GNTB knowledge platform on the German tourism industry’s open data project

Frankfurt am Main, 18 November 2019 – The Open Data project being implemented by the German tourism industry under the leadership of the German National Tourist Board (GNTB) is receiving a further boost. As of now, a knowledge platform is available online at www.open-data-germany.org, which is open to all potential partners and offers support on numerous questions relating to Open Data.

Thomas Bareiß MdB, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy and Federal Government Commissioner for Tourism, explains: “In our key issues paper on the National Tourism Strategy, we explicitly point out the importance of advancing digitalisation for internationally competitive tourism. We are certain that the Open Data project is an important step in ensuring that Germany as a tourism location maintains its opportunity to participate in future global tourism development.”

Petra Hedorfer, Chairwoman of the GNTB’s Executive Board, continues: “In order to efficiently use the possibilities of digital technologies – such as artificial intelligence – in tourism marketing, data from the different silos must be brought together and made findable and readable in a uniform structure. This is the goal of our national Open Data/Knowledge Graph project. It is now important that as many partners as possible – including smaller companies and regional organisations – become actively involved in the project. The knowledge platform will help to comprehensively inform interested parties on the topic of Open Data and thereby attract further partners.”

Knowledge transfer via knowledge platform for partners and interested parties

To set up the knowledge platform, the GNTB has organised the knowledge collected so far within the project and prepared it in a way that is easy to understand for the general public. The information offered includes an introductory video and explains all the technical terms relating to the topic of Open Data. Concrete recommendations for action and assistance are intended to make it easier for small and medium-sized enterprises and organisations in particular to enter the world of Open Data in practice. In addition to FAQ’s and technical information, this also includes sample proposals for user and framework agreements. The knowledge platform is designed as a breathing system, which is also continuously expanded through the documentation of successful best practice examples, information on the Open Data project and further specialist articles.

About the GNTB

The German National Tourist Board (GNTB) is Germany’s national “tourist board” with headquarters in Frankfurt am Main. It represents Destination Germany on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) and is funded by the latter on the basis of a resolution of the German Bundestag. The GNTB develops and communicates strategies and products to further enhance the positive image of German travel destinations abroad and promote tourism to Germany. To this end, it maintains 31 country offices worldwide.

For more information, please visit our online press center at www.germany.travel/presse.