Hanover Tourist Information

"Let's Talk About Hanover—That Should Be Harmless Enough" is a dissertation on the city's image by Dr. Vanessa Erstmann, which is now available as a 465-page book at the Hanover Tourist Information Office.

This academic paper is an abridged version of a dissertation that examines the tension between perception and reality and explains how Hannover's image has changed over the years.

For a long time, Hanover was considered a city with a rather negative reputation, ranging from boring to provincial. The book focuses primarily on the question of where this “gray mouse” image comes from and what measures the city and individual stakeholders have taken over time to improve the city’s image. In addition to successful promotional campaigns, it also highlights missed opportunities in the city’s image-building efforts during the 20th century.

The study’s comprehensive analyses and findings show that while the city’s image is better today than it was in the past, negative stereotypes persist, even though they do not reflect reality. Today, the capital of Lower Saxony impresses with a blend of vibrant culture, economic strength, and a high quality of life—factors that shape its modern image.

Dr. Vanessa Erstmann, whose dissertation focused extensively on the development of Hannover’s image, city promotion, and the role of stereotypes, combines scholarly depth with an accessible writing style and abundant illustrations.
As a result, the book is aimed not only at researchers but also at anyone interested in Hannover who would like to get to know the city from a new perspective.

The book is also available at the Hannover Tourist Information Office and is a valuable resource for anyone interested in the city’s fascinating development.

A Record Year for City Tours in Hanover

Public city tours in Hanover saw an impressive 45.2 percent increase in 2024 compared to the previous year. Crime-themed tours were particularly popular, followed by city walks and culinary tours.
Private tours for groups were also very popular and saw a significant increase of 7.4 percent. The top three spots were taken by city walks, guided tours of the Großer Garten, and city tours on the sightseeing bus.

You can find information about our city tours here.

You can also get more information about all city tours and booking options directly at the Hannover Tourist Information Office, located at Ernst-August-Platz 8.

Press contact:

Ela Windels | Hannover Marketing & Tourism, LLC

Vahrenwalder Straße 7 | 30165 Hannover | Phone: 0511/123490-26

presse@hannover-marketing.de