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

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

Every year, Hamburg attracts millions of tourists who want to explore and enjoy the city. But the focus is not just on relaxation, as tourism researcher Jürgen Schmude notes in an interview. In the last two decades, travel motives have changed. Travelers are increasingly interested in culture, sports, shopping and cuisine, which has made urban tourism a trend. The diversity of interests suggests a large group of city travelers who play an important role in this travel market.

The current city trip study highlights the importance of cities like Hamburg. Project M notes that Hamburg, together with Berlin and Paris, is one of the TOP 3 city trip destinations for 2024. Munich and Vienna are also in the TOP 10. In a representative survey of 6,000 people from Germany, Austria and Switzerland who are interested in city trips, over half of those surveyed are convinced that they have already made firm plans for their next city trip or are in the booking phase.

Motivation for city trips

There are many reasons for city trips. According to the study, sights, excellent culinary offerings and urban flair are crucial. What is surprising is that even cities that are not considered “must-sees” need to develop strategies to highlight their unique features and differentiators. Swiss guests in particular are interested in excellent hospitality and attractive shopping offers.

Another interesting result of the study shows travelers' desire for authentic encounters with locals in city neighborhoods. Sustainability and digital competence are also playing 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 inner cities

The city centers have changed significantly over the years. While they were previously focused on shopping opportunities, they are now experiencing a transformation towards cultural and experience-oriented spaces. This highlights the trend that city trips are not only an opportunity for relaxation, but also contribute to cultural appropriation and experiencing new urban lifestyles.

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