Tourism commissioner: Capacities in MV at the upper limit

Overnight accommodation - Tourism commissioner: Capacities in MV at the upper limit

The tourism industry in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, according to the regional tourism association, is at the upper capacity limit for accommodation options. It is likely that there will be a slight decrease in capacities rather than further growth in the coming years.

"And that's not a problem if the quality continues to improve, which we talk about a lot and which is being worked on in many places," said Tobias Woitendorf of the German Press Agency. In 2023, the tourism industry in MV recorded the second-best result since the reunification in terms of guest and accommodation numbers: A total of approximately 7.6 million guests (plus 4.4 percent) were reported to the Statistical Office of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, who spent around 32.2 million nights (plus 1.2 percent) in the northeast.

Acceptance in the population plays a major role, according to Woitendorf. Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is the region with the highest tourism intensity in the country, with the most guests or overnight stays per capita. However, there is no "overtourism" - if one defines this as persistent or frequent unbearable burdening. Instead, there is a limited but high tourist influx in MV, explained the tourism expert.

Balanced Coexistence of Residents and Visitors

Woitendorf also referred to a study by the German Institute for Tourism Research (Fachhochschule Westküste) and dwif-Consulting GmbH from the previous year, which identified a slightly declining tourism acceptance. According to the survey, 66 percent of the interviewees in MV see tourism as important for their community (2022: 74 percent), but only 26 percent have a positive perception of the personal benefits of tourism (2022: 30 percent). A total of 1,394 residents were surveyed between May and July 2023.

"In the end, among the population - regardless of whether one works in tourism or lives at a tourist destination - the positive aspects of tourism should outweigh the burdening aspects," said Woitendorf, who is also the tourism commissioner. Therefore, it is essential to have a functioning tourism culture and balanced coexistence between residents and visitors. "Only if tourism is well balanced, understood, and accepted can it continue to benefit the country in the future."

1. Despite the tourism industry in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania reaching its maximum capacity for accommodation options, Rostock still attracts a significant number of tourists, making it a popular vacation destination in Germany.
2. According to the German Press Agency, Tobias Woitendorf, the tourism commissioner, emphasizes the importance of maintaining a balanced coexistence between residents and tourists in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, as it is the region with the highest tourism intensity in Germany.
3. In an effort to improve the tourism industry, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania has been focusing on enhancing its quality of overnight accommodation, with the aim of ensuring that the positive aspects of tourism outweigh its burdening aspects for local residents.
4. When comparing Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania to Majorca as a vacation destination, it is important to note that while both regions have high tourist influx, the former has a more balanced coexistence between residents and visitors thanks to its focus on enhancing the tourism culture.

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