Decline in tourist numbers: Lake Constance and the Black Forest severely affected!

Decline in tourist numbers: Lake Constance and the Black Forest severely affected!

Tourism in Baden-Württemberg experienced a setback at the beginning of 2025. In the first three months of the year, around 5,700 accommodation providers in the country recorded a total of 4.2 million guest arrivals. This corresponds to a decrease of 1.2 percent compared to the same period last year. At the same time, the number of overnight stays fell by 5.2 percent to 10.3 million. Nevertheless, these numbers are above the values ​​that were registered before the corona pandemic in the first quarter of 2019.

A central factor in the decline is the timing of the Easter holidays, which fell entirely in April in 2025. This led to a calendar effect that was also noticeable at the national level. Campsites were particularly hard hit, recording a decline of 26.2 percent compared to the previous year. Pensions, inns and youth hostels also reported double-digit losses, while hotels, which account for the largest share of overnight stays, recorded a decline of 4.6 percent.

Regional differences in tourism

All travel areas in Baden-Württemberg had lower numbers in the first quarter. The Lake Constance travel area was most affected, with a decline of 16.6 percent. This is notable as the region is traditionally considered a popular destination. However, Patrick Rapp, the country's State Secretary for Tourism, assesses the current situation as stable and is optimistic for the upcoming summer months. He believes that tourism will remain stable over the rest of the year.

Preview of the tourism season

In 2024, tourism in Baden-Württemberg was already able to record a significant upward trend after the industry had put the serious consequences of the pandemic behind it. With 58.9 million overnight stays and 23.8 million guest arrivals last year, new highs were reached. In a statement, Dr. Patrick Rapp said that the first quarter of 2025 is still the second best year for tourism in Baden-Württemberg.

For the rest of 2025, Rapp expects tourism to be strong at the same level as the previous year. The upcoming Easter and Whitsun holidays, which take place in the next quarter, are expected to lead to an increase in tourism. He also expects good conditions for tourism in Baden-Württemberg, which is known for its mild climate and diversity, during the summer months.

In summary, it can be said that despite the slight decline at the beginning of the year, the prospects for tourism in Baden-Württemberg remain positive. This is also proven by the data and forecasts that support the Tourism State Secretary's optimism.

Swabian newspaper reports that tourism in the country remains historically high. In this context, the publication of the tourism balance sheet for the first quarter of 2025 on May 14, 2025 will be particularly important. The participation portal emphasizes that despite the declines, the developments of the first quarter still offer bright spots for the industry.