Berlin is one of the top European destinations, it is ranked after London and Paris. This German capital is so attractive because of its sightseeing, hip neighbourhoods, galleries, gastronomy, music, fashion, and much more, every visitor can always find something new to discover in Berlin. This is Berlin’s diversity, contrasts, and virtually inexhaustible possibilities that make this destination more attractive and excite visitors from all around the world. however, like many other industries, the Berlin Tourism industry has also faced a hard hit by the Covid-19 pandemic.
In the first quarter of 2023, Berlin’s lodging establishments hosted a cumulative of 2.4 million guests, resulting in 5.8 million overnight stays. This marked a substantial increase of 79.7% in guests and a 64.2% surge in overnight stays compared to the corresponding period in the previous year. Nevertheless, the count of overnight stays remained 17.6% below the figures recorded in the first quarter of 2019, a period unaffected by the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. In the first six months of 2023, the city recorded approximately 13.8 million overnight stays with around 5.7 million visitors. Contrasted with the initial six months of 2022, there was a 23.9% rise in overnight stays and a 30.2% increase in the number of guests. The Berlin tourism industry is expected to achieve most of its pre-pandemic turnover soon.
Now it is the moment every visitor was waiting for. In the Berlin tourism industry, many new trends are emerging and it’s time to go on vacation again for all tourists who would love to visit one of the best tourist destinations, Berlin.
Here, we explain some of the top trends in the Berlin Tourism industry.
Table of contents
Covid-19 and the tourism Industry
Impact on Travel and Tourism
- The global travel industry, which was one of the hardest hit by the pandemic, has recovered alot.
- International tourist arrivals increased by 58% in the three months ended September 30 2023 compared to the same period of 2020 but remained 64% below 2019 levels.
- The UNWTO expects international tourist arrivals to remain 70 to 75% below 2019 levels.
- The online travel market size is expected to reach $407 billion by 2027.
Pre- and post-pandemic trends
- Now in 2023, the tourism industry in Berlin has shown a significant recovery from the pandemic. With 10.4 million guests, twice as many visitors came to Berlin as in 2021 and, with 26.5 million overnight stays, booked 90% more overnight stays than in the previous year. However, the global travel industry is still recovering, with international tourist arrivals remaining 72% below 2019 levels.
- According to forecasts, it is expected that the sector won’t fully recover until 2024.
Locations
- The number of visitors to Berlin is on the rise again in the year 2022 as Berlin attracted significantly more guests this summer than in the previous year.
- Over 9.9 million passengers were registered at the Berlin Brandenburg Airport Willy Brandt in 2023. Nevertheless, it remained under the pre-pandemic level of 34.1 million passengers recorded in 2019.
- In 2022, Berlin hosted 10.4 million visitors with a total of 26.5 million overnight stays in the city’s hotels and accommodations, representing 78% of the pre-crisis levels.
- The Berlin Brandenburg Airport airport experienced a total of 176,649 aircraft departures and landings last year, reflecting a 7.5% upswing from the figures recorded in 2022. In 2019, there were a total of 277,600 take-offs and landings.
- The number of passengers increased by 14% as compared to 2022.
- Globally, source markets with a high potential for outbound travel are Germany, the UK, the USA, China, France, and the Netherlands.
- Around the world, preferred destinations in 2023 were Canada, France, and Germany, followed by Japan and Costa Rica in fourth and fifth place.
- While traditional markets like the US and UK remain important, there’s an increasing focus on attracting tourists from Asia and the Middle East.
Tourism Industry Insight
- Outbound travel in 2023 has surpassed pre-pandemic levels in Europe and the Middle East, exceeding initial projections.
- The UNWTO indicated a 70% rebound in international arrivals by September 2023 instead of 2019.
- By November 2023, the anticipated recovery rate ranged between 80% and 95%, contingent on various factors.
- Interest in business travel over the coming months is stable too.
- Berlin’s tourism industry has successfully implemented various measures to attract visitors, including promoting outdoor activities, cultural events, and sustainable practices.
- The Senate Department for Economics, Energy, and Public Enterprises has developed a 7-point plan to form the strategic basis of the city’s tourism policy
- Transparency about the current situation will be guaranteed for visitors at all times, it means that communication with visitors and tourism service providers during both relaxed and more difficult periods such as lockdowns will be guaranteed at the state and borough levels.
- Berlin’s profile is again consolidated as a safe and reliable travel and conference destination (e.g. the Hygiene Framework Concept of MICE Destination Berlin).
- Now, special support is being given to sustainable tourist mobility and new formats for dialogue and networking between the tourism industry and companies from other sectors such as technology.
- Berlin has one of Europe’s most modern hotel landscapes (with over 143,000 beds).
- New hotels now in planning underline the sector’s belief in the city’s development as a tourism location.
- More support is being given to the hugely important tasks of qualifying and training skilled staff, as well as maintaining and expanding traineeships.
- Berlin has started to support the restart of tourism and improve access to economic funding.
- Local communities are now involved in considerations for sustainable and city-friendly development of tourism.
Contribution of Tourism in Berlin
- Tourism is a key sector in Berlin as it secures jobs for 144,000 people in Berlin and generates sales of at least 14.7 billion €.
- Retail trade in Berlin also benefits from tourism, with tourists accounting for 22% of sales in main shopping areas and malls.
- The retail sector’s share of sales generated by tourism amounts to 5.6 billion €.
- Berlin’s hotel industry reports average daily rate (ADR) is EUR 140.83 and Revenue per available room (RevPAR) is EUR 117.04 according to June 2023.
- Clubs like Berghain, Watergate and Tresor are a “unique selling proposition” for the city.
- Club tourism brings in an estimated €1.2 billion to the city each year.
- Berlin is home to more than 175 museums and around 440 art galleries and many of them contain some of the most important art collections known to the world.
- Berlin clubs welcome easing of restrictions and entertainment and hospitality venues are banking on an upswing.
- In 2023, the Berlin club scene organized 1,200 events, marking a 20% rise compared to the year 2019.
- The Berlin club scene attracts 2.5 million tourists and generates a turnover of 142 million euros per year in 2023
- The “Visit the World of Berlin” summer campaign aimed to showcase the diversity and attractions of the city on both a national and international scale.
- Berlin stands as the sole city globally with three opera houses. The Deutsche Oper, the Staatsoper Unter den Linden, and the Komische Oper collectively offer seating for over 4,400 spectators.
- Travellers are opting for shorter city breaks, with an average stay of 2 nights, compared to longer trips before the pandemic.
- Tourism has an overall positive effect indirectly on the city as an economic location.
- Berlin’s growing wellness scene is attracting visitors with yoga retreats, spa treatments, and healthy dining options.
- Tourism helps to spread an image of Berlin as dynamic with a high quality of life around the globe..
Other tourism trends
- The dynamic developments in the German capital are faster in 2023, many tourist attractions are being renovated and will be reopened now.
- Clubs in Berlin are allowed to open again without restrictions.
- Open-air sights and indoor sights can be visited without restrictions.
- Germany’s tallest building – the TV Tower on Alexanderplatz – is also welcoming visitors again.
- When shopping, as well as when visiting museums and attractions, wearing a mask is not required anymore.
- The obligation to take a test no longer applies, i.e. visitors no longer need to present a negative test or proof of vaccination or convalescence when they visit a restaurant or café.
- All travellers are required to complete a digital registration before entering the country by air or from another country.
- Currently, tourists are allowed without restrictions from six non-EU destinations: Hong Kong, Indonesia, Macao, New Zealand, South Korea, and Taiwan.
- Arrivals from countries not on that list, other than any ones under a temporary travel ban, are allowed if fully vaccinated.
- Berlin Welcome Card is the new facility for all the visitors who visit Berlin. The card is Berlin’s official tourist ticket that comes in variants and prices. This includes all forms of public transport, all buses from TXL are covered. It is worth it. The Berlin Welcome Card is available in different versions: 72 hours for €36, 4 days for €45, 5 days for €49, and 6 days for €54. Plus, all the extra discounts they can rack up
References
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Hello! I am Axel, tripplo.com’s travel savings, deals and discounts expert and founder. I have been in the travel deals and discounts industry for almost a decade now. It’s me who publish and update most of the content and discounts on tripplo.com! I also have a podcast in which I share valuable information about how to get the best travel deals and discounts.
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