Tourism within home boundaries persists in facing challenges due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic
In a significant decline, Germany's accommodation providers recorded a total of 212.2 million overnight stays from January to August 2020, a decrease of 37.4% compared to the same period in 2019, as announced by the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) on Thursday.
The drop in tourism and accommodation use was primarily caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and its associated restrictions, such as lockdowns, travel bans, and social distancing measures. These factors led to a lower demand for hotels and other accommodations, resulting in a substantial decrease in overnight stays.
Domestic guests accounted for 187.2 million overnight stays from January to August 2020, a decrease of 32.5% compared to the same period in 2019. In August 2020 alone, domestic guests numbered 44.9 million overnight stays, a decrease of 4.7% compared to August 2019.
The decrease in stays from foreign guests was more significant, with a total of 25.0 million overnight stays from January to August 2020, a decrease of 59.3% compared to the same period in 2019. In August 2020, foreign guests registered 4.7 million overnight stays, a decrease of 56.0% compared to the previous year.
The decline in overnight stays was evident across the board, with August 2020 seeing a decrease of 14.2% compared to the same month in 2019. This drop in tourism and accommodation use mirrored a broader European and global trend attributed to the pandemic’s impact on mobility and consumer confidence.
According to Statista data, overnight stays in Germany before the pandemic (2019) were much higher, but in 2020 there was a sharp decline due to lockdowns and travel restrictions implemented to contain the coronavirus spread. Furthermore, some accommodation establishments closed either temporarily or permanently during 2020, reducing supply amid falling demand.
The photo accompanying this article shows a hotel room, via dts News Agency. This decline in tourism and accommodation use is a stark reminder of the economic and social consequences of the ongoing pandemic.
Other lifestyle choices, such as staying home due to safety concerns and travel restrictions, contributed to the substantial decrease in overnight stays. The lower demand for other lifestyle options like travel was a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and its associated measures.
