Lusatian Lakeland: number of guests stable - regional differences

5,300 hectares of water for ships and boats from the end of June

The most important foreign market for the region is the Czech Republic. Around 23,000 overnight stays by guests from Saxony's neighboring country correspond to an increase of around 16 percent. In the same period, the number of overnight stays by Polish guests fell by almost 42 percent to 4,399.

At the end of June, the entire Lusatian Lakes Association will be officially opened to shipping traffic. According to the association, five navigable lakes will then be connected by canals for the first time. Previously, only two canals were navigable. Together, the Senftenberger, Geierswalder, Partwitzer, Sedlitzer and Großräschener lakes have a water surface area of around 5,300 hectares for boating. The largest of the five lakes, Lake Sedlitz on the Brandenburg side, is due to open for its first swimming and water sports season at the beginning of May.

Europe's largest artificial lake landscape will then have been created in the former lignite mining area. In total, the Lusatian Lakeland comprises over 20 artificial post-mining lakes. Kathrin Winkler, Managing Director of the association, is hoping for a boost in awareness for the region. At the same time, inflation, price increases for raw materials and energy and the shortage of skilled workers remain major challenges.