Hannover Marketing and Tourism GmbH (HMTG)

Germany's First GeoTour in the Hanover Region (March 12, 2014)

Starting today, Hannover Marketing und Tourismus GmbH (HMTG) and the Hannover Region are inviting explorers to join a modern treasure hunt themed “Musical ‘Ge(o)secrets.’” Germany’s first GeoTour spans 113 kilometers and connects seven cities and municipalities in the Hannover Region. During this digital scavenger hunt, participants can track down 17 audio caches, all of which are accessible to everyone. Further details about the tour are available at www.hannover.de/geoheimnisse and on www.geocaching.com, the international website for geocachers from around the world.

Gramophone — Secrets (and Mysteries) in the Hanover Region

Hanover/Garbsen/Gehrden/Laatzen/Langenhagen/Lehrte/Ronnenberg – “Treasures”—so-called caches—hunted down in one’s free time with the help of modern GPS devices: this hobby is becoming increasingly popular in the Hanover region as well. With the “Ge(o)heimnisse” project, Hannover Marketing und Tourismus GmbH and the Hannover Region are now blazing new trails for all geocachers: Germany’s first GeoTour, stretching 113 kilometers, connects seven cities and municipalities in the Hannover Region.

Starting today (March 12, 2014), this family-friendly scavenger hunt takes participants to locations including Langenhagen (to the EDC company), Expo-Park-Süd in Hanover, and the Pavillon cultural center in Hanover: a total of 17 locations that are easy to reach—without any hassle, risk, or harm to flora and fauna—and are even accessible to people with disabilities. And that’s where the music comes in. “Hanover isn’t just the city where the vinyl record was invented, the first music cassette was produced, and the first CD was pressed; but many internationally renowned artists can also claim the ‘Made in Hannover’ label, a city that may soon bear the title of a ‘UNESCO City of Music,’” explains Regional President Hauke Jagau, explaining the choice of music as the theme for the first tour exploring the region’s (geo)mysteries: “So, a detective’s intuition and a bit of musical know-how are called for.”

Equipped with a Global Positioning System receiver or a smartphone, treasure hunters around the world are now setting out in search of the more than 2.2 million active “caches” that now exist worldwide. The items they find are usually small or larger containers containing a logbook and various items for trading.

Afterward, the experience can be shared with others online. “Geocaching is becoming increasingly popular as a recreational activity,” says Hans Christian Nolte, managing director of Hannover Marketing und Tourismus GmbH (HMTG), confirming the trend: “The growing number of participants includes families, nature enthusiasts, athletes, and many others. The appeal lies in the combination of nature and technology and in the sense of adventure during the search. We want to harness this potential to showcase the Hanover region and, above all, to offer something to visitors who like to go their own way.”

The "Ge(o)mysteries" Tour is divided into four quadrants, each containing three caches. In addition, each quadrant contains a bonus cache that can only be found and opened once the three regular caches have been solved. But that’s not all: Anyone who has found the bonus caches in all four quadrants can solve the super-bonus cache, which is also hidden in the “Ge(o)heimnisse” Tour.

The first Ge(o)heimisse tour was developed by the team at GeheimPunkt GmbH, a startup based in Hanover that won the kre|H|tiv Network’s drei|V competition last year and was honored at the national level with the “Kultur- und Kreativpiloten Deutschland” industry award.

In the summer of 2014, the Geotour portal will be expanded to include a second “Ge(o)mystery” tour along the “Green Ring.”

If you'd like to combine the geotour with a stay in the Hanover region, you'll find a wide selection of lodging packages at www.hannover.de/erlebnispakete. Hotels and private rooms to suit every taste can be booked at www.hannover.de/zimmervermittlung.

For more information