Tourism: Hamburg optimistic on 2022

25 February 2022

Tourism survey for 2021 published. Hamburg is banking on significant recovery as pandemic measures are eased and desire to travel rises

Hamburg’s tourism sector is looking with confidence to 2022. Expectations of pending loosening of the pandemic restrictions along with dammed up travel lust could lead to a perceptible recovery in overnight bookings, Hamburg Tourismus GmbH has said in a statement. The North Statistics Office had earlier published the Hamburg tourism survey for last year. According to the report, Hamburg posted around 3.3 million guests in overnight accommodation for a total of 7.6 million overnight stays. The figure is some 10 per cent up on the year, but still down 51 per cent compared with the number of overnight stays in 2019, the year before the coronavirus hit.

Hamburg remains a strong drawcard

Despite the severe declines, last year nevertheless revealed Hamburg’s attractions to be a drawcard for tourists, once travel without major restrictions becomes possible, Hamburg Tourismus GmbH believes. By August 2021, overnight figures had again almost reached pre-crisis levels. “Hamburg is a place people long to see and has lost nothing of its attractions,” Hamburg Tourismus GmbH CEO Michael Otremba says. He is anticipating a “strong comeback” for the city in 2022. An increasing number of travel bookings can already be seen in the tourism sector. Rising numbers of guests are expected for the months ahead, of travellers for both leisure and business, with the increase seen earlier this year than last. “A perceptible increase in demand can be seen from March in hotels and also at meetings, conferences and events. In addition, the numerous postponements mean that our trade fair diary is well filled,” Otremba continues.

Tourism as cross-sector player with significant role for Hamburg

The recovery in the overnight stay figures are of great significance to all of Hamburg as a business location, Hamburg Economy Senator Michael Westhagemann emphasises. “Without guests, it is not only the hotels that suffer, but also restaurants, the retail sector, cultural venues, the events sector, river launches and city tours, leisure businesses, public transport and service providers of all kinds.”
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