This Week >> 1/8/2009
This week on Let's Travel Radio we go to Berlin, the capital city of the Federal Republic of Germany. Our guests include Karen Schmidt, Director of Public Relations for Berlin in the US and her boss, Berkhardt Kieker, recently appointed Director of Marketing for the city of Berlin and headquartered there. They discuss the growing popularity of Berlin as a mecca for tourism on this the 20th anniversary of the fall of th Berlin Wall. Discover this city of Art, Music, Food, Fashion and Fun. Packages for the sophisticated traveler, large groups, and families on a budget are available here.
For more information on Berlin, check out the official website of the Berlin Tourism Organization
Where We'll Be Exploring
Berlin, Germany
Berlin is the capital city and one of sixteen states of Germany. With a population of 3.4 million within its city limits, Berlin is the country's largest city. It is the second most populous city and the ninth most populous urban area in the European Union. Located in northeastern Germany, it is the center of the Berlin-Brandenburg metropolitan area, comprising 5 million people from over 190 nations.
Berlin is a major center of culture, politics, media, and science in Europe. Its economy is primarily based on the service sector, encompassing a diverse range of creative industries, media corporations, environmental services, congress and convention venues. The city serves as a continental hub for air and rail transport, and is one of the most visited tourist destination in the EU. Other industries include traffic engineering, optoelectronics, information technology, vehicle manufacturing, biomedical engineering, and biotechnology.
The metropolis is home to world-renowned universities, research institutes, sporting events, orchestras, museums and personalities. Berlin's urban landscape and historical legacy has made it a popular setting for international film productions. The city is recognized for its festivals, diverse architecture, nightlife, contemporary arts and a high quality of living. Berlin has evolved into a global focal point for young individuals and artists attracted by a liberal lifestyle and modern zeitgeist.
Guests
Berlin Tourism Marketing: Berlin, Germany
Burkhard Kieker is the incoming president and CEO of Berlin Tourism Marketing GmbH, which markets the German capital worldwide as a tourism and meetings destination. After studying journalism in Munich, Germany, Kieker started his career as China correspondent and then political reporter for the prestigious, weekly newpaper, “Die Zeit”. In 1989 he became executive council and press speaker for Lufthansa German Airlines, followed by an appointment as economy editor at Deutsche Welle TV in Berlin. From 1997 until 2008, Kieker worked for Berlin Brandenburg International Airports, first as spokesman for special projects, and until recently, as Director for Marketing and Communications. In this position, he was in charge of the acquisition and service of airlines from over 60 countries, as well as the worldwide marketing of Berlin Brandenburg International Airport.
Berlin Tourism Marketing North America: Los Angeles
Kirsten Schmidt is Director of Public Relations for Berlin Tourism Marketing North America. From the company’s Los Angeles office, she serves as the liaison between Berlin Tourism Marketing in Berlin, and the U.S. and Canadian media. Schmidt graduated from Giessen University in Germany with degrees in English, Spanish, and business administration, and later earned a public relations designation from the University of California, Los Angeles. Following her passion for travel, she began her career as a flight attendant for Lufthansa German Airlines. In 1989 she moved to Los Angeles, where she resumed her work for Lufthansa in the airline’s local sales promotions department. In 1996, she joined the marketing team of the German National Tourist Office in Los Angeles, and was eventually promoted to serve as deputy director.