Trendy city trips: Why Hamburg is the next destination!

Trendy city trips: Why Hamburg is the next destination!

In recent years, the way people travel has changed dramatically. Tourism is no longer just an escape from everyday life, but an experience that combines culture, sport and cuisine. Jürgen Schmude, an expert in tourism research from Munich, reports that more and more travelers are using their city trips not only for relaxation, but also to enjoy urban life and the cultural offerings. This is also reflected in the fact that city trips in Germany are one of the most popular forms of vacation with almost 34 million travelers. However, the growing popularity also leads to challenges that are noticeable in cities like Hamburg. Loud Hinz&Kuntst Millions of people vacation in the Hanseatic city every year and enjoy the diversity there.

“Overcrowding and rising prices” are common complaints among locals in cities like Berlin, where around 30% of the population find tourism problematic. With 12.1 million arrivals every year, the city not only attracts German travelers, but also many from abroad, especially from the United Kingdom and the USA. Second place in the ranking after Berlin is taken by Munich and Hamburg, which also record high visitor numbers, according to current data from Statista show.

Diverse travel motifs on trend

Travel motives have diversified greatly over the last two decades. City travelers are increasingly interested in the culinary offerings and local culture. As part of the City trip study 2024, which surveyed 6,000 people in Germany, Austria and Switzerland who are fond of city trips, it became clear that more than 50% of those surveyed already have firm plans for their next city trip or have even booked one. Travelers not only pay attention to the price-performance ratio, but are also open to new, sustainable travel offers.

“Sustainability is becoming increasingly important,” according to the study’s results. Many travelers are looking for socially and ecologically compatible vacation offers. Aspects such as the use of public transport, regional products and the promotion of pedestrian and bicycle friendly cities are becoming increasingly important. City trips not only allow you to explore well-known sights, but also to immerse yourself in the local culture and enjoy moments of enjoyment in honorable restaurants and cafés with Michelin stars.

The top travel destinations for city travelers

Travelers' personal preferences have a clear influence on the most popular travel destinations in Germany and Europe. With Berlin and Paris at the top, Munich and Hamberg's charming cultural corners also occupy first-class positions in the city trip trend list. The Germans' preference for city trips is reflected not only in the number of trips, but also in the way these trips are designed. City tours and culinary tours are becoming increasingly popular and offer unique experiences.

However, the challenges posed by increasing tourism should not be ignored. It is time to find a healthy balance between attractiveness for travelers and comfort for locals so that the urban life of cities like Hamburg, Berlin and Cologne continues to be vibrant and worked on. The discussion about overtourism is more topical than ever and offers all stakeholders – from tourism professionals to city managers – the opportunity to actively shape future development.