Hamburg in travel fever: booming city trips - but at what price?

Hamburg in travel fever: booming city trips - but at what price?

Hamburg, Deutschland - Every year, Hamburg attracts millions of tourists who want to explore and enjoy the city. But the focus is not only on relaxation, as tourism researchers Jürgen Schmude notes in an interview. The travel motifs have changed in the past two decades. Travelers are increasingly interested in culture, sport, shopping and culinary deliberation, which has made urban tourism a trend. The variety of interests indicate a large group of city travelers who play an important role in this travel market.

The current city trip study emphasizes the importance of cities like Hamburg. Project M notes that Hamburg, together with Berlin and Paris, is one of the top 3 city trips for 2024. Munich and Vienna also line up in the top 10. In a representative survey of 6,000 city trip -savvy people from Germany, Austria and Switzerland, over half of the respondents are convinced that they have already made fixed plans for their next city trip or to be in the booking phase.

motivations for city trips

The reasons for city trips are diverse. According to the study, sights, an excellent culinary offer and the urban flair are crucial. It is surprising that even cities that are not considered a "must-see" have to develop strategies in order to emphasize their unique characteristics and distinguishing features. Swiss guests in particular are interested in excellent hospitality and attractive shopping offers.

Another interesting result of the study shows the wish of the travelers for authentic encounters with locals in city quarters. Sustainability and digital competence also play an increasingly important role. Travelers are increasingly paying attention to socially and ecologically compatible holiday offers, which is particularly reflected in their choice of mobility and preferred regional products.

changes in the city centers

The inner cities have changed a lot over the years. While they were previously focused on shops, they are experiencing a transformation towards cultural and experience -oriented rooms today. This illustrates the trend that city trips are not only a way to relax, but also contribute to the cultural appropriation and to experience new urban ways of life.

Overall, it is clear that urban tourism remains dynamic and that cities like Hamburg benefit greatly from these developments. However, in order to ensure the quality of travel, cities and actors in tourism have to deal with the needs of travelers and develop innovative concepts that meet both the demand and take into account the quality of life of the locals. Hinz & Kunzt offers valuable perspectives and shows that the balance between tourism and quality of life is a challenge that has to be addressed.