Number of tourists in Saxony slightly down - Number of tourists in Saxony slightly down
Tourism in Saxony has shown mixed results in 2025, with some areas thriving while others face declines. The Chemnitz region has drawn nearly two million visitors thanks to its title as European Capital of Culture. Meanwhile, larger cities like Dresden and Leipzig have seen fewer tourists compared to last year.
From January to October, Saxony’s hotels, guesthouses, and campsites hosted 6.7 million guests, accounting for 16.7 million overnight stays. This marks a 2% drop from the same period in 2024. By the end of the year, the region expects around 19.3 million overnight stays—down from 20 million in 2024.
The Chemnitz/Zwickau area has stood out as a bright spot, attracting over 493,000 visitors and one million overnight stays so far in 2025. This represents an 11% increase compared to the first half of 2024. The European Capital of Culture title has clearly boosted interest in the region. In contrast, Dresden and Leipzig have struggled. Dresden recorded nearly 1.8 million visitors and 3.7 million overnight stays in the first ten months of 2025—a 4.5% drop in visitors and a 2.1% decline in overnight stays. Leipzig has also seen fewer tourists, with large cities across Saxony experiencing a 1.4% decline in summer 2025. The lack of major events this year has contributed to the downturn. Tourism Minister Barbara Klepsch (CDU) noted that despite the dip, Saxony’s figures remain strong compared to 2023. However, businesses face challenges, including rising energy and labour costs, higher taxes, and increased competition from neighbouring countries. Visitors are also spending less, adding pressure to the sector. Short breaks, day trips, and city visits are being postponed or cancelled more often due to the current economic climate. Saxony is often seen as a second or third holiday choice, which has made it more vulnerable to cutbacks in travel plans.
The Chemnitz region’s success as European Capital of Culture has brought a significant rise in tourism, offsetting some of the broader decline in Saxony. However, the overall trend shows fewer visitors and overnight stays across most of the state. Businesses and officials will need to address economic pressures to maintain the region’s appeal in the coming years.
