Museums on the Rise: Germans Embrace Cultural Spaces Once More
After a tough year grappling with pandemic-induced visitor dips, museums in Germany are making a comeback. According to a report released by the Institute for Museum Research based in Berlin, a staggering 81.4 million museum trips were recorded in 2022. Aside from a brief setback, the numbers are now back on track and only lag slightly behind pre-pandemic levels.
The revival in visitor numbers is great news for the German museum scene. Over 4,200 museums participated in the survey conducted by the Institute, reporting figures that show a substantial growth of around 100% compared to the dismal visitor count of 2021. Despite this impressive upward trajectory, the figure remains 25% shy of the pre-pandemic attendance history in 2019.
But not all regions in Germany have fared equally well during this recovery period. Counties like Saxony-Anhalt reported only a slight 15% drop in visitors compared to their pre-pandemic records. On the flip side, museums in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Saarland saw considerable losses, with visitor numbers plummeting by 47% and 43% respectively.
Exhibition spaces without their own collections, too, have witnessed a sizeable jump in ticket sales in 2022. Almost 4.9 million visitors purchased tickets for these venues, marking a significant 146% increase compared to the previous year. Although still lagging behind the 2019 visit count by 10%, the improved figures are still a welcome change.
The report's lead, Institute Director Patricia Rahemipour, acknowledged the ongoing impact of the pandemic but also highlighted the significant differences in the recovery rates depending on the museum's location, ownership, and content area. David Vuillaume, Managing Director of the German Museums Association, described the year 2022 as a year of transition, emphasizing the need to effectively promote the resilience of museums in times of multiple crises.
Examining the Data:
- Saxony-Anhalt museums defied expectations, attracting visitors at a rate of 15% lower than their pre-pandemic numbers, highlighting the strength of their local appeal.
- Berlin, home to the esteemed Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation, played a significant role in the collection and analysis of museum visit statistics across Germany.
- Berlin's exhibition venues without collections saw a surge in ticket sales in 2022, reflecting the city's rich cultural offerings and considerable influence on the nation's museum sector.
- Berlin's UNESCO World Heritage site, Museum Island, alongside various other museums across the city, contributed to Germany's impressive 81.4 million museum visits in 2022.
Background
The post-pandemic museum industry is showing promising signs of growth across the globe. The global museums tourism market is projected to reach USD 74.8 billion by 2033, thanks to increased investments in infrastructure, use of technology, and a focus on sustainable tourism practices. Many museums are reporting sharp increases in financial income and visitor numbers, thanks to initiatives facilitating public access and digital transformation. Local examples like Anklam in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania have also demonstrated a surge in cultural and historical tourism activity, with attractions like the Otto Lilienthal Museum and Nikolaikirche drawing in visitors.
