GNTB draws positive summer balance: German incoming tourism grows during the main travel season 2026

Frankfurt am Main, 13. October 2026 - The travel destination Germany continuously sees a strong demand from abroad throughout the 2026 peak summer season - in the months of June, July, and August. According to preliminary data from the Federal Statistical Office, the number of overnight stays in August rose by around 1,3 percent compared to the previous month, reaching 9,9 million.

With that the incoming tourism demonstrates its resilience in a volatile market: In June, overnight stays increased by 1,3 percent compared to the previous year, in July it was 3,2 percent. From January to August 2026, the Federal Statistical Office cumulatively recorded 57,0 million overnight stays of international guests – a plus of 1,0 percent compared to 2025.

Petra Hedorfer, CEO of the GNTB, explains: “The positive development in the main travel season underlines the high attractiveness and competitiveness of the travel destination Germany. Our strong position in the market is confirmed in an exclusive survey commissioned by the GNTB in 19 countries during the current summer season: Potential travelers perceive Germany as educational, exciting, fascinating, relaxing and romantic. That is reflected in the tourism demand: Even with geographical conflicts and economic instability the German incoming tourism grew – stronger even than the international competition. The development opens opportunities for growth for the upcoming autumn and winter season.”

For the first half of 2026, UN Tourism reports a plus of 0,4 percent in international arrivals compared to the previous year, while in Germany the Federal Statistical Office reported a plus of 1,8 percent during the same time span.