2005

In Sydney recently, CEO Berlin Tourismus Marketing, Hanns Peter Nerger revealed the latest figures from January this year show that the Australian market has grown 40.3 per cent in arrivals, and 43.4 per cent in overnight stays compared to last year when Berlin enjoyed an almost 50 per cent increase in visitor numbers and 36.5 per cent in overnights.

As Berlin looks back on its best year for tourism to date: 13.26 million overnight guests in 2004, the lively city can now hold claim to be Germany's favourite city destination as well as in the top three European city destinations, after London and Paris.

In addition to these guests, 90 million day-trippers visit year after year, as well as 28.5 million visitors who stay with friends and relatives.

Hotels Berlin
Kempinski Bristol Hotel Berlin ***** Known to Berliners as the "Kempi" the Kempinski Hotel Bristol is located on the city's most popular street, the Kurfurstendamm. The distinctive semi-circular building combines the classic with the modern, to provide a home for the finest traditions of hospitality.
Last Minute Hotels Berlin

Mr Nerger boasted that Berlin had “more hotel beds than the city of Manhattan“, and with an average rate of € 130, its rates are significantly lower compared with other European cities including London, Milan and Rome.

As the upcoming host for the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany Final, Berlin has prepared itself for the influx of tourists with more than 15 new hotels set to open this year, increasing bed capacity significantly to exceed 80,000.

Approximately 800,000 tickets have already been sold for some of the six World Cup games being held in the city, but Mr Nerger encourages those without access to stadium seats to still visit Berlin during this time as the whole city is expected to become a ‘party zone' with matches broadcasted on big screens for the duration of the event.