Germany inbound tourism sector recorded positive results during the first six months of 2026 despite a volatile global market environment. According to provisional figures from the Federal Statistical Office, international overnight stays increased by 1.6 per cent in June 2026 compared with June 2025.
Overall, Germany registered 36.4 million international overnight stays during the first half of 2026, representing year-on-year growth of 0.5 per cent. According to MKG International, hotel occupancy also increased by 1.2 percentage points to 65.5 per cent during the same period.
India continues to contribute positively to Germany’s inbound tourism performance. Maintaining the previous year’s strong level with a marginal increase of 0.1 per cent. Germany’s major urban destinations continue to attract a significant share of Indian visitors. The country’s ten leading city destinations accounted for approximately 61 per cent of all Indian overnight stays.
Romit Theophilus, Director – Marketing & Sales Office, India, GNTO, said, “India remains an important and highly promising source market for Destination Germany. The stable performance during the first five months of 2026, demonstrates the resilience of Indian travel demand despite geopolitical uncertainty and changing economic conditions. Indian travellers are increasingly seeking safe, well-connected destinations that offer authentic cultural experiences, premium hospitality and excellent value. Germany is strongly positioned to meet these expectations, with its diverse cities, heritage, natural landscapes and efficient public transport network.”
He added: “The Indian audience for Germany is also young and experience-driven, with an average traveller age of 38 years. Around 95 per cent of Indian travellers to Germany are below the age of 55, highlighting the market’s significant long-term potential. We remain optimistic about continued demand during the second half of 2026.”
Strong interest in German cities and regions
Munich led with around 150,000 overnight stays, followed by Berlin with 123,000 and Frankfurt with 109,000. Hamburg, Stuttgart, Düsseldorf, Sindelfingen, Cologne, Nuremberg and Erlangen were also among the most visited destinations.
At regional level, the five leading federal states accounted for approximately 87 per cent of Indian overnight stays. These figures reflect strong demand for city breaks, cultural and heritage experiences, business travel, shopping, culinary tourism and multi-destination itineraries.
Positive outlook for the second half of 2026
The GNTB believes that further growth remains possible during the second half of the year. A preliminary evaluation of the latest GNTB Travel Industry Expert Panel shows a significantly more optimistic outlook for the third quarter. Currently, 46 per cent of international travel industry decision-makers rate their Germany business positively, an increase of 21 per cent compared with the previous quarter. Looking ahead, 53 per cent expect their business situation to develop positively over the next six months.
The latest European Travel Commission Monitoring Sentiment for Intra-European Travel, published in May 2026, further supports this outlook. The proportion of Europeans planning to travel between June and November increased by four percentage points year on year to 81 per cent.
Against this backdrop, Germany’s central location, extensive connectivity, attractive value for money and strong reputation as a safe and reliable destination provide a solid foundation for continued inbound tourism growth. For Indian travellers in particular, Germany offers a compelling combination of vibrant cities, historic attractions, nature, premium experiences and convenient onward connections across Europe.
