Black Forest breaks records: 23 million overnight stays in 2024!

Black Forest breaks records: 23 million overnight stays in 2024!

The Black Forest is currently on everyone’s lips! With over 23 million overnight stays in 2024, the region has set new records, which were presented at the annual meeting of Schwarzwald Tourismus GmbH in Europapark Rust. Around 400 guests from the fields of tourism and politics were present to celebrate these impressive figures. More and more holidaymakers are drawn to the picturesque landscapes of the Black Forest, which is also reflected in the turnover of over eight billion euros. At this point it must be mentioned that this is a continuous development that has already become visible in previous years. Schwarzwald Tourismus GmbH reports that 8.3 million guests were already counted in 2023, an increase of 10.4 percent compared to the previous year.

International tourism in particular appears to be in a strong position again. A majority of the guests in the Black Forest came from Switzerland, the Netherlands and France. The region is also enjoying growing popularity among travelers from Spain and Italy, largely due to the increasingly hot summers in these countries. An interesting perspective opens up in the future: The aim is also to attract more tourists from Scandinavia and Great Britain, who can make a positive contribution to the tourism industry in the Black Forest through their diverse opportunities.

Innovations and awards

There was also some news at the annual meeting that caused a stir. An AI-generated ambassador named Schwarzwald-Marie was introduced, capable of speaking 26 languages. This new digital development is intended to strengthen the social media presence of Schwarzwald Tourismus GmbH. In addition, there is the introduction of the digital KONUS guest card, which is intended to make it easier for guests to use public transport - a measure that not only increases comfort but also appeals to environmentally conscious travelers.

In addition to these innovations, seven “kuckuck 25” gourmet awards were also presented, which went to, among others, the “Nest of the Year”, the Hotel Die Halde in Oberried-Hofsgrund, and the “Local of the Year”, the Café in the Monastery in Calw-Hirsau. The award shows how important culinary experiences are for the Black Forest and at the same time shows the diversity of the region.

Sustainability and future opportunities

Another important aspect of the discussion was the sustainable development of tourism in the Black Forest. Small and medium-sized businesses play a crucial role in this development. New trends in wine tourism and sustainable mobility concepts were also discussed. In combination with the far-reaching marketing strategy, which aims to promote the Black Forest as a year-round destination, the course is set for a successful future.

Overall, the Black Forest is a model for sustainable, regionally anchored quality tourism in Europe. The region has the right mix of nature, culture and innovative solutions to continue to attract holidaymakers in droves in the future. It will be exciting to see how these developments will continue to unfold in the coming year.

If you would like to find out more about current developments and planned projects in the Black Forest, you will find all the information in detail here SWR, Black Forest Tourism and Schwarzälder messenger.