PLYMOUTH’S potential as a visitor destination has impressed a tourism expert from Germany.

Mario Wermuth, chief executive of digital tourism business Inbooma, said he had fruitful talks with Plymouth businesses including Jurys Inn and National Marine Aquarium during his four-day stay in the city.

His firm creates innovative website technology providing tour operators and holiday accommodations with a tool set for complete online marketing, sales and booking.

He wants to work with small firms in Germany and the English South West on ways they can promote themselves in each country.

“It has a beautiful city centre and the Barbican is great,” he said. “The city goes directly to the sea and to the north are the moors.

“I see no reason why Plymouth should hide from foreign tourism.”

Meanwhile, Helen Stohr, international market development manager with Invest Region Leipzig, described Plymouth as “beautiful”.

She added: “You have the coast and the city looks very liveable – I could imagine staying longer.

“Next time I visit I will go to the Theatre Royal. Leipzig has a lot of theatres so maybe there’s the opportunity to do something together, like workshops.”

James Parsons, director of Leipzig-based language school ICC Sprachinstitut, said there are opportunities for further links between Plymouth and Leipzig companies, and suggested a contest between start-ups from the two cities, pitching for investment.

And he added: “On the cultural side we could have a contest between bands from Plymouth with the winner getting a gig in Leipzig.”