The German National Tourist Board (GNTB) has announced impressive results for the summer tourism season, with preliminary data from the Federal Statistical Office indicating a significant rise in international overnight stays. In August alone, overnight stays increased by 5.7% to reach 10.1 million. Overall, from June to August, overseas tourism grew by 8.1% year-on-year, nearly matching the record recovery rate of 98% set in 2019.
Additional indicators reinforce this positive trend. According to MKG Consulting, hotel occupancy rates in August climbed to 68.4%, up 2.4 percentage points from the previous year. Furthermore, Forward Keys reported a 15.2% increase in the number of international flights arriving in Germany during the same month. Mastercard’s analysis highlighted that overseas tourists’ spending continues to rise following the 2024 European Cup, with total spending exceeding that of the same period last year.
A survey conducted by the GNTB, involving over 250 travel agencies worldwide, revealed increased confidence among industry executives. About 57% expressed optimism about conducting business in Germany, reflecting a 10 percentage point increase from last year.
GNTB CEO Petra Hedorfer emphasized the strong demand during the quarter, bolstered by significant events like Euro 2024 and visits from globally recognized celebrities. She noted the favorable performance in the Anholt Ipsos Nation Brands Index (NBI) 2024, which supports ongoing growth in the tourism sector. However, Hedorfer also acknowledged potential challenges, including flight cancellations, high operational costs, and rising energy prices, which could impact Germany’s competitiveness in tourism.
In the latest NBI 2024 rankings, Germany continues to excel, leading among 26 European countries and securing the second position globally, just behind Japan and ahead of Italy. The country has enhanced its tourist appeal, advancing in the “tourism” sub-index and increasing visibility for its historical sites. Additionally, improvements in the “People” category suggest a rising favorable international image for Germany.
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