The German tourism industry recorded continuous growth in overnight stays during the first five months of 2026, driven primarily by stable domestic demand. According to data from the Federal Statistical Office, accommodation establishments registered a total of 175,1 million overnight stays from January to May of this year, representing a new record high for the reporting period.
This growth, however, reflects an uneven dynamic between domestic and international travel. While domestic demand is increasing, the segment of foreign visitors has stagnated over the same period. Despite this positive volume trend, the hotel and accommodation industry faces significant economic challenges characterized by rising operating costs and staff shortages.
Detailed analysis of overnight stay data for the first third of the year
Official statistics for the period from January to May 2026 show moderate but continuous growth. With 175,1 million overnight stays, the figure exceeded that of the previous year by 1,3 percent. Compared to the previous record high from 2024, there was also an increase of 0,4 percent. These figures illustrate that the German accommodation sector has consolidated at a stable level after the volatile periods of previous years. The driving force behind this trend remains the interest in domestic travel.
A more detailed analysis of the countries of origin reveals a clear picture. Overnight stays by domestic guests rose by 1,6 percent in the first five months of the year compared to the same period last year, reaching a volume of 146,3 million. In contrast, the segment of international visitors developed much more modestly. Here, only a minimal increase of 0,3 percent was recorded, amounting to 28,7 million overnight stays in absolute terms. While international tourism to Germany has thus returned to stable levels, it shows a noticeable slowdown in growth compared to domestic tourism.
Focus on the dynamics of the travel month of May
The industry received a strong boost in May, which was boosted by public holidays and long weekends. In May 2026, accommodation establishments reported a total of 49,2 million overnight stays. This represents an increase of 3,8 percent compared to May 2025. This positive development is almost entirely attributable to the behavior of domestic travelers. The number of overnight stays by domestic guests rose by 4,6 percent in May compared to the same month of the previous year, reaching 41,7 million.
In contrast, international tourism experienced a slight decline in the same month. Overnight stays by international guests decreased by 0,5 percent in May 2026, falling to 7,5 million. Industry observers attribute this development to changing travel patterns within Europe and increased price sensitivity among international travelers. Germany faces stiff competition in May from southern European destinations, which often offer more stable weather conditions at this time of year and are very active in international marketing.
Structural factors for the growth in domestic tourism
The continued interest in domestic holidays can be attributed to various structural and economic factors. Given the uncertain overall economic situation and rising living costs, many consumers in Germany are inclined to plan shorter trips over shorter distances. Avoiding expensive flights abroad benefits domestic tourism, particularly in rural areas, along the coasts, and in the Alps. The flexibility offered by traveling by train or private vehicle is valued by many respondents.
The distribution of overnight stays within Germany reveals significant regional disparities. While coastal states like Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Schleswig-Holstein, as well as the southern regions of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, benefit from stable demand, some low mountain ranges and smaller towns are struggling with stagnant visitor numbers. The choice of accommodation type is also shifting. Although hotels still account for the majority of bookings, the growth in the holiday home and campsite sector often exceeds that of traditional accommodation providers in percentage terms. This shift suggests that holidaymakers are increasingly seeking individual and flexible forms of travel that allow for greater autonomy in their daily holiday experience.
Economic burdens are dampening the spirit of optimism.
Although the raw overnight stay figures look promising, the German Hotel and Restaurant Association (Dehoga) warns against premature optimism. In the current economic climate, high occupancy rates are no guarantee of profitability for businesses. The hospitality industry is facing a sustained wave of rising costs. In particular, expenses for food, energy, and property maintenance have increased significantly in recent years and cannot be passed on to customers in full without jeopardizing demand.
Another key problem is the shortage of workers. Many businesses are forced to artificially restrict their capacity, introduce days off, or reduce their services due to staff shortages in the kitchen, service, or housekeeping. This means that despite high demand, the full revenue potential cannot be realized. Increased personnel costs, driven by negotiated wage increases and competition for qualified staff, further strain hotel operators' balance sheets.
International competitiveness in focus
The slight decline in international tourism of 0,5 percent in May 2026 further illustrates that Germany faces challenges in the international competition for tourist destinations. Increased travel and accommodation costs compared to destinations in Eastern Europe or outside Europe play a role. To ensure long-term attractiveness to international visitors, the tourism infrastructure requires continuous adaptation. A stable public transport system, reliable connections to rural holiday regions, and progressive digitalization of the booking process are essential factors for remaining competitive with other European destinations.
Further development will therefore depend significantly on how well businesses manage to maintain an attractive price-performance ratio despite rising costs and to attract new customer groups both domestically and internationally. It remains to be seen whether this positive trend in the domestic market will continue throughout 2026, particularly during the peak summer months. Many holiday regions in Germany remain highly dependent on summer weather conditions. Furthermore, business tourism, a key revenue driver for city hotels in particular, has still not returned to its previous levels. The increasing digitalization of business processes and the reduction of travel budgets in many companies are leading to a rise in meetings and conferences taking place online.