Tourism in Germany Experiences Decline in March Hotel Stays Due to Late Easter

The tourism sector in Germany has encountered challenges at the beginning of the year, particularly following a record year in 2024. The late date of Easter this year has notably altered travel plans for many.

According to data from the Federal Statistical Office, hotels and other accommodation providers with a minimum of ten beds recorded approximately 32.7 million overnight stays in March. This figure represents a decline of 7.7 percent compared to the same month last year, when a significant portion of the Easter holidays occurred in March.

Camping facilities were particularly affected, experiencing a staggering drop of nearly 42 percent in overnight stays. Additionally, vacation homes and apartments saw an 18.1 percent decrease in bookings, which are primarily favored for family vacations.

Domestic travelers exhibited a more pronounced reduction in bookings, down 8.4 percent, while international guests experienced a decline of 4.0 percent. Overall, the total number of overnight stays for the first quarter stood at 84.8 million, reflecting a 4.4 percent decrease compared to the record levels of 2024. Analysts attribute this downturn to the later timing of the Easter holiday this year, indicating that more accurate comparisons may be possible only after including data from April.

Looking ahead to the summer season, the German National Tourist Board (DZT) has noted mixed prospects. There are fewer advance bookings for flights to Germany compared to the previous year, which was significantly boosted by the UEFA European Championship. Among European travelers, there is a slight decrease in travel inclination compared to last year, although many are planning longer stays with larger budgets than in 2024.

Concerns also loom regarding visitors from the United States, who were the second-largest group of international tourists in Germany last year, with 7.2 million overnight stays. Recent surveys conducted on behalf of the DZT indicate that about one-third of these travelers are reducing their travel plans due to financial constraints, while another quarter intends to stick with their destinations but plans to spend less on-site. Despite these challenges, Germany remains viewed as a safe and attractive destination for American tourists.