Luxembourg for Tourism figures for 2018 Jan-Jun; Credit: MECO

At a press conference on Wednesday 8 August 2018, Luxembourg's Secretary of State for the Economy, Francine Closener, presented the tourism report for the first half of 2018, based on surveys carried out and the figures provided by the Luxembourg for Tourism Agency (LfT), with campsite and youth hostel statistics showing a healthy growth.

With more than 3 million overnight stays for all accommodation sectors last year, the figures for the first half of 2018 confirm the very positive evolution of the sector and are consistent with the progression observed in previous years. The increase in overnight stays of +4% for all accommodation sectors is mainly due to an increase of +15% for campsites + 10% for youth hostels. Tourist attractions in Luxembourg also enjoyed strong attendance during the first six months, including the Bettembourg park welcoming 145,308 visitors (+11%) and the Mudam at 59,709 visitors (+42%).

Secretary of State Closener said "The promotion and professionalisation of the sector, which focuses on qualitative and sustainable tourism, anchored in our strategy for the development of the sector by 2022, contributed to a positive balance sheet for the first six months of 2018 and confirms Luxembourg as a tourist destination of choice."

Tourism Innovation Award

Following the presentation of the tourism report, the Secretary of State made an inventory of current tourism projects. As part of the "Tourism Innovation Award", a total of 31 dossiers were submitted for the two categories "Smart Tourism" and "Circular Economy and Sustainable Tourism". The 6 finalists of these categories as well as all the projects of the candidates for the public prize are described on https://tourisminnovation.lu/.

The general public will be invited to vote online until 9 September for their favourite project. The winners of this first edition will be announced during the "Awards Night" at the end of September.

Guide for one Day

The 2nd edition "Guide for one Day", which will be held from 30 June to 15 September 2018, is a great success: 77 guides have been recorded, 33 volunteer guides have proposed tours, visits or hikes and the initiative counts on 370 participants.

The first edition of a Bicycle Day in the Mullerthal region organised by the Ministry of the Economy with the support of ORT Mullerthal will take place on 16 September 2018. Just before the start of the school year, a 30 km circuit invites all the family to discover the Mullerthal region with bicycles on bike lanes and barred roads for cars.
The new promotional film of the destination Luxembourg, directed by Frank Weber in collaboration with Beryl Koltz was also previewed.

Following the press conference, Secretary of State Closener visited the Hunnegkëscht rooftop hives of the Hotel Sofitel Kirchberg as part of the annual tourist hike, one of the Tourism Innovation Award nominees, the unusual "MushRooms" accommodation in Useldange and the Villa Collart being renovated with a view to its development for gastronomic and tourist purposes in Steinfort.


Photo by MECO, (L-R): Francine Closener, Secretary of State; Dr. Sebastian Reddeker, Luxembourg for Tourism​