German Incoming Tourism Demonstrates Strong Resilience in a Volatile Market Environment

Frankfurt am Main, 15 June 2026 – Despite the ongoing war in the Middle East and the resulting economic uncertainties in key source markets for global tourism, Germany continues to confirm its strong appeal as an international travel destination, according to the German National Tourist Board (GNTB). While domestic tourism in Germany declined in April 2026, preliminary figures from the Federal Statistical Office show that overnight stays by international visitors were 0.6 per cent higher than in April 2025.

Further market data and forecasts point to positive developments for German inbound tourism in the forthcoming summer season. In a survey conducted following the outbreak of the Iran war, the European Travel Commission found an eight per cent increase in consumers’ intentions to travel within Europe. A study conducted by Appinio on behalf of the GNTB confirms growing interest in travel to Germany in the important neighbouring markets of the Netherlands and Belgium.

In the GNTB Travel Industry Expert Panel for the second quarter of 2026, the majority of key accounts from international tour operators assess the outlook for their Germany business over the next six months positively: 53 per cent expect business performance to increase slightly or significantly, while 41 per cent anticipate stable business volumes.

“The outbreak of the war in the Middle East and the associated disruptions to global air traffic have clearly demonstrated both the fragility and the high resilience of our global system,” explains Petra Hedorfer, CEO of the GNTB. “Our Expert Panel shows that people want to travel, but they are booking with a stronger focus on safety, at shorter notice and with a greater preference for nearby destinations. Accordingly, we see opportunities for German inbound tourism in our positioning as a safe, service-oriented quality destination in the heart of Europe and in our very good value for money. This is also confirmed by the latest forecasts from Tourism Economics, which, under a baseline scenario for 2026, indicate growth potential of 1.9 per cent from our European source markets and 4.5 per cent from overseas markets.”