Unexpected lethargy detected in the North Sea during summer season

In the summer of 2025, Germany's Lower Saxony region experienced a unique blend of weather conditions, with July showers giving way to warm, relatively dry months in June and August. This mixed weather pattern had a noticeable impact on tourism and business in popular holiday destinations such as the Harz, Lüneburg Heath, and North Sea.

Despite the temporary improvement in natural conditions due to the heavy rain in July, the dry months that followed likely caused fluctuations in company revenues, particularly those dependent on steady tourist activity. However, the summer season ultimately ended satisfactorily for tourism agencies in these regions.

The state's overnight stay figures for June saw an 8.6% increase compared to the previous year, surpassing the five million mark. The Harz and North Sea regions, in particular, welcomed an influx of international tourists, with Denmark, the Netherlands, and other countries contributing to this trend.

The Lüneburg Heath, known for its scenic beauty, saw an increase in cyclists, while day trips to water-based locations became popular due to the improved weather in the second half of the summer. Occupancy rates on the islands were sometimes at 100%.

Cafés and restaurants in the Harz benefited from guests staying longer or stopping by spontaneously, while museums and nearby cities along the North Sea also saw an uptick in visitors. Mines, thermal baths, and leisure pools in the mid-mountain region of the Harz also reported higher visitor numbers than usual.

The numbers of day-trippers stabilized during the summer holidays in the Harz and at the coast. Autumn, particularly Advent weekends, is a particularly important holiday time in the Harz, with great potential for overnight stays. Price-conscious tourists were more prevalent along the North Sea, indicating a shift in consumer behaviour.

In contrast, some places, such as the Lüneburg Heath, saw fewer day-trippers. However, the guest numbers in the Lüneburg Heath are currently at the level of the previous record year, suggesting a strong recovery.

Looking ahead, there are opportunities for good overnight stay numbers at the coast later in the year, particularly for consumer-friendly guests from Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. As autumn approaches, the inland is becoming increasingly popular with cyclists and hikers, indicating a promising outlook for the tourism industry in Lower Saxony.

Overall, the first half of 2025 was good for tourism in Lower Saxony, with around 20.9 million overnight stays recorded. Hosts, despite a mixed balance sheet due to the lack of day-trippers at the halfway point of the summer, can look forward to a promising end of the year.