Tourexpi
Petra
Hedorfer, Chair of the German National Tourist Board (GNTB), noted that
international tourism is currently affected by volatile conditions, including
calendar-related shifts and global trade tensions. Despite a slow start, she
expressed optimism for the summer, pointing out that people’s desire to travel,
relax, and experience different cultures generally outweighs short-term
challenges. Recent analysis by the European Travel Commission suggests
promising trends for the upcoming season, including longer stays and increased
travel budgets. Germany remains Europe’s leading cultural tourism destination,
benefiting from factors like value for money (22%), safety (18%), and mild
climate (14%).
Despite
the positive outlook, some challenges persist. Advance bookings of
international flights to Germany from May to July 2025 remain 3.9% lower than
the previous year, with seat capacity for Q1 2025 still 13.9% below 2019
levels. However, the upcoming UEFA EURO 2024 tournament is expected to
stabilize figures during peak season.
Across
Europe, travel intentions from April to September 2025 are slightly down at
72.2% compared to the previous year. Nonetheless, 80% of European travelers are
planning longer holidays (over four nights), with 14% aiming for trips
exceeding twelve nights. Additionally, 47% plan a budget of over EUR 1,500 per
person, a 13% increase from last year.
One
area of concern is the US market. In 2024, the US ranked as Germany’s
second-largest inbound market with 7.2 million overnight stays. However, a
recent GNTB survey revealed mixed signals: while a quarter of Americans with
travel plans are undeterred by geopolitical tensions, a third are scaling back
due to financial difficulties, and another quarter intend to cut travel
spending despite sticking with their chosen destination. Nevertheless,
Germany's reputation for safety and cultural appeal remains strong, and the
GNTB's key accounts in the US market are cautiously optimistic about
maintaining last year’s business levels.
The
GNTB remains hopeful that Germany’s established appeal as a cultural and safe
destination will continue to attract international visitors, especially as the
summer season approaches.
Image
Credit: © DZT/Dagmar Schwelle
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