The fourth week after the re-opening of the Berlin’s hotels and only 7 to 15 % occupancy! "It's so little that hoteliers are considering whether to open at all or leave entire floors closed," says Burkhard Kieker from "Visit Berlin".
Twelve billion turnover per year, 250,000 dependent jobs – tourism is very important for the German capital city. The number of overnight stays and visitors dropped by 95 % due to Corona. In April, the pandemic brought tourism in Berlin to an almost complete standstill and the overnight stays and arrivals fell to 5 % of the same month last year.
"The crisis has hit hardest what Berlin lives on," says Economics Senator Ramona Pop. "We have to get things moving quickly now. If the tourism industry is doing well, Berlin is doing well."
According to Ramona Pop, the emergency aid programs have helped to "temporarily secure" around 50,000 jobs in the industry. The tourism board has launched a promotional campaign to attract German visitors. In Southern Germany, 1000 posters advertise a visit to Berlin. Even before the crisis, 60 % were domestic tourists.
Moreover, the city tries to lure back the event planners. Before the crisis, 84 % of events had fewer than 100 participants and were an important source of revenue.
The city also attracts domestic visitors with the card "Berlin: welcome back". The new edition of the successful Berlin Ticket offers extended weekends in Berlin’s hotels plus activities at package prices.