1/5/2009

2008 vacation figures: number of tourists in Bavaria estimated at nearly 27 million / Bavaria’s Economics Minister Zeil expects fifth record in succession

MUNICH Bavaria is about to clock up its fifth record in succession for the number of guests coming to the State. Bavaria’s Minister of Economic Affairs, Martin Zeil, is assuming that nearly 27 million tourists visited Germany’s Number One tourist state in 2008 – that is roughly half a million more than in the year before. In all probability, overnight stays will also have gone up by nearly one million to over 77 million. "In view of the more difficult framework conditions such as the worldwide economic slowdown and the high rate of the euro this is an extremely respectable result. This year, the white-and-blue tourist offers were convincing right across the board", Zeil said.

Although the Minister does not anticipate a bright outlook for Bavaria’s tourist industry in 2009, it does not look too gloomy either. "In some sectors, like business tourism for example, we will certainly have to expect harder times also for Bavarian companies. On the other hand, I do see opportunities for domestic travel", commented Zeil. On the whole, he thought a slight plus would therefore be possible in the new year. "The tourism industry in Bavaria is sound and robust. In the current, by no means easy, economic climate, it will act as a stable anchor for business development", the Minister confirmed.

According to the official statistics currently available, the number of guests visiting Bavaria in the first ten months of 2008 went up by 1.8 percent. Over the same period, overnight stays increased by 1.2 percent. On aggregate, the number of guests is well above the published statistics, because these figures only include overnight stays in guesthouses and hotels with more than eight beds and on campsites. They do not reflect the overnight stays in smaller accommodation facilities, holiday flats and with relatives and friends. The exact numbers of overnight stays for the whole of 2008 will probably be released in mid-February.

Source: Invest in Bavaria

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