Tourism - Harz, heath and coast report many bookings
Last-minute decision-makers who want to travel over Christmas or New Year's Eve still have a chance of finding accommodation in Lower Saxony's vacation regions. Many hotels, guesthouses and vacation apartments in the Lüneburg Heath, the Harz Mountains and on the North Sea coast are already well or very well booked for the turn of the year, according to a survey of the vacation regions by the German Press Agency. However, those who want to travel spontaneously can still find available accommodation, it said. However, tourists are concerned about rising prices and the withdrawal of the VAT reduction.
Vacation apartments still available on the coast in particular
According to the North Sea Tourism Agency(Tano), accommodation on the North Sea coast of Lower Saxony is currently between 70 and 90 percent fully booked. Some guests only arrive between the holidays, but some come specifically for Christmas, a spokeswoman said. Others also stayed over New Year's Eve and attended the New Year's Eve parties by the sea.
Anyone spontaneously looking for a break on the coast will still be able to find accommodation almost everywhere, including on the islands. The spokesperson went on to say that there is still free capacity, especially in vacation apartments and vacation homes. However, these are usually not available for one night only. In places directly on the coast, however, things could get tight. The occupancy rate there is already "very high" over the holidays, it said. Holidaymakers can find booking options via the tourist information offices.
According to the agency, the occupancy rate on the coast is roughly the same as last year - even if the number of bookings tends to be slightly lower. The tourism experts see several reasons for this. For example, there is greater competition with trips abroad and a reluctance to book due to price increases.
First snow in the Harz Mountains led to more bookings
Hosts in the Harz Mountains are satisfied with the overall booking situation, according to a spokeswoman for the tourism association. However, as in previous vacation periods, there is still capacity for last-minute bookings. The region is currently attracting holidaymakers with its Christmas markets, among other things. "Even before the first Advent, the December weekends were therefore already very well booked in the larger Harz towns such as Goslar," said the spokeswoman. For the Upper Harz, demand increases from Christmas Eve.
Due to the early snow at the end of November, bookings for the period between the holidays have increased once again. In general, however, snow is not the main reason for winter vacationers in the Harz. "Many people use the vacations and vacations between the years to take a break in the Harz Mountains and plan to do so from late summer," said the spokesperson.
Hosts are concerned about the withdrawal of the VAT reduction in the hospitality industry on January 1. "Price increases will certainly be unavoidable and the uncertainty of what consequences this will have for the coming financial year is causing existential fears for many," said the spokesperson.
New Year's hikes are a tradition in the Heath
The Lüneburg Heath also advertises its secluded hiking trails in winter. "We are the little break from everyday life," says the Managing Director of Lüneburger Heide GmbH, Ulrich von dem Bruch. The accommodation is well booked during the vacations, and even fully booked on New Year's Eve. "A lot of people come to us at Christmas who would otherwise have to cook and organize family celebrations." Winter hiking and clearing their heads is the main goal of holidaymakers, who stay for an average of three days.
Guided New Year's hikes on the Heidschnuckenweg have become a tradition. The three tours lead through the Weseler Heide, the Oberoher Heide and around the Wilseder Berg. They are between four and six kilometers long and start at 1 p.m. on 1 January.
The trend is also confirmed for the first few months of 2024: the first quarter of this year has already increased by 30 percent compared to the record in 2022, with a total of 800,000 overnight stays, says von dem Bruch. He expects a price increase of ten to twelve percent, mainly due to higher purchase prices in restaurants. The shortage of staff in the hotel and restaurant industry will certainly lead to further restrictions in the new year.
Lüneburg Heath Tourism Region Harz East Frisian Islands Tourism Agency North Sea New Year's hikes in the Heath
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- Spontaneous travelers looking for accommodations on Christmas Day or New Year's Eve in the North Sea Tourism Agency's region, which includes the North Sea coast of Lower Saxony, would still find some availability, especially in vacation apartments and homes.
- Many tourists are concerned about rising prices and the withdrawal of the VAT reduction in the hospitality industry, impacting their booking decisions for their vacations in Lower Saxony.
- The spa town of Wilhelmshaven, located on the North Sea coast, offers a range of gastronomic experiences for vacationers wanting to indulge during their stays in Lower Saxony.
- A spokesperson from the North Sea Tourism Agency revealed that there are still about 10% of accommodations available for those planning a last-minute getaway to the Lüneburg Heath, the Harz Mountains, or the North Sea coast.
- In the Christmas market city of Goslar, nestled in the Harz Mountains, last-minute bookings remain possible due to the high demand for accommodation during the holiday season.
- While winter vacationers may not be primarily drawn to the Harz Mountains for snow, the early snowfall in late November has helped boost bookings for the period between Christmas and New Year's Eve.
- Lüneburg, a historic city located in Lower Saxony, is also welcoming tourism during the end-of-year season, with many travelers choosing to spend Christmas Day and New Year's Eve in this charming destination.
- Tourists seeking a hiking vacation on Christmas Day can enjoy the secluded trails in the Lüneburg Heath, taking part in guided New Year's hikes on popular trails such as the Heidschnuckenweg.
Source: www.stern.de
