Tourism boom in Germany: record overnight stays in the first half of the year!
Discover the current developments in German tourism: record numbers of overnight stays and economic trends.

Tourism boom in Germany: record overnight stays in the first half of the year!
German tourism is currently experiencing a real boom. The accommodation providers recorded more than 183 million guest facilities in the first half of 2023 Mirror reported. This corresponds to an increase of 4.3 percent compared to the previous year. This continues the upward trend in tourism in Germany, an important economic sector that recently contributed almost nine percent to gross domestic product.
A certain joy arises because Germany's popularity as a travel destination has increased significantly. Cities like Munich and Cologne are particularly popular. North Rhine-Westphalia, together with Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, takes the top places in terms of overnight stays. The number of employees in the hospitality industry subject to social insurance contributions also reached a new high in 2023 at around 1.1 million. A positive development that at the same time reflects the challenges in travel sales, where there is a decline in employees.
Records for overnight stays
Germans like to travel, and you can see that not only in the number of overnight stays, but also in the amount they spend. In 2023, domestic travelers spent around $112 billion, putting Germany third in tourism spending worldwide behind the United States and China. International tourists also contributed to the German economy, with revenues of $37.4 billion.
The popularity of the accommodations is clearly visible. Hotels, in particular, are the preferred choice of travelers, both domestic and international. This is because more than 48,200 accommodation providers are open in Germany, including around 12,200 hotels, which offer a wide range of offerings for different target groups. In addition, more and more travelers are using cars to get to Germany. Over 50 percent of tourists travel by car, followed by those who prefer to fly.
The future of traveling in Germany
The future of travel seems promising. The trend towards more sustainable tourism and an increase in rail travel is evident. In 2023, around 108 million passengers used Deutsche Bahn's ICE trains. On average, 49.1 percent of long-distance trains were full. This development is accompanied by a change in travel behavior among Germans, who are increasingly preferring regional destinations.
Overall, it shows that tourism in Germany is on the way to normality and further growth. The country has established itself as an attractive destination for both domestic and international travelers and the industry is poised to continue this positive development. Loud Statista The industry remains optimistic for the coming months and years while working to improve its offerings.