Press release: Grand Metropolitan Hotels and Meissen Porcelain Manufactory become members of the GNTB

Frankfurt am Main, 26 June 2024 – The German National Tourist Board (GNTB) is welcoming two more companies as members with effect from 1 July 2024: Grand Metropolitan Hotels and Meissen Porcelain Manufactory (Staatliche Porzellan-Manufaktur Meissen GmbH). At its 105th meeting, the GNTB's Board of Directors unanimously approved the two companies' application for membership.

The GNTB now has a total of 63 members, including the tourism marketing organisations of the 16 German federal states, 32 companies and 15 corporations, associations and marketing organisations. In addition, 17 sponsors support the GNTB's global sales and marketing network.

Petra Hedorfer, Chairwoman of the GNTB Executive Board, explains: "Our new members impressively represent Germany's appeal as a quality holiday destination in the face of international competition. Grand Metropolitan Hotels currently manages 15 hotels in Germany that stand for exclusive recreational opportunities and enjoyment in attractive holiday regions. The Meissen Porcelain Manufactory is a cultural asset from Saxony that has been coveted by tourists from all over the world for generations as a symbol of master craftsmanship 'made in Germany'. We look forward to further raising the profile of Germany as a travel destination with our new partners."

Walter Neumann, CEO Grand Metropolitan Hotels, continues: "We want to further expand our activities in Germany by establishing a large hotel alliance, founding a wine club with branches in the German hotels and launching a new spa concept. Membership of the GNTB should help us to successfully market these projects."

Dr Tillmann Blaschke, Managing Director of Meissen Porcelain Manufactory, adds: "The GNTB is promoting itself to discerning and quality-conscious travellers to Germany in a large number of countries. On the one hand, they are particularly important to us as visitors and customers in Germany, but on the other hand, this work helps us to bring the cultural heritage of Meissen porcelain to these countries and to develop these markets more deeply. Membership of the GNTB is therefore extremely valuable in many respects."

About Grand Metropolitan Hotels
Grand Metropolitan Hotels – founded in 2022 – is a Zurich-based hotel services company that currently has around 80 hotels in Europe with around 5,300 rooms as well as over 100 restaurants, 84 bars and 32 spas and 230 hotels in Africa under contract. The business pillars include management and lease agreements, affiliate and franchise models.

The company's portfolio includes well-known brands such as the Grand Metropolitan Hotel Collection, Castlewood Hotels and Resorts, the Swiss Hospitality Collection, the African Heritage Hotel Collection, Martinez Grand Hotels and Seven Pines Hotels by Hyatt.

About the Meissen Porcelain Manufactory
Since its foundation in 1710, the Meissen Porcelain Manufactory has stood for the highest quality porcelain and exceptional craftsmanship. Its historical signet, the blue crossed swords, stands for these attributes worldwide.

In combination with the unique craftsmanship that has been preserved to this day, filigree figurines, large-scale sculptures, exquisite services and unique works of art of particular value are created in Meissen's Triebischtal, which fulfil the highest demands for exclusivity and individuality.