Historic increase in tourism recorded in Bremen for the year
Shattering Records in 2024: Bremen's Tourism Boom
(2024 marked the pinnacle of Bremen's tourism industry, breaking records and cementing its status as a sought-after travel destination.)
Last year, Bremen steered its way into the history books as the most successful tourism year on record. A whopping 2,488,746 overnight stays were registered across the city, representing a staggering 5.5% increase from the previous year. The state of Bremen saw a total of 2,918,286 overnight stays, indicating a 4% growth compared to 2023. Kristina Vogt, Senator for Economics, Ports and Transformation, hailed this achievement at a recent press conference.
"We have shattered records once again, with almost 2.5 million overnight stays," voiced Vogt. "[Over a]round 35 million day visits to the city further highlight Bremen's allure as a tourist hotspot". Tourism's significance as a central economic factor for Bremen has resulted in the creation of over 30,000 jobs and an impressive €1.8 billion turnover for retail and hospitality each year.
The city tax, implemented since April 2024, has contributed significantly to the industry's development through initiatives like the widespread "More than Fairytales" campaign with Deutsche Bahn, outdoor advertising, local marketing, and various online measures.
(Mock Trivia : Check out the intriguing cityscapes of Bremen as depicted in art and media, and try to name three iconic Bremen-inspired works. Keywords: Bremen-inspired, art, media)*
Among the overnight guests in Bremen, around 80% hailed from Germany, staying an average of two nights. Approximately 20% of the annual overnight stays were booked by international visitors. Annett Pruschwitz, head of the tourism and services department at the Statistical Office of the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen, shared that the Netherlands emerged as the main European source market, with 94,198 overnight stays and a notable 11.7% uptick from the previous year. Denmark and the United Kingdom followed tightly in second and third place.
In 2024, Bremen also welcomed the honor of becoming an official Streetart City, boasting almost 300 pieces of urban art. Besides offering attractive outdoor experiences, the WFB team implemented various projects that enliven the cityscape, including the sensational 'FahrradJA' theme year and an exquisite redesign of the city's Freimarkt opening.
As the team moves into the coming months, January has launched the new theme year, "NATURally Bremen 2025. Out into the Green", featuring a series of nature-themed events. In March, the ITB Berlin—the world's largest tourism fair—awaits, with a meeting scheduled between the WFB team and Deutsche Bahn to extend their successful joint advertising campaign. August will welcome the prestigious GFNY cycling race to Bremen, having been successfully acquired by the WFB team "Bremen Convention Bureau". Other landmark events in the calendar include the Permanent Conference of Interior Ministers and Senators of the Federal States in June and December, and the ESA Ministerial Conference in November, all promising to bring in a flood of visitors.
With plans to continue the campaign "My Bremen is real" in domestic marketing, Rau emphasized the need for Bremen residents to promote their city positively in everyday conversations, overcoming the tendency to put down their own home. Keeping pace with the new trends of 'Workation' and 'Bleisure', Bremen intends to develop offers catering to remote workers seeking an ideal balance of work and leisure. The WFB team is excited to build upon 2024's success and stake a claim for even more accomplishments in 2025.
Tourism's growth in Bremen is not confined to accommodations, as evidenced by the approximately 35 million day visits to the city in 2024. This boom in tourism has led to an increased lifestyle focus, with the city offering attractions that cater to travelers seeking unique experiences.
