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Harz tourism in distress: fewer bookings thanks to rain and crisis!
The Harz region is seeing less tourism due to bad weather, while short-term bookings are increasing. Skilled workers and costs burden.
Harz tourism in distress: fewer bookings thanks to rain and crisis!
The Harz region attracts many visitors from all over Germany every year, especially during the warm summer months. But while the sun usually brings the heartwarming of tourism, this year things are very different. News38 reports that the persistently bad weather is leaving its mark and tourist numbers are declining sharply. Hoteliers and catering establishments feel the effects of these adverse weather conditions particularly clearly.
Rene Maksimcev, hotelier from Güntersberge and vice president of Dehoga Saxony-Anhalt, says that the booking situation this year is rather subdued. “Long-term bookings of five to seven nights are almost completely missing,” says Maksimcev. Instead, people tend to book at short notice, meaning many rooms that are normally fully booked during peak season are still available at the moment.
Decrease in overnight stays
The numbers speak for themselves. In 2024 there were around 8 million overnight stays in the Harz, which corresponds to a decrease of around 1.3% compared to the previous year. Radio SAW reports that the managing director of the Harz Tourism Association, Carola Schmidt, cites the weather as a main reason for this decline. Nevertheless, she remains optimistic: “Harz tourism is resilient to crises,” says Schmidt.
Another point is the decline in overnight accommodations. In the last five years, more than 3,000 beds have been dismantled in the Harz region of Saxony-Anhalt. This information comes from statistics from the Harz Tourism Association, which also notes that the recording only takes into account establishments with 11 beds or more. This means that smaller hotels and guesthouses that accommodate many guests do not appear in the statistics, as Andreas Meling, managing director of Wernigerode Tourismus GmbH, explains.
Changes in booking behavior
“The economic situation and reduced purchasing power have had a major impact on guests’ booking behavior,” says Maksimcev. More and more people are choosing to book via online portals, where it is often possible to cancel at short notice. This leads to more cancellations at the affected locations and further complicates the situation.
Despite the challenges, Maksimcev remains optimistic. The Harz still has a lot to offer and is an attractive destination for active holidaymakers - this should not be lost sight of. “We just have to have a good hand and play our magic,” he explains rightly.
However, the industry continues to face major challenges. Rising costs and a shortage of skilled workers are affecting operators, and changing booking habits are making planning even more difficult. Statistics from German tourism show that the monthly survey of overnight stays is an important source of information for economic developments in the accommodation industry. But whether the numbers will recover soon remains to be seen.