Tourism in Germany was gaining momentum in April this year. According to provisional figures provided by the Federal Statistical Office, the number of overnight stays in places of accommodation and at camping sites amounted to 28.2 million in April this year which is an increase by 7 % on April in 2008. This development is also due to the fact that this year Easter holidays fell on April whereas last year these fell on March. more…

Making phone calls while driving is inevitable for many free lances and skilled workmen given that clients demand their permanent availability. Those using their mobile phones and not having the appropriate free-speaking safety devices installed in their cars will be fined, if they are caught by the police. Fines vary in several countries. According to BITKOM, these fines are relatively moderate in Germany as compared with other European countries. more…

According to provisional data by the Federal Statistical Office, turnover generated by handicraft businesses in the year 2008 in Germany was up by 4.4% on that generated in 2007. At the same time the number of craftsmen fell by 0.9 %. From this growth benefited all kinds of handicraft businesses the operation of which is subject to permission by public authorities. Turnover grew most in the building and construction trade (+6.6 %). Growth in turnover was smallest in the field of motor vehicles with just 0.3 %. more…

Even though the current economic crisis has so far not affected the number of private consumer insolvencies, its effect on the number of business insolvencies has already been profound. Thus, according to the latest figures published by the Federal Statistical Office, the number of business insolvencies registered in the first quarter this year rose by 10 % on the first quarter last year. The overall number of insolvencies during this period increased by just 0.4%, given that the number of private insolvencies fell by 2.4%. more…

German metallurgical plants produced 1.18 million tons of pig iron and 2.17 million tons of crude steel in May 2009. This is a drop by 54.8 % and 47.8 % respectively as compared to May last year. Currently, however, there was a short term growth in output of pig iron and crude steel in May 2009 with production growing by 12.2% and 15.7% respectively on April. more…

German exports were down by 28.7 % in April 2009 on April last year. Never before since the year 1950 has the Federal Statistical Office reported such as landslide drop. Imports fell by 22.9% over the same period. The changes on March 2009 were 4.8 % and 5.8 %. more…

Many people buy clothes over the internet, even though it is impossible to touch the materials and tissues prior to purchase. Nevertheless, there are several reasons for buying clothes online such as saving of time and an extensive choice. About 12.4 million Germans have already bought clothes or sun glasses and belts over the internet. Online purchasing of clothes is particularly popular among women, according to BITKOM. more…

According to BITKOM, the market for downloads in Germany grew by another 16% in the first quarter of 2009 on the respective quarter last year. Music, games, videos, audio books and software from the internet have been more popular than ever before. More than 13 million times Germans loaded files from the internet down to their PCs. more…

Despite the current economic crisis Germany is still Europe’s most attractive place to invest in, given that Germany is able to tackle problems better than other countries, in the opinion of international managers. This was revealed in the brand new “European Attractiveness Survey” by the Ernst & Young accountancy and consulting firm. According to the study’s ranking, Germany is the most attractive place in Europe and the sixth attractive place worldwide. In the course of the study about 800 international decision makers were asked about their opinion on the attractiveness of the European economic block. In addition, more than 200 foreign businesses were in particular asked on Germany. more…

The share of women in leading positions in the private industry fell back to the level of five years ago in the year 2007 reaching 27%. The number of female executives in lower management and in expert positions is still relatively high. In middle and top management, however, male executives play the dominating role. Insufficient qualifications, however, are not the reason for this situation. It is rather the fact that women prefer typically female careers which offer less prospects of promotion. This is the finding of a new study by the German Institute on Economic Research (DIW) in Berlin. more…