Slight decline in the number of tourists in Saxony

The number of tourists in Saxony has fallen slightly this year. After a successful 2024 with around 20 million overnight stays, around 19.3 million are expected by the end of the year, reported the "Sächsische Zeitung" and the "Leipziger Volkszeitung" with reference to the state tourism association. From January to October, hotels, guesthouses and campsites in Saxony counted almost 6.7 million guests and 16.7 million overnight stays - two percent less than in the same period last year.

Minister: Tourism is not a sure-fire success

"The tourism year 2025 clearly shows that tourism in Saxony is not a sure-fire success, but the result of hard work," Tourism Minister Barbara Klepsch (CDU) was quoted as saying. However, Saxony is on the same good level as 2023.

Chemnitz and region benefit from European Capital of Culture title

According to the figures, all travel regions are reporting fewer holidaymakers - with one exception. More than 493,000 guests have visited the Chemnitz/Zwickau region so far this year. They booked more than one million overnight stays, which corresponds to an increase of eleven percent. This means that the title of European Capital of Culture 2025 was a win-win situation for Chemnitz and the region. This year's events attracted a total of around two million people to the region.

In Dresden and Leipzig, on the other hand, the number of tourists fell, it said. In the first ten months, the state capital recorded just under 1.8 million visitors (-4.5 percent) and 3.7 million overnight stays (-2.1 percent). The lack of major events this year is also seen as a reason for this. In 2024, Leipzig was able to benefit from the European Football Championships, while Dresden and the surrounding area benefited from the anniversary of the painter Caspar David Friedrich and several major concerts.

Saxony is considered a destination for a second or third vacation

In contrast to coastal and mountain regions, Saxony is considered a country for a second or third vacation. "Short breaks, excursions and city breaks in particular, which play a central role in Saxon tourism, are increasingly being postponed or canceled altogether due to the current economic situation," said the state tourism association. Companies are struggling with significantly increased energy and personnel costs as well as high taxes. At the same time, guests are spending less money. In addition, competition is growing in neighboring countries such as Poland and the Czech Republic.