Tourism in Germany, with particular emphasis on Bavaria. Current status and prospects for development

Abstract

Tourism is one of the most important economic sectors in the world, and is constantly developing. It is of great importance to strongly developing countries, including Germany, which has been recording high tourist traffic for years. The research objective was to analyse the current state, trends and prospects for development of tourism in Germany, with particular emphasis on Bavaria. Attention was focused on the most important attractions in Germany, tourist development and consequently on the intensification of tourist traffic. The aim of the work was also to identify and explain the spatial and socio-economic determinants of tourism development in Bavaria, as well as to assess future development prospects in the context of emerging trends. The desk research method and the statistical index method were used. Documents regarding tourism policy, statistical studies and academic literature on the subject were reviewed. Sources from the most important organisations in the tourism industry were also used. The study indicates the high importance of tourism in the German economy. Tourist traffic volumes are returning to pre-COVID-19 levels, making Germany one of the most popular destinations in the world. The analysis allows us to confirm that the region of Germany most frequently visited by foreign tourists is Bavaria, which is characterised by a high level of socio-economic development. There are clear spatial differences in the intensity of tourist traffic in Bavaria, with the differences being greatest in the south-east.