Thuringia's Prime Minister predicts a positive first half of 2024 for the number of overnight stays in the region.
Tourism Rebound in Thuringia: A Growing Trend for Natural and Cultural Experiences
Thuringia, a picturesque region in Germany, is experiencing a resurgence in tourism, with key destinations attracting visitors seeking unique and off-the-beaten-path experiences. According to a press release from Thuringian Tourism GmbH dated 30.08.2024, titled "PM of TTG 60-2024 H1 2024.pdfPDF - 123 kB", over the first half of 2024, Thuringia recorded a total of 4,630,028 overnight stays, reaching 99.3% of the 2019 level.
Erfurt, the region's capital, exceeded the level of 2019 with a 17.2% increase in overnight stays. The city was followed by Weimar and Erfurt, which showed the strongest increase in overnight stays, with a growth of 10.0% and 9.9% respectively, in comparison to the periods January to June 2023 to 2024.
Camping grounds, hotels, and vacation rentals all exceeded the overnight stay levels of 2019. Guests stayed longest in the Thuringian Forest, with an increase from 3.5 to 3.7 days, and in the Weimar region, with an increase from 3.1 to 3.5 days. In the first half of 2024, camping grounds saw the largest increase in overnight stays, with a 7.9% rise compared to 2023.
The Saale region, the South Harz-Kyffhäuser region, and Eichsfeld also surpassed the 2019 level, with increases of 2.8%, 0.5%, and 7.3% respectively. The Ziemestalbrücke, a forgotten railway bridge in the Thuringian Forest, has become a notable destination for hikers and explorers, reflecting a trend toward experiential, nature-centric tourism and discovery of lesser-known sites.
Cultural and artistic attractions such as Vineta, a floating church and art installation, are also gaining attention, indicating that cultural tourism remains important in the region. Nationwide, overnight stays across all federal states were 1.4% lower than in the same month of 2023 in June, but Thuringia defied this trend, with Erfurt, Weimar, and Eichsfeld exceeding the level of June 2019.
The increased length of stay could be related to the early start of the summer holidays in mid-June. For further information, please visit: https://thueringen.tourismusnetzwerk.info/wissen/marktforschung/statistik
The press release discusses the overnight numbers in Thuringia for the first half of 2024. Despite economic challenges, Germans continue to prioritize travel, with projected record-high travel demand in 2025 following 2024. The cost-consciousness seen in travelers is driving interest in alternative destinations offering better value and package holidays, a factor that may influence Thuringia’s strategies to attract visitors.
Younger travelers, particularly Gen Z, are showing a preference for all-inclusive holiday packages for convenience and cost transparency, favoring destinations that combine affordability and “Instagram-worthy” appeal. While this trend is more evident in coastal and island locations, it signals a potential market segment to target in Thuringia with tailored packages.
In summary, the key tourism trends for Thuringia in early 2024 suggest a growing visitor interest in natural, outdoor, and culturally unique experiences within a context of steady or rising travel demand in Germany despite economic challenges. Thuringia’s lesser-known natural and cultural sites are gaining recognition as attractive alternatives to more traditional destinations.
- Visitors to Thuringia, drawn by the region's unique and off-the-beaten-path experiences, are increasingly choosing camping grounds for their stays, reflecting a trend toward nature-centric travel.
- As the trend of experiential travel continues, lesser-known cultural attractions in Thuringia, such as Vineta, a floating church and art installation, are gaining attention, underlining the region's appeal for cultural enthusiasts.
