The Czech Republic’s tourism industry experienced a notable uptick in the second quarter of 2024, with accommodation facilities welcoming 5.95 million guests, marking a 3.3% increase from the previous year. This growth was primarily driven by a surge in international visitors, which offset a slight decline in domestic tourism.
Foreign tourists flocked to the country in greater numbers, with a 9.3% increase to 2.8 million visitors. In contrast, domestic tourism saw a minor setback, with Czech guests decreasing by 1.4% to 3.2 million. Despite this disparity, both groups spent an average of 2.3 nights in accommodation facilities.
Germany remained the top source of international visitors, with over 630,000 tourists, followed by Poland and Slovakia, with approximately 253,000 and 247,000 visitors, respectively. This influx of international guests contributed significantly to the overall growth in tourism numbers.
The positive trend was not uniform across the country, however. While nine regions saw an increase in tourist numbers, five regions – Ústí, Liberec, Hradec Králové, South Moravia, and Pardubice – experienced a decline. Interestingly, the number of international visitors and overnight stays increased in all regions except Ústí.
A key factor in the tourism boost was the Ice Hockey World Championship held in May, significantly increasing visitor numbers in the Moravian-Silesian region and Prague. This event showcased the potential of major sporting events to drive tourism growth in specific regions.