Domestic tourism January to December 2008
Number of stays increased by 1.9 percent – notable growth in long-term stays – earnings increased by seven percent – more price sensitivity. Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania showing largest growth. Bavaria still popular destination. Leading trade fairs important growth drivers in city tourism.
For 2008, the Federal Statistical Office counted a total of 313.04 million stays of German guests at lodging establishments with more than nine beds and on camping sites, translating to an increase of 1.9 percent as compared to 2007. The figures show that German guests tended to more often spend their holidays – main holidays in particular – in their own country. The statisticians determined a notable growth in long-term stays with more than four nights, with the number of domestic short-term trips being slightly lower than in the previous year. Overall, earnings in domestic tourism increased by more than seven percent in 2008.
More than 313 million domestic overnight stays in 2008
„The 3.1 percent growth in the first half of 2008 has slowed in the last six months due to the economic crisis, but overall we can happy about strong results that are meeting our expectations“, Petra Hedorfer, Chairwoman of the Board of the German Central for Tourism (DZT), sums it up. „However, a close look at the past year also shows which factors will be gaining importance in 2009: The BAT Foundation for Future Issues sums it up in the handy phrase of ‘Reiselust – priesbewusst’ (‘wanderlust – price-conscious’)“, Hedorfer continues.
The winners of the year were the federal states of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, showing a 4.3 percent plus, and Lower Saxony and Baden-Württemberg, showing 2.7 percent growth in overnight stays, respectively. Bavaria remained the most popular state, however, also experiencing a plus with 64.1 million overnight stays. Among the regions, the Lower Rhine (8.5 percent plus), central Neckar (7.4 percent plus) and the Rügen/Hiddensee region (6.2 percent plus) showed the largest growth in popularity amongst the entirety of German guests.
In regards to the cities, Hannover topped the lists in 2008 with a 16.6 percent plus (January-November), followed by Bremen with a 9.7 percent growth and Düsseldorf with 8.9 percent. In many cities, leading trade fairs played a key role in domestic tourism. Cologne and Dresden suffered declines of three and four percent, respectively, in 2008.
The booking behavior of German guests, too, has undergone changes in 2008: A survey by IPK International showed that both, Internet bookings and direct inquiries at the hotel generated two-digit rates of growth. The rise in demand for domestic holidays has gained importance in local sales, as well: According to a survey of market research company GfK, Germany placed third in the 2008 list of most frequently booked destinations for family holidays at travel agencies for the first time, passing greece in the process.
