The name „Greeter“ derives from the English word “to greet”. Greeters welcome guests and take them on individual Greets through the city – without charge. The Greeter concept was first initiated and developed in New York by Lynn Brooks in 1992, then it was known as “Big Apple Greeters”. Meanwhile the idea has gained more and more friends – both Greeters and guests. Hamburg Greeters came into being in the Spring of 2012. At our Greets, inquisitive guests meet up with dedicated Hamburg folks. We Greeters love our hometown and we like to give you an insight into our personal lives in Hamburg. We accompany you through the city – entirely free of charge, as is customary among friends. You will experience very personal and individual walkabouts and you will hear about our workaday lives. We do not offer you a complete sightseeing-tour to tourist-attractions, but we can tell you where you can get those.
All Greeters and Greeter destinations share the same core values:
Greeters are volunteers, a friendly face for those visiting a city/destination
Greeters welcome individuals and may serve small groups of up to six people
Meeting a Greeter is free of charge
Visitors are welcomed without any kind of discrimination
Greeter programs support sustainable tourism. Programs respect natural and man-made environments, it brings both cultural and economical enrichment to the local communities. Programs aim for a lasting positive image of each destination.
Greeter programs create a mutually enriching opportunity for cultural exchange, create links between people thus creating a better world.
