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Eifel region pools tourism forces: New paths for guests in 2025!
On June 19, 2025, tourism stakeholders met in Euskirchen to strengthen cooperation and promote the region as an attractive destination.
Eifel region pools tourism forces: New paths for guests in 2025!
On June 19, 2025, an exciting event for the region's tourism and hospitality players took place as part of a summer reception by the Aachen Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK). Leading personalities met on the stylish ship “Stella Maris” to discuss the future of tourism in the Eifel. Particular attention was paid to the newly founded one Rureifel Tourism GmbH moved into the spotlight, which is now led by Astrid Joraschky and René Wißgott.
In the presence of municipalities such as Hürtgenwald, Kreuzau, Roetgen and Monschau, City Region Councilor Dr. Tim Grüttemeier is clear that the Eifel is an important tourist region that offers nature, peace and high quality. The motto of the event, “Cooperation as the key to tourism success”, was very well received because the challenges facing the industry today cannot be underestimated.
Challenges and opportunities
The numbers speak for themselves: According to the IHK, 1.5 million arrivals and 3.5 million overnight stays are forecast in the district for 2024. This corresponds to an increase of 3% or 1.8% compared to the previous year, while the number of international guests even grew by 7%. But the challenges are diverse. A shortage of skilled workers, rising costs and a variety of bureaucratic requirements are affecting the industry.
A particular step forward is the initiative to improve tourist contact points in the Euskirchen district. Iris Poth from Nordeifel Tourismus GmbH explained that a comprehensive project to revise the tourist information with a total volume of 3.4 million euros will be carried out by the end of 2026. These measures are necessary to meet the demands of new travelers who increasingly value quality and sustainability.
Redesigning tourism in the Eifel
The aim of founding Rureifel Tourismus GmbH was to pool tourism forces and redesign organizational structures. The GmbH goes to existing tourism associations such asMonschauer Land Tourism e.V.and theRursee Shipping GmbHback. A strong financial foundation is laid with a funding notice of 455,000 euros for the start-up phase and equity capital totaling 506,000 euros. The aim is to connect all tourist information to a digital network and to develop a marketing strategy that presents the region under the motto “Rureifel – wild about nature”.
The developments at Rursee, which Philipp Piecha from the IHK Aachen mentioned, are also promising. The construction of a new promenade will further increase the attractiveness of the region. Nevertheless, there are also setbacks: Martin Conzelmann from Rursee-Schifffahrt reported a decline in passenger numbers of 15%, which can be attributed to construction sites in Rurberg. Rursee-Schifffahrt has responded to this and put up its own signage to direct passengers specifically to the piers.
A look into the future
The Eifel is facing a new beginning, especially after the massive restrictions caused by the corona pandemic and the flood disaster in July 2021. As a study shows, the Eifel could serve as a best practice example for other regions to take advantage of innovative opportunities in tourism and respond to the changing demands of travelers. The discussion about sustainability and quality is becoming increasingly louder, and the region's tourism service providers are called upon to respond and reposition themselves.
In this sense, the sentence can be aptly summarized: Things can simply get better together - and the Eifel is well on the way to putting this principle into practice.