Frankfurt am MainMay 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Following the conclusion of the 52nd Germany Travel Mart™ (GTM), the German National Tourist Board (GNTB) gave a positive assessment of the event. This year’s trade fair took place from April 19 to 21, 2026, in Oberhausen. Two hundred certified buyers from the international tourism industry completed approximately 4,500 business meetings with 165 tourism companies and organizations via the GNTB’s online booking system.
An on-site survey showed that 94% of participants were satisfied or very satisfied with this year’s GTM. Ninety-eight percent of attendees successfully established new business partnerships, and 85% indicated they would continue to participate in future GTMs.
The 2026 Germany Travel Mart was hosted by the Oberhausen Economic and Tourism Promotion Agency (OWT). Lufthansa and Sixt served as premium partners, supporting the smooth execution of the event.
At the closing ceremony, Petra Hedorfer, Chairwoman of the Board of the German National Tourist Board, handed over the symbolic GTM hosting trophy to the city of Bremerhaven. This harbor city will host the 53rd Germany Travel Mart from May 29 to June 2, 2027.
Handover Ceremony of the 2027 Germany Travel Mart Trophy
From left to right: Julia Grundmann – Head of International Markets, SME Cooperation & Tourism at GNTB; Michael Gerber – Head of Erlebnis Bremerhaven; Petra Hedorfer – Chairwoman of the Board of the German National Tourist Board; Rainer Suhr – Head of Tourism & Marketing at Oberhausen Economic and Tourism Promotion Agency
Petra Hedorfer, Chairwoman of the Board of the German National Tourist Board, stated: “Especially in the current tense geopolitical situation, GTM has once again proven its value as a powerful platform for facilitating successful business partnerships in our highly globally interconnected industry. This was also clearly reflected in the numerous exchanges with representatives from the international tourism sector across more than 30 countries.”
“I would like to thank the Oberhausen Economic and Tourism Promotion Agency for their professional organization of this year’s Germany Travel Mart. Through a diverse range of supporting events, we vividly showcased to international guests the dynamic transformation of the Ruhr region into a destination rich in cultural appeal and tourism potential. I am confident that Bremerhaven will likewise create an outstanding platform next year to present the strength and innovation of German tourism to international buyers.”
Michael Gerber, Head of Erlebnis Bremerhaven, said: “Hosting the Germany Travel Mart in Bremerhaven in 2027, coinciding with the city’s 200th anniversary, is both an honor and a recognition of our work. Hosting the GTM further underscores Bremerhaven’s significant role in German tourism. We are very much looking forward to GTM 2027. As the largest city on Germany’s North Sea coast, we are an attractive urban destination and a magnet for tourists vacationing on the North Sea—from the German Emigration Center, to the Klimahaus Bremerhaven, to the German Maritime Museum and the smallest scientifically managed zoo in Europe, the Zoo am Meer.”
Andreas Hugle, Head of Destination Development at Erlebnis Bremerhaven, added: “With events like the Sail Bremerhaven, we regularly host major international gatherings—and with the Germany Travel Mart, the world will once again converge here. This opportunity provides an additional boost for our future tourism development.”