London, 7 April 2009 - Come and join us for a unique experience of contemporary history in the middle of Europe. In 2009, Germany is celebrating the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. The German National Tourist Office (GNTO) is marking this monumental event with its "Post-Wall Germany" taxi campaign, launched together with Lufthansa and the German Embassy.
200 London cabs featuring some of the most iconic murals from Berlin's East Side Gallery including the famous kiss between Leonid Brezhnev and Erich Honecker will for four weeks draw attention to Germany as a vibrant and modern travel destination with the slogan "Post-Wall Germany. 20 years on. Have you come over yet?". The campaign was launched today at the Imperial War Museum London where an original piece of the Berlin Wall is on display outside the museum's building.
"Our British friends love visiting Berlin but now we challenge them to explore and experience the fascinating sights of Post-Wall Germany also. I'm thoroughly excited that so many British tour operators are offering trips to delightful destinations such as Potsdam, Leipzig & Dresden in 2009", says Jeanette Schuchmann, Acting Director of the German National Tourist Office UK & Ireland.
With 56.5 million international overnight stays in 2008 and a plus of 3.2 percent compared to the year before, Germany managed to fight the negative trend in global and European tourism as a destination providing value for money for its visitors. This year, the numerous events, exhibitions and celebrations around the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Wall in Berlin, Leipzig, Dresden and other related areas add to the wide variety of reasons to discover Germany.
The GNTO will also integrate its new text message number 60707 in the "Post-Wall Germany" taxi campaign offering consumers the opportunity to request information and brochures via their mobile phones upon texting "Wall". Callers will receive a quick overview of what is on offer on the theme "20 years fall of the Wall" and other topics such as "Active Holidays". They will then be given information on the GNTO website, can request brochures or download free wallpaper.
