DACH Hospitality Statistics 2023: Key Insights and Trends

The latest 2023 DACH hospitality statistics, including exclusive TrustYou and third-party data.  

TrustYou DACH Hospitality Statistics Q4 2023

#1 Review Volume at 92% Compared to 2019

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Q3 2023 DACH review volume reached 91.4% of the pre-pandemic levels and recorded a 3.2% increase compared to Q4 2022.

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The German Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) wraps up the year 2023 with preliminary results and announced that Germany has almost left the Corona crisis behind. Accommodation providers recorded 487.2 million overnight stays. This was 8.1% more than in 2022 and 1.7% less than in 2019, the year before the coronavirus pandemic. In December 2023, accommodation providers recorded 9.2% more overnight stays than in December 2022. 

Statistics Austria also recorded a very successful year with 10.4 % more overnight stays than 2022 mainly due to a growth in overnight stays by guests from abroad of +13.5 %. In December 2023, 11.38 million overnight stays were registered, an increase of 5.5 % compared to December of the previous year. 
Switzerland registered a total of 38.5 million overnight stays from January to November 2023, which represents + 9.0% compared to the same period in the previous year. First estimations for December 2023 show +4.3 in overnight stays compared to December 2022. It is expected that the year 2023 will be the most successful year in the history of Swiss tourism.

#2 DACH Hotels Continue Receiving a Lot of Praise from Their Guests

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95% of the DACH guest reviews are positive.

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The proportion of positive feedback remains high in the DACH region. Throughout Q1-Q3 2023, this number ranged from 94% to 96%, indicating a consistent focus on quality, guest satisfaction, and improvement. 

Industry Wrap-Up - DACH Hospitality Statistics Q4 2023

#4 Spotlight on Germany

Tourism is still a driver of growth and employment in Germany; especially in rural regions. The recovery of the tourism industry is essential for a striving economy. The daily expenses increased remarkably in the tourism industry by 18% in Germany in 2023 compared to 2022. International tourism grew notably, with 5.5 million international overnight stays in accommodation establishments with at least ten beds in November 2023 - an increase of 7.8% compared to the same month last year.

BTW has noted that the pandemic has led to a digitalization push in numerous areas e.g. options for providing digital advice to customers, newly introduced or optimized online reservation options for restaurants and attractions, or simply improving the online presence. QR codes were also unknown to most businesses and guests. dwif identified 3 main challenges of the hospitality industry in 2023: cost of energy and goods, shortage of skilled labor/labor costs, and general conditions of the economic policy. 

#5 Spotlight on Austria

Vienna’s tourism industry celebrates its second-best result ever in 2023 with 17.3 million overnight stays. The increase compared to 2022 amounted to 31 %. In Austria, almost 74 % percent of overnight stays are attributable to guests from abroad. The current winter season has gotten off to a good start, with overnight stays in the first third up 5.6% on the same period (November & December) last year at 16.56 million. 

A noticeable trend in Austria during the summer and winter seasons is the demand for sustainability, nature, and biodiversity. Despite challenging times, Austria remains very popular as a winter sports destination among domestic and, above all, foreign guests. Last season, there were 24% more overnight stays than in 2021/22. Climate change poses a big challenge for winter sports destinations. The focus is on making ski tourism more sustainable. As an example, the proportion of renewable energy in ski resorts is at  90%. 

#6 Spotlight on Switzerland

Switzerland Tourism announced that 2023 will likely hit a record number of overnight stays by tourists. From May to October, almost 24 million overnight stays were recorded. The main reasons are a boom of foreign guests - mainly from China and the US -  coming back as often as before after the coronavirus pandemic and that the Swiss are still eager to spend their vacations at home. 

It was noticeable that costs are rising for the industry. Therefore, most companies have increased prices compared to last year and passed on some of the rising costs for energy, personnel, and general inflation to customers. 

A strong focus in Switzerland is mobility, with an excellent public transport network and attractive non-motorized transport options. The main challenge is to motivate visitors to choose public transport and the sustainable design of increasing mobility. 

TrustYou DACH Hospitality Statistics Q3 2023

#1 Review Volume Just 2% Shy Behind 2019 Numbers

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Q3 2023 DACH review volume reached 98% of the pre-pandemic levels and recorded a 6.7% increase compared to Q3 2022.

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This quarter, the review volume evolution reflects a similar trajectory to other tourism indicators. 

The German Federal Statistical Office reports a 1.4% increase in overnight stays in July 2023, a 1.3%  decrease in August, and +5% in September against the same periods in 2022. September also recorded a 3.8% growth compared to 2019, the second month after May this year recording better performance than in 2019. All of Q3 2023 recorded growth in overnight stays from travelers abroad.  

Austria recorded 3.7% more overnight stays in August and 4.8% in September compared to the same months in 2022. The demand was especially high for accommodations marked as recreation facilities in August (15.5% more than in 2022) and campsites for September (21.2% increase).  

Switzerland registered an increase of 4.5% in overnight stays in July, 1.9% in August, and  7.5% in September against the same months in 2022. The Federal Office for Statistics also released the first data for 2023. Between January and September 2023, the overnight stays grew by 9.9% compared to 2022.  Demand from outbound travelers grew by 23.6%, while domestic overnight stays slightly decreased (-1.1%). 

#2 A Record for Positive Feedback

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96% of the DACH guest reviews are positive. 

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Historically, DACH recorded an impressive ratio of positive reviews in the last few years, surpassing many other markets. This quarter, this number broke a record since 2022. Last year, 95% of all reviews were positive, and in Q2 2023, the proportion was 94% from all feedback. This is a great indicator of guest satisfaction and focus on quality and improvement.

Industry Wrap-Up: DACH Hospitality Statistics Q3 2023

#4 Spotlight on Germany

Germany records a strong demand from other European countries. A recent study shows that, between May 2022 to April 2023, rail travel to Germany from other European destinations has increased by 16%.  European travelers preferred to extend their stays - from an average of 4.4 to 5.2 days. 

Internally, the 49 EUR ticket for public transportation has been used by more than 10 million people between July and August 2023. The authorities hope to increase this number. 8% of those who purchased the Deutschlandticket haven’t used public transport before. Approximately 5% of all trips would have been made by car if the ticket had not been introduced. The study shows that 20% to 30% of the ticket holders come from larger cities, compared to 6% from towns or rural areas. 

#5 Spotlight on Austria

Austria has been revealed as the most overcrowded tourist country on the European continent. On average, there are 3.6 tourists for every local, with Vienna being the first destination of choice for many travelers. During the summer of 2023, Austria’s capital experienced a 19.3% increase in overnight stays compared to the same period in 2022. Between June and August 2023, the most popular destination in Austria was Tyrol, recording the highest volume of bookings - 16.9 million. 

When looking ahead at the winter season, the industry is more cautious, despite a successful summer season. 4 out of 10 hoteliers expect a moderate performance or decline if bookings don’t increase in the upcoming period. The booking window has also shortened - with many travelers planning based on the weather conditions. 

#6 Spotlight on Switzerland

The latest survey from HotellerieSuisse looks at the industry’s performance in summer and offers an outlook for the upcoming winter season. 

The majority of those surveyed from the accommodation sector are satisfied with the performance they achieved during the summer season, with sales exceeding 2022 numbers. Cities recorded a particularly good performance - 65% of urban accommodations reported an increase in sales compared to last year. Looking at the winter season, the industry is optimistic - the majority expect a similar performance as in 2022, 30% are confident they will register a better season, and only 14% have lower expectations.  

Staffing continues to be a challenge, especially for the mountain regions, where 56% stated that the recruiting process continues to be difficult, compared to 24% of urban accommodations. 

TrustYou DACH Hospitality Statistics Q2 2023

#1 Review Volume Only 3% Below 2019

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Q2 2023 DACH review volume reached 96.6% of the pre-pandemic levels and recorded a 14.1% increase compared to Q2 2022.

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Like EMEA, we witness a moderated increase, mainly attributed to the region’s quick rebound in 2022. DACH review volume continues to exceed EMEA averages.  

Official statistics also confirm a similar trend. According to DESTATIS, May 2023 was Germany's first month to exceed overnight stays by 5.6%. April got very close - just a shy 0.2% behind 2019. In June 2023, the number slightly dropped - 2.2% less than in 2019.

In May 2023, Austria recorded 8.28 million overnight stays, 25.9% more than the previous year. In June, the country saw a notable increase in overnight stays by non-residents - 67% more compared to May 2023, which also positively impacted the overall number of overnight stays - 51% more compared to May 2023 and a 5.3% increase compared to June 2022. 
In the first half of 2023, Switzerland recorded 3.6% more overnight stays compared to 2019. The inflow of foreign visitors increased significantly by 33% compared to 2022.

#2 Positive Feedback is Steadily High

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94% of the DACH guest reviews are positive.

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DACH hoteliers consistently offer their guests a great experience; their positive reviews are among the highest in all areas analyzed. As of 2022, the percentage of positive feedback received was as high as 95%.

#4 Spotlight on Germany

In June 2023, the German authorities approved essential changes to the Skilled Immigration Act, relaxing the entry and residency requirements for skilled workers outside the EU. Among measures to attract additional workforce are lower salary requirements to be eligible for the EU Blue Card, easier recognition of certifications, degrees, and experience, the possibility to search for a job one year under the “Opportunity Card” while staying in Germany, and others. Authorities hope these changes will make Germany more attractive for non-EU workers and reduce the country's generalized staff shortage. 

At the beginning of June, Deutsche Bahn announced the release of the 10 EUR ticket, available for specific short-distance trips. Over one month and a half, passengers can buy less than 10 EUR tickets for shorter trips. This comes on top of the 49 EUR ticket initiative, released this spring.

#5 Spotlight on Austria

OHV asked 750 Austrian and German guests about their booking behaviors. Here are some of the key findings: 

• More guests book on the go. In 2019, 64% of Austrians used their desktops to book their trips. This number decreased to 55% in 2023. German travelers also book more via mobile: 74% used a desktop in 2019, which fell by 13% this year. 
• Email and phone continue to be the preferred communication channels. 40% of Austrians and 30% of Germans prefer to be contacted via email. 26% of Austrians and 31% of Germans prefer the phone instead for any questions or information regarding their stay. 

Another recent study by Online Birds assessed online marketing adoption for Austrian hotels. The last analysis returned an average score of 58 out of 100 points for Austrian hotels and 42 for German hotels. The research examined key digital performance metrics, such as SEO, SEA, website conversion, email & social media marketing.  While most Austrian hotels have implemented the standard best practices for website optimization, SEO, and email marketing, there is still room for improvement regarding consistent social media posting and using Google Ads to attract new guests. 

#6 Spotlight on Switzerland

Hoteliers from Switzerland expressed confidence in the summer season, anticipating an average 27% increase in overnight stays. Mountains, but especially city destinations, are expected to register high performances. This boost is attributed to a rise in visitors outside of Europe. Chinese travelers are still the most missed - numbers show that, after reopening, Chinese visits to Switzerland were at 30% compared to 2019. European arrivals will also grow but at a slower pace. 

Swiss travelers are most likely to shift their attention to international destinations. A report released by AirBnB focusing on the Swiss market shows that the searches for trips have increased by 50%. The most popular city destinations are Edinburgh (UK), Oslo (Norway), Copenhagen (Denmark), and Brittany (France).  

TrustYou DACH Hospitality Statistics Q1 2023

#1 Review Volume Above EMEA Averages

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Q1 2023 DACH review volume reached 93.3% of the pre-pandemic levels and recorded a 47.4% increase compared to Q1 2022. 

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Historically, we noticed that the DACH region exceeds EMEA averages regarding review volume over time - a trend continuing in Q1 2023.  In Q1 2022, the DACH review volume was 63% of 2019 levels. It’s only a matter of time until it surpasses the pre-pandemic numbers.

Other key tourism indicators show similar growth. Between January and February 2023, Germany recorded 50.4 million guest nights, with an average increase of 44.4% compared to the same period in 2022, and only 11.1% behind the first two months of  2020. Foreign stays registered the highest growth, with a whopping 103.4% compared to January - February 2022. 

Austria reported 7.4 million arrivals for February-March 2023, with an average increase of 25.7% compared to the same period in 2022. 
Switzerland recorded around 2.4 million arrivals in Q1 2023, with an overall 9% increase compared to last year. International arrivals grew by 36%. 

#2 Positive Feedback is Steadily High

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94% of the DACH guest reviews are positive. 

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DACH hoteliers continue to deliver an exceptional experience to their guests, with the ratio of positive reviews being amongst the highest of all regions.  In  2022, 95% of all feedback was positive.

Industry Wrap-Up - DACH Hospitality Statistics Q1 2023

#4 A Strong Winter Season, Despite High Temperatures and Lack of Snow

The 2022-2023 DACH winter season ended positively despite ongoing challenges, such as lack of snow, staff shortages, and the energy crisis. 

Austria was only 5.5% behind the 2018-2019 season, even though this winter was among the sixth warmest season recorded in the last 256 years. The regions with the highest amounts of snow were Carinthia and Styria. 

For December 2022 - January 2023, arrivals in the German alpine areas were at 87% of the pre-pandemic level. Allgäu was the preferred choice for almost half of visitors (46%), followed by Zugspitz (11%), and the Chiemsee-Alpenland region (11%). 

It was a good season for Switzerland as well. The Grisons ski areas were only 8% behind pre-pandemic numbers. The Graubünden canton registered an 18% increase in overnight stays compared to the 2021/2022 season. Despite the low demand during Christmas and New Year due to high temperatures and lack of snow, the area rebounded in January and February. While high-altitude regions thrived, low-altitude areas struggled due to climate changes, recording low performances compared to the previous season.  

High temperatures and green pastures will continue to be a challenge for destinations relying on winter tourism in the upcoming years. Alternative strategies, including hiking, biking trails, and agrotourism, can help attract tourists during a warmer winter.

#5 €49 Transport Ticket Gets Approved

The monthly €49 ticket applies to local train and bus transportation and was launched to the general public on May 1st, after receiving approval from the German legislative bodies in March 2023.  Followed by the success of the €9 ticket introduced last summer (62 million tickets sold and 10% of car trips replaced), this initiative encourages consumers to use public transport and reduces the pressure of increasing costs. International visitors can also use the ticket to visit various local landmarks. 

#6 Creative Ways to Tackle Staff Shortages

A joint project between the Zurich Airport and five mountain railways aims to tackle a chronic pain point of the travel industry: the lack of skilled workers. The project ‘’From Ski Slopes to Airport Slopes’’ aims to offer year-round jobs for seasonal workers. During the winter season, the staff will support the mountain railways and in the off-season, they will help manage the increasing traffic at the airport. The project started in March 2023. Besides tackling staff shortages, it also aims at providing more stability for seasonal workers. 

#7 Austria Booking Behaviors: A Study by OHV

The latest OHV study gives insights into the booking behaviors of Austrian travelers in 2022. Here are a few key findings: 

• Direct is the way. 7 out of 10 Austrian travelers prefer to book via direct channels (the hotel’s website, phone, or email), and a similar trend was recorded in 2021. With more international guests entering Austria, this number will likely decrease in 2023.  Direct booking is especially popular among regulars, with 30% of returning guests booking only via direct channels and 67% using direct channels regularly.  
• OTAs are at a slight decline.  20.1% of sales came from OTAs, which is 4.5% less than in 2019. This decrease can be explained by lower international and business travel levels. 

Read more insights here. 

Use Guest Reviews to Attract More Happy Travelers

Happy travelers spend more, book again, and promote your brand.  How do you increase your visitors' satisfaction as a hotel, destination, or booking platform? 

TrustYou offers a powerful tool for the hospitality industry that helps attract more visitors and improve guest satisfaction. With the help of our all-in-one guest experience platform, you can collect and analyze feedback from guests, identify areas of improvement, and address issues promptly. This leads to increased guest satisfaction, positive reviews, and ultimately more bookings. Our guest experience platform allows you to engage with guests before, during, and after their stay, fostering a sense of connection and building trust. 

*The Review Volume was requested at the beginning of April 2023. Due to the dynamic nature of the database with reviews and hotels being updated, the numbers may vary if data were requested at an earlier or later stage.***the report includes rounded numbers for a clearer data representation.