Tourism hits unprecedented peak
In a recent report by the Federal Statistical Office, it was revealed that the German tourism industry showed resilience and growth in the first half of 2021, despite a decline in foreign demand.
The report highlighted that a significant rise in domestic travel was the primary driver of this growth, as German guests compensated for the shortfall from international visitors by booking more stays within the country. As a result, a total of 223.3 million overnight stays were recorded in Germany by hotels and large accommodation providers [3].
Large German cities remained popular destinations, especially among international tourists, but the domestic market was the main driver amid reduced foreign demand [1][3]. Trends such as flexibility offered by alternative accommodations (like short-term rental apartments) also influenced travel patterns, but hotels continued to be the preferred choice among both domestic and foreign guests [1].
The increase in guest stays was particularly evident in June, with a new record of 50.5 million guest stays recorded in establishments with at least ten beds [2]. This number represented a 3.8 percent increase compared to the same month in the previous year, and a 0.1 percent increase from the previous record high in 2024. The late Pentecost holidays played a role in this increase [2].
Remarkably, the gap caused by the decrease in foreign guests was more than made up for by an increase in overnight stays by Germans, with a 7.4 percent increase observed in June [2]. However, the report did not provide specific information about the distribution of guest stays between business trips and vacations [2].
The increase in guest stays in June was observed despite a 12.7 percent decrease in foreign guests in the same month. This decrease was attributed to the exceptionally high number in the previous year, when the European Football Championship attracted fans from all countries [2]. The Federal Statistical Office did not provide further details about the cause or nature of the increase in guest stays in June [2].
Regrettably, no information about the second half of the year was provided in the current report, nor was there any information about the impact of the increase in guest stays on the overall number of overnight stays for the entire year [2]. It remains to be seen whether the positive trends observed in the first half of the year will continue throughout the rest of 2021.
Domestic travel, fueled by the rise in stays within the country, was the primary factor driving growth in the German tourism industry in the first half of 2021, as highlighted by the report. As a result, many German guests opted for lifestyle choices that involved travel within their own country, contributing to the total of 223.3 million overnight stays recorded in Germany by hotels and large accommodation providers.
