Urban Tourism in Hamburg and the World Cup

Content

1. Introduction

2. Urban Tourism

3. Hamburg – Musical metropolis, City of Sports and “Gateway to the world”
3.1. General facts
3.2. Hamburg’s attractions

4. Sporting events in Urban Tourism

5. The FIFA World Cup 2006 as a major sporting event In Hamburg

6. Conclusion

7. Sources

1. Introduction

The World Tourism Organisation defines the word “Tourist” as someone who moves away from home on a temporary or short term basis for at least 24 hours, weather travelling in his own country or abroad^[1]. But many argue, that day trippers should be included, as high quality short term city trips have a great potential in the future. There is an obvious tendency among travellers of the 21st century to experience more in fewer days, as reflected in the trend for active short holiday trips, mainly to large cities. They offer an experience orientated connection of culture, events, shopping and catering. Major events are very important to attract tourists to come to a city. FIFA World Cup 2006 is a great chance for German metropolis’ to gain more international prestige. All major cities are getting prepared for millions of guests from all around the world, who come to support their team or just to enjoy the atmosphere of the event.

This paper will focus on the tourism of Germany’s fastest growing and changing city at the river “Elbe”: Hamburg. It will give an overview on what exactly this harbour city has to offer and what influence FIFA World Cup 2006 has. It reflects the motivation for coming to the city and the touristy institution they are going to sightsee.

2. Urban Tourism

Since its renewed interest in the 1980’s, Urban Tourism (defined as a set of tourist resources or activities located in towns and cities and offered to visitors from elsewhere^[2]) is a major tourist destination across the world. As already mentioned, the fact that people are taking shorter holiday, plus the general increase of Mobility, makes urban tourism a big market. City Tourism can be seen as a political instrument, as it combines the competitive supply able to meet visitors’ expectations with the positive development of a city and the well being of their residents^[3].

A basic question to be asked is why people visit cities. Primary travel motivations could be business, including conferences and exhibitions, visiting friends and relatives, other personal reasons or simply pleasure^[4]. City visitors look for excitement, something unique and interesting, popular, entertaining and cultural. A combination of all these features is what a city should be able to offer to attract guests. A survey from the Denver Convention and Visitor Bureau showed that the urban tourist wants a city to be interesting and unique in the first place (lots to sightsee, unique vacation experience), secondly entertaining (nightlife, shopping, music, arts and theatre, festival and events), thirdly culturally interesting and attractive (architecture, history, popular landmarks, interesting locals, different culture and traditions) and last but not least rich in culinary variety (sophisticated restaurants, unique cooking, first class hotels). It should also have a good family atmosphere and be popular.

Taking all the above mentioned factors into account, Hamburg has a lot to offer and this is why it is one of the most attractive cities for tourism in Germany.

3. Hamburg – Musical metropolis, City of Sports and “gateway to the world”

3.1 General facts

Hamburg has a population of 1, 7 Million and maintains a leading position for urban tourism in Germany. Within a comparison of the biggest cities in Germany, Hamburg is on third place, as to accommodations behind Berlin and Munich, with 18,6 Million stays in 2005^[5], either in hotels or private (annual growth rate of 8,2%)^[6]. Furthermore Hamburg hosts 105, 5 Million day guests in 2005. A total of 124, 1 Million stayover’s (21 % guests from abroad) make a gross turnover of 5, 72 Billion Euro. This means Hamburg welcomes 340 000 guests every day, which make a gross turnover of 15, 7 Million Euro^[7]. In addition the tourism sector secures 140 000 jobs (full-time and part-time), which is an increase of 8 percent compared to 2004.^[8]

Hamburg Tourism GmbH announces as well, that the increase of 7, 3 percent in the group of day tourists, which constitutes the best growth rate of the Top 12 German cities, has many reasons:

One the one hand, special events like visits of luxury cruise liners like “Queen Mary II” and more recently “Freedom of the seas” attract visitors to come to the harbour of Hamburg. On the other hand major day arrangements, like concerts, musicals or sporting events and a variety of spirited markets and trade fairs raises visitor figures.

Hamburg explored the important market sector “Tourism” very successfully. The city attracts all kinds of target groups in all ages throughout the year and offers an adequate range of products for every taste. It barely has to struggle with seasonality, as shown in table 1. This table is an indicator for the market success, created by Hamburg Tourism GmbH and the “Sparkassen Tourismusbarometer”. This “Touristische Wetterstation” reflects attendances of 34 tourism relevant facilities in

Hamburg. These touristy institutions welcomed 1, 2 Million guests in 2005 and fixed Hamburg’s position to be an all-season destination (in comparison to 2004).

Table 1:

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And there is more to come with the world cup 2006, where Hamburg harbours four games in the group phase and one quarter final match. 200.000 international guests are expected, which hold tickets and million of day guests are expected to visit Hamburg during the World Cup, abiding by the motto “A time to make friends”.

3.2 Hamburg’s attractions

As already mentioned a city is as attractive as its attractions. Thus its touristy institutions have to be popular and exciting to visitors. Hamburg has a 1.200 year old tradition as a harbour city and is situation on the Elbe and Alster rivers (8% of its total area is covered by water). Statisticians claim, that the city has more bridges than Venice, making up a beautiful scenery, which is appreciated by visitors from all over the world. Furthermore as a key commercial hub, a media and culture centre and an

International harbour, this city combines old tradition with a typical hanseatic flair, loved by its guest. The following pages will give a short overview about the main offerings of the ever growing city, according to the town’s motto: “Hamburg erleben”!

First of all the museums: A museum is defined as a permanent establishment built in public interest to conserve, study, exploit and exhibit for the pleasure and education of the public objects of cultural value^[9]. Hamburg has a variety of interesting museums, such as traditional exhibition halls, like Hamburger Kunsthalle, which offers both old and modern forms of art. Then Museum of Arts and Crafts, as one of the most important museums for applied arts in Europe and Deichtorhallen, exhibiting 20th century art. Newer attractions include the Hamburg Dungeon, oriented at the London Dungeon or the Dialog in the Dark, where visitors discover the world of visually handicapped people. In total Hamburg offers close to 40 museums and exhibition halls. This diversity secures a rising visitor rate, as you can see in figure 2. An attractive and modern range of products forms the key to success in this sector.

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^[1] C.M.Law, „Urban Tourism, Attracting visitors to large cities“, Mansell, 1993

^[2] http://www.culture-routes.lu/picture/glossaire_list.php3, 21.06.2006

^[3] http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/services/tourism/tourism-publications/documents/1999_1530_EN.pdf, 21.06.2006

^[4] Acc. „Classification of travellers“ after Chadwick, 1987

^[5] Hamburg Tourismus GmbH, eigene Berechnungen, dwif 2006

^[6] http://www.hamburg-tourism.de/Magic_Cities.1287.0.html?, 20.06.2006

^[7] Hamburg Tourismus GmbH, eigene Berechnungen, dwif 2006

^[8] http://www.hamburg-tourismus.de/fileadmin/files/B2B/Presse/News/Texte/PM_060531_Tagesg_ste_2005.pdf, 21.06.2006

^[9] Acc. International Council of Museums, Hudson, 1975