Last year saw a record-breaking number of overnight stays at German tourism sites, according to preliminary results from the Federal Statistical Office. Larger accommodation providers, with at least ten beds, reported close to 500 million overnight stays—a 0.3% increase from the previous year, which also set a record. The most popular month was August, with nearly 60 million overnight stays, while December also saw a significant increase, contributing about 32 million overnight stays, around 1.1 million more than the previous December.

The surge in overnight stays can largely be attributed to a notable increase in camping accommodations, where overnight stays rose by 4.2%. In contrast, traditional hotel accommodations faced a slight decline of 0.4%. Domestic tourists played a crucial role in this growth, making up nearly 85% of all overnight stays, which signifies a growing trend of locals opting for vacations within their own country instead of traveling abroad.

This trend towards domestic travel is not just a fleeting moment; it reflects broader consumer behavior changes, influenced by factors such as travel restrictions, inflation, and preferences for more natural experiences. This shift emphasizes the importance of camping sites and local tourism in the German economy, potentially impacting future tourism strategies and investment in these areas.