- Burgeoning tourism sector face Shortage of proficient labor forces
Saxony's tourism sector experiences growth, nevertheless falls short of 2019 figures in the first half of the year. From January to June, roughly 3.7 million tourists stayed for approximately 9.2 million nights. This marks an improvement of 4.6% and 2.6%, as mentioned by the Ministry of Tourism and the State Tourism Association. Tourism Minister Barbara Klepsch (CDU) commented, "Saxony's tourism has regained its edge in success."
Numerous obstacles
The president of the State Tourism Association, Jörg Markert, pointed out that people are drawn to Saxony for its warm hospitality, diverse landscapes, and abundant cultural attractions. However, the tourism industry is grappling with several issues, such as rising costs, diminishing enthusiasm towards spending in the hospitality sector, and a shortage of skilled labor. These problems pose significant hurdles for many businesses.
The growth trend is region-dependent. The Upper Lusatia/Niederschlesien, Saxon Switzerland, Elbland, and Dresden reported noticeable gains in overnight stays, whereas the Erzgebirge and Chemnitz-Zwickau region underperformed compared to the 2023 half-year statistics.
Euro 2022 boosts interest in Saxony
According to the data, international travelers were a primary catalyst for growth. The UEFA European Football Championship may have played a role in this growth spurt. During June alone, the number of foreign tourists increased by approximately a third (31.9%), and the number of overnight stays grew by 29.5%.
The Netherlands witnessed a 80.2% surge in tourist arrivals, according to data from the State Statistical Office. Notable increases were also observed in tourists from the Czech Republic and Croatia. The national teams of these three countries participated in matches in Leipzig in June, driving millions of fans to the region.
Regrettably, Leipzig's overnight accommodation providers did not enjoy the anticipated benefits from the UEFA European Football Championship. Although the number of foreign tourists in the city increased substantially, the number of German tourists decreased compared to the previous year. In the end, Leipzig reported a 10% decline in tourist numbers.
Although Saxony's tourism sector has shown improvement, the growth in the first half of the year falls short of 2019 figures due to various challenges. The tourism industry is facing rising costs, a decline in enthusiasm towards spending in the hospitality sector, and a shortage of skilled labor, which are major obstacles for many businesses within the tourism sector.
