Reisebüro der DDR

The Reisebüro der DDR ("Travel Bureau of the GDR") was the state travel organization of the German Democratic Republic (East Germany). The Reisebüro had several travel-related functions, including:


 * 1)  Arranging domestic travel for GDR citizens. The Reisebüro (Travel Agency), among other things, controlled hotels located throughout the GDR.
 * 2)  Arranging travel for GDR citizens in other socialist countries, i.e., the Soviet Union, Czechoslovakia, Poland, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, and Cuba.
 * 3)  Arranging travel for foreigners visiting the GDR.  These services included booking hotel rooms and providing confirmation documents used to justify the issuance of a GDR visa upon arrival in the GDR.  The Reisebüro had agreements with travel agencies in other countries; travelers would book trips with a participating travel agency in their home country, which would then coordinate with the Reisebüro to reserve hotel rooms, etc.