTA) will prove to be a “game changer” for economic ties between Germany and India by boosting trade, investment and travel.
FTA a ‘game changer’
Responding to a question from ANI on what impact the proposed India-EU FTA would have, Ackermann said, “It will be a game changer in many ways. It will lead to more German investment in India and perhaps more Indian investment in Germany. Reducing tariffs and other barriers between Europe and India will activate trade and investment in these markets.” He spoke to ANI on the sidelines of ‘The Travel Destination Germany Press Conference 2026’ in the national capital, which was organized to promote Germany as a tourist destination for Indian travelers.
Expressing optimism over the proposed agreement, the Ambassador said, “I am very optimistic that when we implement it in the first half of next year, we will see a change in the coming years in terms of activities, travel, and I am sure it will also increase the number of visitors on both sides.”
Indian tourism prospects in Germany
On tourism, Ackermann said Germany is seeing increasing interest from Indian travellers, but believes there is still a lot of untapped potential. He said Germany needs to more actively promote its tourism offers in India. He also said that the growing Indian diaspora in Germany is contributing to travel through visits by family members and friends, while also emphasizing that “the potential is not exhausted yet.”
On whether geopolitical tensions and changing travel preferences towards destinations like Japan and South Korea are affecting German tourism, Ackermann said Indian tourist arrivals have been steadily increasing. “Generally there is an upward trend in tourism in Germany, and I think you see that the number of Indian tourists has increased,” he said.
The preferences of Indian tourists are changing
The Ambassador said Indian travelers have changed significantly over the last 15 years, with many now preferring nature, trekking, outdoor activities and personalized travel experiences rather than traditional sightseeing. He said that although affordability and changing travel trends influence destination choices, Germany is well-positioned to attract visitors seeking cultural and nature-based experiences. He also reiterated Germany’s efforts to attract more Indian tourists by showcasing its cultural heritage and natural attractions while strengthening people-to-people ties between the two countries.
aim of the german tourism office
Romit Theophilus, director of the German National Tourist Office, told ANI that Germany is targeting over one million nights of stay by Indian visitors, which equates to just over three lakh tourists. Theophilus said Germany is promoting tourism in India through theme-based campaigns focusing on city experiences, culinary tourism, honeymoons and destination weddings.
“Our target is to achieve more than one million overnight stays in Germany. Currently, this represents just over three million tourists in numbers,” he said.
He said Indian leisure travelers spend an average of nine nights in Germany and spend more than 3,000 euros per trip, with an average daily expenditure of around 350 euros including accommodation, food and transport. Theophilus expressed hope that the strong India-Germany economic ties, including the proposed India-EU FTA, will further boost tourism. He said more than three lakh Indians currently live in Germany, including students, professionals and their families, who support travel between the two countries. (ANI)
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