Germany recorded 36.4 million international overnight stays between January and June 2026, representing year-on-year growth of 0.5 per cent. Hotel occupancy also increased by 1.2 percentage points to 65.5 per cent, according to MKG International.
India continued to contribute positively to Germany’s tourism performance, maintaining the strong levels of the previous year with a marginal 0.1 per cent increase. Germany’s leading urban destinations remain particularly popular among Indian travellers, with the country’s top ten cities accounting for approximately 61 per cent of Indian overnight stays.
Romit Theophilus, Director – Marketing & Sales Office, India, GNTO, said India remains an important and promising source market for Destination Germany. He highlighted the resilience of Indian travel demand amid geopolitical and economic uncertainties, noting that travellers are increasingly seeking safe, well-connected destinations offering authentic cultural experiences, premium hospitality and good value.
He added that the Indian market is relatively young and experience-driven, with an average traveller age of 38 years and around 95 per cent of visitors below the age of 55. This, he said, underlines the market’s significant long-term potential, with the GNTO remaining optimistic about demand in the second half of 2026.
Strong Interest in German Cities and Regions
Munich led Germany’s destinations for Indian visitors with around 150,000 overnight stays, followed by Berlin with 123,000 and Frankfurt with 109,000. Hamburg, Stuttgart, Düsseldorf, Sindelfingen, Cologne, Nuremberg and Erlangen also featured among the most visited destinations.
At the regional level, the five leading federal states accounted for approximately 87 per cent of Indian overnight stays. The figures reflect continued demand for city breaks, cultural and heritage experiences, business travel, shopping, culinary tourism and multi-destination itineraries.
Positive Outlook for the Second Half of 2026
The German National Tourist Board (GNTB) sees further growth potential for the remainder of the year. The latest GNTB Travel Industry Expert Panel indicates a more positive outlook for the third quarter, with 46 per cent of international travel industry decision-makers rating their Germany business positively—up 21 per cent from the previous quarter. Meanwhile, 53 per cent expect their business situation to improve over the next six months.
The European Travel Commission’s latest Monitoring Sentiment for Intra-European Travel, published in May 2026, also points to a positive travel environment. The share of Europeans planning to travel between June and November rose four percentage points year on year to 81 per cent.
With its central location, extensive connectivity, value for money and reputation as a safe and reliable destination, Germany remains well positioned for continued inbound tourism growth. For Indian travellers, the destination offers a compelling mix of vibrant cities, heritage, nature, premium experiences and convenient connections across Europe.