In 2006, it was „a time to make friends“ on the occasion of the Men’s football world championship in Germany, bringing with it an improved image for the country as a tourism location. Starting from June 26, 2011, things will get busy in Germany once again: The Germans are to host the Women’s football world championship for the first time. The tourism and sports boards were filled in on the state of the preparations in a hearing of experts. Among them was director of organizations Steffi Jones, who hopes for a continuation of the „we sentiment“ among exalted fans in 2011. However, they do not want to be a carbon copy of 2006, but rather create their own history, accentuated with a female exclamation point.

Footballers from around the world will compete for the world championship in nine stadiums. Director of the tourism board Marlene Mortler allowed herself to be carried along by the exaltation among the invited guests. „Jones is a great representative and president for the world cup“, the politician belonging to CSU party judged. Mortler further emphasized her hopes for well-filled stadiums: „Ultimately, it is the fans that make the football match what it is.“ The tourism professional expressed optimism in the Germans’ standings in both, sports and tourism during the 2011 world championship. „Germany is rich in diverse attractions and knows to score with a good price-performance ratio“, said the federal commissioner. She adds that this has been making rounds across the globe not only since the 2006 football world championship.

Photo: Joint conference of the sports board and the board for tourism of the German Bundestag. Shown here are the boards’ chairpersons, Marlene Mortler CSU (left) and Peter Danckert SPD (right), together with the president of the DFB organization committee, Steffi Jones (center).