Tourism slump in Baden-Württemberg: Overnight stays on the decline!

Tourism slump in Baden-Württemberg: Overnight stays on the decline!

In the first quarter of 2025, Baden-Württemberg recorded a decline in tourism, like that Baden-Württemberg State Statistical Office reported. Overnight stays in accommodation facilities fell by 5.2 percent to 10.3 million. The number of guests was 4.2 million, a decrease of 1.2 percent compared to the same quarter last year. Despite these negative developments, the figures are above the level of the first quarter of 2019, with an increase of 2.0 percent.

A possible reason for the decline in overnight stays could be the postponement of the Easter holidays, some of which were still in the first quarter of 2024. Compared to 2019, the number of overnight stays shows a slight increase of 0.5 percent. Campsites were particularly hard hit, recording a decline of 26.2 percent. Pensions (-14.3 percent), inns (-13.9 percent) and youth hostels also suffered declines. Hotels recorded a decline of 4.6 percent.

Regional differences in tourism

All travel areas in Baden-Württemberg showed negative developments in the first quarter of 2025. The decline was particularly serious in the Lake Constance area at -16.6 percent, followed by the Swabian Alb, which recorded 3.1 percent fewer overnight stays. Training homes, on the other hand, had the smallest decline at just -0.6 percent.

These declines contrast with the extremely positive developments in the tourism year 2024. According to a publication by Ministry of Economy, Labor and Tourism A record number of 23.8 million guest arrivals was reached in 2024, which corresponds to an increase of 2.1 percent compared to 2019. The number of overnight stays was 58.9 million and also represents a new record.

Positive outlook and challenges

Dr. Patrick Rapp, State Secretary in the Ministry, expressed optimism about the future of tourism in Baden-Württemberg. City tourism showed significant increases, especially in urban districts, and the increase in international guests was boosted by events such as the 2024 European Championships. In June 2024 there were 15 percent more arrivals of foreign guests compared to the previous year.

Despite these successes, Dr. Rapp highlights the high cost pressure and the difficult economic conditions that the industry is confronted with. He is critical of the expiry of the reduced VAT rate and calls for a change to ensure the competitiveness of gastronomy and tourism in Baden-Württemberg.