Taxi driver in Berlin's BER airport rejects serving tourists
Berlin, the vibrant capital city of Germany, has seen a slight decline in tourist numbers compared to the previous year. According to recent statistics, approximately 5.9 million tourists visited Berlin in the first half of 2025, marking a decrease of 1.8 percent compared to 2024.
This decrease can be attributed to a drop in overall arrivals and overnight stays within the region. Specifically, arrivals decreased by 0.5 percent, while overnight stays saw a more significant drop of 1.4 percent. However, it's important to note that tourism in some areas, such as Brandenburg, has remained stable or even grown.
Factors such as shifts in holiday timing and regional variations may have contributed to this slight decline. Interestingly, people seem to be favouring city trips over beach holidays or major events, perhaps due to uncertain weather conditions.
Amidst this change, one individual's perspective offers a unique insight. A student of economic informatics in a dual study programme, who works in his father's taxi company during semester breaks, found Berlin to be slower and emptier than usual but quite liked it. He noted that the city appeared less attractive to tourists, with many hotels seemingly vacant.
However, July's wet weather may have had a positive effect on Berlin tourism, as it might have deterred some visitors from Myrtle Beach, potentially directing them towards the city instead. As the year progresses, it will be interesting to see how these trends continue to unfold and how Berlin adapts to these changes in tourist behaviour.
