Tourism in Horb: Decline in overnight stays is a cause for concern!

Tourism in Horb: Decline in overnight stays is a cause for concern!

The current situation in the tourism sector in Baden-Württemberg shows worrying developments. According to the latest data, the number of overnight stays fell by 5.2 percent in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the previous year. The hotel industry in the region has recorded a decline of 4.6 percent, which is particularly evident in Horb.

In Horb, the occupancy of the hotels varies greatly. While the Gasthof Adler in Dettingen can report a successful winter season with many overnight stays and events, things are different at the Forellengasthof Waldeck. There has been a noticeable decline in overnight stays by both tourists and business travelers. The “HOR Hotel”, on the other hand, located in the industrial area, remains stable with an occupancy rate of 90 to 100 percent and does not show any declining numbers.

Causes of the decline

The reasons for the decline are complex. Experts discuss people's financial situation, the increasing spread of home office work and the timing of the Easter holidays as possible factors. These circumstances could lead to less need for travel and accommodation.

In Horb in particular, many hotel guests are business travelers, which makes the city attractive for certain market segments. Nevertheless, a decline in international visitors following the corona pandemic remains a serious problem. In addition, the tourists in Horb are often cyclists who only stay for a short time and therefore do not contribute to the stability of the local hospitality industry.

Local support necessary

The owner of the Forellengasthof emphasizes that the number of both business travelers and tourists is declining. This represents a challenge for the industry, as the attractiveness of the Neckar alone is often not enough to retain guests for a longer period of time. In this context, an appeal is made to the local population to support local gastronomy in order to strengthen the hospitality industry in Horb.

The tourism statistical data provided by Statistics portal are made available, reflect the occupancy rate in accommodation establishments and offer a comprehensive overview of the current situation. They include information on sleeping arrangements, arrivals and overnight stays for both domestic and international guests. However, the data on smaller companies is often not recorded in official statistics.

It remains to be seen how the situation in tourism and hospitality will develop in the coming months and whether the industry can recover from the current declines. Support from the local population could play a crucial role.