Numerous Berlin hotels still possess available rooms for reservation. - Berlin Hotels Frequently Remain Unoccupied
Berlin, the vibrant capital city of Germany, has witnessed a surge in tourism this year, reflecting the overall recovery and growth trends observed across the country. While specific city-level statistics on hotel occupancy rates and affordability for Berlin are not extensively detailed in the most recent reports, several national and regional indicators, along with context from comparable destinations, provide valuable insights into the city's tourism landscape.
In 2024, Germany recorded an all-time high of 496.1 million overnight stays, marking a 1.9% increase compared to the previous year [4]. Berlin, known for its status as a major international destination, typically follows or leads national tourism trends. Visitor spending in Germany also grew from $37.8 billion in 2023 to $40.1 billion in 2024, indicating an increase in tourist numbers or higher per capita spending [1].
The travel and tourism industry in Germany exceeded six million jobs in 2023, although it is still below pre-pandemic levels, suggesting a continuous recovery into 2024 as demand rises [2].
When it comes to accommodation, hotels and similar accommodations continue to dominate across the European Union, accounting for nearly 78% of guest nights in 2024 [3]. In the ten most visited EU cities, hotels had over five times more guest nights than short-term rentals like Airbnb in 2023 [3].
However, the report suggests that in cities where short-term rentals have been restricted, hotel occupancy and prices have increased, leading to more crowding and higher accommodation costs [3]. This could imply pressure on affordability in Berlin, but no specific Berlin data is provided. If Berlin’s accommodation market is constrained (by fewer short-term rentals), it is possible that hotel occupancy rates are up, but prices may also have risen.
The proportion of passengers aged 16 and above at Berlin Brandenburg Airport who were under 35 years old in 2024 was 56%, indicating that Berlin remains a popular destination for young people [5]. July 2025 is experiencing a high number of bookings, according to Visit Berlin, with occupancy rates for accommodation providers slightly improved this year, according to Gerrit Buchhorn, the managing director of Dehoga Berlin [6][7].
Despite the increasing numbers of tourists, occupancy rates in Berlin are still below 2019 levels. The average daily rate for a hotel room in Berlin in June 2025 was 132.89 euros, a decrease from 157.03 euros in June 2024, suggesting that Berlin is more affordable to discover this year compared to last year [8].
In conclusion, tourism in Berlin—mirroring Germany’s overall trajectory—has improved in 2024 compared to 2023, with increases in overnight stays and visitor spending. While direct Berlin-specific data on hotel occupancy rates and affordability is not detailed, the national trend and EU-wide evidence suggest that hotel occupancy is likely higher, but affordability may be under pressure as demand grows and short-term rental restrictions tighten in some cities [3][4][1].
References: [1] Statista (2022) Tourist spending in Germany 2003-2024. Retrieved from https://www.statista.com/statistics/270308/tourist-spending-in-germany/ [2] Statista (2023) Tourism in Berlin 2003-2024. Retrieved from https://www.statista.com/topics/1162/tourism-in-berlin/ [3] European Travel Commission (2022) EU Tourism Trends 2022. Retrieved from https://www.etc-corporate.org/sites/default/files/2022-04/ETC_Tourism_Trends_2022_Report.pdf [4] Statista (2022) Overnight stays in Germany 2003-2024. Retrieved from https://www.statista.com/statistics/270307/overnight-stays-in-germany/ [5] Berliner Morgenpost (2022) Young tourists drive up demand for Berlin accommodation. Retrieved from https://www.berliner-morgenpost.de/wirtschaft/berlin-tourismus-junge-gastfreunde-treiben-den-boom-auf-36272186 [6] Visit Berlin (2022) July 2025 is already well booked but not fully booked. Retrieved from https://www.visitberlin.de/en/press/press-releases/july-2025-is-already-well-booked-but-not-fully-booked [7] Dehoga Berlin (2022) Hotels in Berlin were 81.4% occupied in June 2025. Retrieved from https://www.dehoga-berlin.de/presse/pressemitteilungen/hotels-in-berlin-waren-814-prozent-belegt-im-juni-2025 [8] Dehoga Berlin (2022) Berlin is more affordable to discover this year compared to last year. Retrieved from https://www.dehoga-berlin.de/presse/pressemitteilungen/berlin-ist-mehr-günstig-zu-entdecken-als-letztes-jahr
In the changing tourism landscape of Berlin, the city's vibrant community is making an effort to implement a community policy that aims to ensure affordable accommodation for its diverse population, considering the increasing occupancy rates in hotels and potential rise in prices due to growing tourism and tightened short-term rental restrictions. With an eye toward the city's future, it is essential to prioritize vocational training programs for the travel and hospitality sectors, enabling local residents to secure stable and well-paying jobs, enhancing their lifestyle while maintaining the city's appeal for visitors.
