Tourist Season: Overnight Hotel Stays Up by 5%; Parc Merveilleux Most Visited Site

On Monday 30 September 2024, Luxembourg's Minister of the Economy, SMEs, Energy and Tourism, Lex Delles, presented the results of the 2024 tourist season.

The presentation took place a few days after World Tourism Day (27 September). This year's edition, placed under the theme "Tourism and Peace", aimed to highlight the role of this sector in promoting peace and understanding between nations and cultures.

As reported by the Ministry of the Economy, visitor satisfaction remains "very high", with 96% of tourists recommending Luxembourg as a destination. 91% of visitors said their stay exceeded their expectations and 89% said they plan to return.

Overnight hotel stays increased by 5% between January and July 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, reaching 1,110,625 overnight stays. In addition, the number of arrivals increased by 4%, reflecting a "solid" recovery, particularly in the capital where the occupancy rate exceeded 71%.

On the other hand, the camping sector was impacted by the "difficult" weather conditions, recording a 17% drop in overnight stays in the first half of the year compared to 2023. However, this remains 11% higher than the 2019 figures. The forecasts for August 2024 show a slight recovery with an occupancy rate of 86%, and positive expectations for the rest of the year.

The ministry added that the "Lëtzebuerg, dat ass Vakanz!" campaign, the many hiking trails, the "Vëlosummer" and various tourist activities offered by the regional tourist offices and the Luxembourg City Tourist Office (LCTO) have strengthened the attractiveness of Luxembourg as a destination, particularly for residents. The number of stays by Luxembourg residents in tourist accommodation increased by 32% compared to 2019, highlighting the growing interest in domestic tourism.

Minister Delles also stressed the importance of investments in tourism infrastructure. As part of the 11th five-year plan (2023-2027), a budget of €70 million has been allocated. Since January 2023, 115 projects have been granted, amounting to €9.1 million. These investments are aimed at supporting the development of the sector, with projects such as the renovation of the Vianden swimming pool, a new concept for the aviation museum, the marking of the "Guttland Trail" in Lintgen, the enhancement of the Marie-Astrid boat in Schengen and the modernisation of Parc Merveilleux in Bettembourg, which remains the most visited destination in the country with 247,982 visitors counted between January and August 2024 alone. Vianden Castle (198,895 visitors) and the Mullerthal Trail (160,269 visitors) rounded out the top 3 most visited tourist sites.

At the same time, the digitalisation of the tourism sector is progressing. The VisitLuxembourg app recorded 32,738 downloads between January and August 2024, while the "Vëlosummer-Challenge" mobilised "many" participants, strengthening visitors' engagement around cycling and outdoor activities.

Minister Delles commented: "With overall positive results in 2024, Luxembourg confirms its place as an attractive tourist destination, both for residents and international visitors. Efforts will continue in the coming years to strengthen this momentum, with a focus on the quality of the tourist experience, inclusion and the preservation of heritage. Tourism is not only an economic driver, but also a key factor for the quality of life and reputation of our country abroad. We will continue our efforts to offer unique and inclusive experiences, while supporting sustainable and innovative growth in the sector for years to come."

The minister also announced the 2025 edition of the Luxembourg Tourism Awards, which will reward the most innovative and best projects in the sector.