If everything goes according to plan, Barbados stands to benefit from increased airlift out of Germany, following successful talks with Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Richard Sealy, and the second largest tour operator in Germany, Der Touristic.

He made this disclosure during an interview with the Barbados Government Information Service to give an update on his recent visits to Europe and North America.

The minister said he had very good meetings with Der Touristic which presently operated a twice weekly flight on Condor, with the view to increase the frequency of those flights to ensure continued growth out of Germany.

Mr. Sealy said: ???Germany is a country with a population of 80 million people and 77 million Germans spend at least one night a year outside of the country???It is the strongest economy in Europe. It is the most populous country in Europe and it is good business for us [Barbados] to get. The little bit of German business that we have been getting over the years, [is important] they [German tourists] tend to stay long and the spend is usually quite good???.???

The Tourism Minister also alluded to the start-up of a direct service from Hamburg by the world???s largest tour operator TUI. This service, he said, would commence during winter and he described it as an ???excellent idea???.

??????Having a flight from Frankfurt and Hamburg is a very good thing in terms of getting incremental business. We would also like to get a flight out of Munich or Dusseldorf ???So, we really see this German market as a case where it is ???low hanging fruit???; while at the same time, it is also developmental. There is a tremendous up-side where German business is concerned and that trip, I thought, was very useful and one that would yield some results,??? Mr. Sealy underlined.

He also disclosed that discussions will be held with officials of Air France in September with the hope of commencing a thrice-weekly service to Barbados.

???Even though France has had some economic challenges, they are bouncing back and you cannot ignore the second largest player. It is a country that has been war-tested over the centuries and, therefore, we have to look and see what we can do to get that business,??? Mr. Sealy emphasised.

julie.carrington@barbados.gov.bb

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