Eid al-Fitr - or the end of Ramadan - is set to begin around September 10 this year. Here’s how to sell an Eid break escape with a difference.
Germany: Best for culture lovers
Festival hop in Germany
Why go: At this time of year the festivals in Germany are in full swing and with Germany being such a fun loving and cultural nation you are guaranteed a good time.
Germany is embracing the Ramadan spirit with Berlin hosting a special Ramadan festival “Nächte des Ramadan” (Nights of Ramadan) from 13 August to 12 September where both Muslims and non-Muslims will be able to celebrate together.
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The cultural festival includes concerts, films, readings, dance and culinary delights from Morocco to Turkey and from Syria to China, which give an insight into different Muslim cultures.
TOP PICK: With Germany being such a perennial favourite among the GCC audience, this year its time to suggest a new destination to clients who might think they have ‘been there done that’.
Hannover is emerging as a stand-out Eid getaway. The city best known for hosting trade fairs has some fantastic attractions and is making a huge push towards targeting the Middle East market.
What’s on at Eid? During the Eid period, Hannover will be laying on a host of family festivals and free entertainment including the famous International Fireworks Festival on 18 September at the Herrenhausen Gardens.
This eye-popping pyrotechnical display, set to music is an unmissable spectacle.
Other events include the Herbfestival Herrenhausen, 10 - 12 September, an outdoor festival celebrating the best of autumn, featuring cooking demonstrations, markets, and entertainment, and TANZtheatre International, 1-11 September: featuring the world’s most exciting contemporary dance theatre groups.
According to Udo Sass, senior vice president, Aviation, Hannover Airport, for visitors who have not yet experienced Hannover, Eid is the perfect time to come to the city.
“Hannover is Germany’s best kept secret and makes for the perfect family destination either as a stand-alone destination, or due to the excellent connections of Hannover Airport to all major destinations in Europe, in combination with another German or European city,” he says.
WHO TO SELL TO: “Travel agents should sell this destination to Arab and Asian families, especially those already planning to visit Germany or Europe, but looking for a couple of days to visit somewhere new,” says Sass.
HOW TO SELL
How to get there: There are no direct flights from the Middle East to Hannover, but the city is extremely well connected by air, rail and autobahn to all major German and European cities, including Frankfurt, Munich, Berlin, Vienna, Zurich, Paris, London, Istanbul.
Where to stay: Kastens Hotel Luisenhof; Courtyard by Marriott Hannover Maschsee; Maritim Grand Hotel Hannover; Mercure Hotel Hannover Mitte
Sample packages: Al Rais Travel is offering a special ‘Hannover Fireworks Festival package’ which includes hotel accommodation for three nights, daily breakfast, airport transfers, Hannover city tour, entrance to the fireworks festival and a picnic package at the festival. +971 4 393 3333 / www.alrais.com
Visas: EU nationals do not need a visa. Nationals from most other countries need a Schengen Visa.
Useful link: www.germany-tourism.de
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