During the second quarter of 2024, Czechia experienced a noticeable upswing in its tourism sector, with a 3.3% overall increase in tourist numbers compared to the same period last year. This positive trend was driven largely by an influx of foreign visitors, whose numbers surged by more than 9%, indicating a robust return to pre-crisis levels of tourism in the country.
Foreign Visitors Flock to Czechia
While domestic tourism saw a slight dip, with a 1.4% decrease in local travelers, international visitors more than made up for the difference. The Ice Hockey World Championship, hosted in May, played a significant role in attracting global tourists, particularly to the Moravian-Silesian Region and Prague. The event drew sports enthusiasts from all corners of the world, adding to the vibrancy of Czechia’s tourism landscape during this period.
In addition to the European neighbors—Germany, Poland, and Slovakia—American tourists were among the largest groups of foreign visitors, with 161,000 arrivals, marking a 12% year-on-year increase. Significant growth was also seen from other distant markets, including South Korea (+6%), Taiwan (+49%), Israel (+44%), and Turkey (+33%). Notably, the number of visitors from China soared by a remarkable 125.7%, underscoring Czechia’s growing appeal as a global destination.
Prague and Beyond: Tourist Hotspots
Prague continues to solidify its status as the crown jewel of Czech tourism, attracting millions of visitors each year. The first half of 2024 alone saw almost 3.7 million travelers flock to the city, marking an 11% increase compared to the same period in 2023. This surge in visitors, as reported by the Czech Statistical Office (CSO), highlights Prague’s enduring appeal as a global destination, with both international and domestic tourists contributing to its bustling tourism landscape.
Prague welcomed 2.1 million tourists in the second quarter alone. This was followed by the South Moravian Region, which attracted around 589,000 visitors, and the South Bohemia Region with 454,000 guests. The Karlovy Vary Region stood out for its longer stays, with tourists spending an average of 4.66 days, significantly higher than the national average of 3.34 days.
Impact of Major Events
The Ice Hockey World Championship proved to be a magnet not just for hockey fans but also for boosting the local economy. The event brought a wave of tourists from countries like Sweden, Latvia, and Kazakhstan to the Moravian-Silesian Region, with some guests extending their stays for more than five days. Spending by foreign visitors in this region saw an 88% year-on-year increase, highlighting the substantial economic impact of such international events.
The second quarter also revealed a growing trend among travelers to book their stays at the last minute, a shift from the traditional advance bookings made several months ahead. This change in booking behavior is being closely monitored, as it could influence occupancy rates and the overall performance of the tourism sector in the summer season.
As CzechTourism continues to promote the country’s diverse attractions, there is a concerted effort to spread tourism more evenly across regions. The goal is to not only enhance visitor satisfaction by avoiding overcrowding in popular spots but also to ensure that lesser-known areas benefit from the economic advantages of tourism. This strategic approach includes initiatives like the “Tourism Without Tracks” project, aimed at educating tourists and offering alternatives to the well-trodden paths.
