[2018-03-27] Germany’s Tourism Board Accepts Bitcoin Payments

[Terraformer]

The German National Tourism Board has announced that it accepts cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin for its services. The organization promotes German travel destinations with offices in 32 countries around the world. GNTB also intends to implement blockchain technologies in its finances. “We want to be a global innovation driver in the tourism industry,” its chairperson recently stated.  

Accepting Bitcoin to Drive Innovation

Services offered by the German National Tourism Board (GNTB) can now be paid in cryptocurrency. The organization which promotes Germany as a travel destination accepts bitcoin payments from March this year, according to a press release. It also announced “medium-term” plans to test blockchain technologies in the processing of its international financial transactions.

“Within our digitization strategy, we are constantly examining the latest technologies and considering their application in our organization,” said GNTB‘s Chair Petra Hedorfer. “By accepting cryptocurrencies as means of payment and with the possible implementation of the blockchain technology in our finances, we want to position ourselves as an innovation driver in the tourism industry,” she added.

The blockchain technology offers “interesting perspectives” in regards to the speed, transparency and security of financial transfers, the Board also notes. The announcement recognizes the “potential for tremendous improvements and savings” in international transactions.

Promoting the Bundesrepublik

For over six decades, the German National Tourism Board has been working to promote internationally travel opportunities in the the Federal Republic. It is constantly developing new marketing strategies and concepts based on specific themes, events and attractions. These are implemented under the “Destination Germany” brand that has been introduced on multiple markets around the globe.

GNTB says it is actively involved in efforts to optimize the marketing activities of its partners – German travel companies, commerce and trade associations. It also participates in sales activities in immerging and growing markets in order to increase the volume of tourist traffic and boost foreign currency receipts.

The Board is attempting to position Germany as a diverse and attractive travel destination, but also strengthen the country’s profile as a business location. To achieve that it offers an array of services in cooperation with German businesses – from transport and accommodation, to shopping opportunities and tourist attractions.

The German National Tourism Board was founded by the Bundestag. It represents the country on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy. GNTB is headquartered in Frankfurt am Main and maintains offices in 32 countries around the world.

Leading in Adoption

Authorities in the major European economy have taken a relatively soft approach towards cryptocurrencies. Recently, Germany’s Federal Ministry of Finance announced that bitcoin should not be taxed when exchanged and used as means of payment. Its clarification notice effectively recognizes the most popular crypto as a currency. Bafin, Germany’s financial regulator, has advised investors in initial coin offerings to refer to regulations applicable to traditional financial instruments and comply with current requirements.

Decisions like these have created favorable conditions for bitcoin adoption in the country. Last year Germany’s largest food delivery portal, Lieferando.de, announced it had started accepting bitcoin payments, as news.Bitcoin.com reported. The company is owned by Takeaway.com BV which operates numerous online delivery services across Europe. This month German crypto media announced that Lieferando’s customers can now pay their orders in bitcoin cash, as well.

https://news.bitcoin.com/germanys-tourism-board-accepts-bitcoin-payments/

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[jamids]

While some countries are unfavorable about bitcoin and cryptocurrency, Germany is moving forward and accepting it just like Japan. Sooner or later , other countries would follow what these countries have done. I also observed that some small countries are more welcoming done than big countries do maybe because it is easier to monitor the finances of people in small countries than big countries and rules are easily implemented when there are less people.

[Alex077]

The German National Tourism Board has announced that it accepts cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin for its services. The organization promotes German travel destinations with offices in 32 countries around the world. GNTB also intends to implement blockchain technologies in its finances. “We want to be a global innovation driver in the tourism industry,” its chairperson recently stated.  


https://news.bitcoin.com/germanys-tourism-board-accepts-bitcoin-payments/

Exciting news for all crypto-currency enthusiasts. Germany is the leading country in the European Union, and there is no doubt that other European countries will follow suit. The tourism sector brings quite a large income, and I believe the integration of bitcoins into this system will benefit the crypto-currencies everywhere.

[sindikat]

The German National Tourism Board has announced that it accepts cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin for its services. The organization promotes German travel destinations with offices in 32 countries around the world. GNTB also intends to implement blockchain technologies in its finances. “We want to be a global innovation driver in the tourism industry,” its chairperson recently stated.  


https://news.bitcoin.com/germanys-tourism-board-accepts-bitcoin-payments/

Exciting news for all crypto-currency enthusiasts. Germany is the leading country in the European Union, and there is no doubt that other European countries will follow suit. The tourism sector brings quite a large income, and I believe the integration of bitcoins into this system will benefit the crypto-currencies everywhere.

Germany's tourism sector is not fundamental. Germany's economy depends on industrial production. I think that the tourism industry is experiencing big problems and accepting bitcoins is an attempt to save it. I want to see the times when any goods in the store can be bought for bitcoins. Then we can talk about some results.

[Irvine Scottish]

Great news. Fact that this board started to accept bitcoin will drive the business and positevly influence the ecosystem in genereal =)

[Kloosterboer]

Cryptos are already very deep in real life and I love to hear news about it. Great!

[gabbie2010]

This is a very exciting news kudos to the German Tourist Board for pioneering the acceptance of bitcoin, I belief other EU countries will follow suit and gradually bitcoin adoption will cut across all the nook and cranny of EU and all these will culminates to positive  FUDs which will promptly affect the price of bitcoin.

[orions.belt19]

The German National Tourism Board has announced that it accepts cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin for its services. The organization promotes German travel destinations with offices in 32 countries around the world. GNTB also intends to implement blockchain technologies in its finances. “We want to be a global innovation driver in the tourism industry,” its chairperson recently stated.  


https://news.bitcoin.com/germanys-tourism-board-accepts-bitcoin-payments/

Exciting news for all crypto-currency enthusiasts. Germany is the leading country in the European Union, and there is no doubt that other European countries will follow suit. The tourism sector brings quite a large income, and I believe the integration of bitcoins into this system will benefit the crypto-currencies everywhere.

Germany's tourism sector is not fundamental. Germany's economy depends on industrial production. I think that the tourism industry is experiencing big problems and accepting bitcoins is an attempt to save it. I want to see the times when any goods in the store can be bought for bitcoins. Then we can talk about some results.

Even while Germany's tourism sector maybe not as fundamental to their economy, it's going to attract a lot of attention especially for the crypto enthusiasts. Perhaps if this goes well, Germany will choose to adopt crypto in other sectors as well. It's already a big step for their tourism board to adopt crypto despite the risks. Most are reluctant because it's unstable and decentralized.

[seoincorporation]

It is a matter of fact: if Germany accepts BTC, other countries of Europe will follow its lead, for it is the economic heart of the whole European Union, they rule the economy of many countries, as Spain, Italy, Greece or Portugal...
So that's a great new. If Germany chooses to trust crypto, many will follow!!!

[richardsNY]

Let's first see how the initial stage will play out, because expecting too much to happen based on this development alone isn't enough. Accepting Bitcoin is one thing, making people spend their coins is something completely different. And the blockchain implementation they are talking about has not much to do with our current crypto currencies, so that won't really help this market forward. The blockchains they are talking about are centralized and may even be rewritable, which doesn't stimulate decentralization at all, but that's likely not what they are striving for, and thus not really a problem. Overall, it's a decent development, but nothing really more than that....

[aoluain]

its good news for sure but I have mixed feelings on this.

Firstly we heard recently that the G20 are not looking to introduce
regulation on crypto at the moment bus as soon as it starts to get more
mainstream adoption they are going to look at regulation especially
if it threatens FIAT in some way and you can be damned sure
Germany will be leading it.

Secondly im not so sure in this current market climate that there will
be much spending happening as more people holding losses will either
continue to hold or cash out for fear of loosing more.

Its a tricky situation we find ourselves in for the last number of weeks.