On Thursday 24 August 2023, Luxembourg's Minister of Tourism, Lex Delles, presented the 2023 tourism report (to date), first presenting the statistics concerning the evolution of tourist figures which show that the tourism sector is growing.
According to the first indicators of the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (Statec), the number of overnight stays for the first six months of this year is higher than for the same period in 2022 (+6%). The figures for 2019, the pre-crisis year, have not yet been achieved over all of these six months, but the trend for the months of April, May and June suggests the continuation of significant growth, in particular in the hotel industry. Indeed, between April and June 2023, overnight stays in hotels increased by 2% compared to 2022 (+1% compared to 2019) and overnight stays at campsites were up by 2% (-4% compared to to 2019).
The top tourist destinations between January - June 2023 have been the Parc Merveilleux in Bettembourg (144,153 visitors), followed by the Chateau de Vianden (93,979 visitors) and the Mullerthal Trail (91,773 visitors). Other popular tourist attractions included the Casemates (Pétrusse & Bock: 56,305 visitors from June to August 2023) and the Grand Ducal Palace (140 people daily).
Following a year 2020 strongly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the sector has therefore succeeded in consolidating its competitiveness thanks to its innovative spirit and thanks to various measures from the General Directorate of Tourism, including the support fund for non-profit associations, accommodation vouchers of €50, the reorganisation of the walking circuits ("auto-pedestre"), the "Vëlosummer" cyclo-tourism programme, the "VisitLuxembourg" application, the "Luxembourg Tourism Awards" and the "Lëtzebuerg, dat ass Vakanz!” initiative. Added to this is the development of a new tourism strategy. Under the “Mënschen, Regiounen an Ekonomie” initiative, the strategy aims to actively develop the positive effects of tourism.
Minister Delles indicated in this regard that “statistics show that interest in the tourist destination of Luxembourg continues to grow among tourists, residents and cross-border workers. The success of a destination is not only measured through quantitative performance indicators, it is also important to us that tourism has a positive impact on the quality of life. This is why the quality of the experiences lived in Luxembourg is decisive for us”.
The 2023 edition of the promotional campaign “Lëtzebuerg, dat ass Vakanz!” under the theme of "active tourism" is a good illustration of this objective. In collaboration with the Regional Tourist Offices, quality tourist products have been developed, highlighting the strengths and specificities of each region. “Éislek Wanderlust”, “Gutt Ënnerwee op de Guttland-Trails”, “En Dag an der Natur an um Minett-Trail” or the “Picknick am Wéngert” have thus promoted the hiking trails and varied landscapes of Luxembourg. In addition, “comfort hiking trails” have been developed in this context and were inaugurated this summer, which meet the needs of all visitors including people with reduced mobility, the elderly and families.
In order to make the experience of active tourism even more attractive, "challenges" which make it possible to collect points and win prizes associated with a hiking trail or a cycle route have been integrated into the "VisitLuxembourg" application.
