The number of overnight stays in upper franconia increased by 270,000 in the first half of 2018 compared to 2013. This corresponds to an increase of around 13 percent. 2.36 million overnight stays were recorded by upper franconia’s lodging establishments in the first half of 2018, compared with just 2.09 million in the same period of 2013, according to the chamber of commerce for upper franconia bayreuth.
The city of bamberg remains the overnight cossus with 315 276 overnight stays, followed by bad staffelstein with 228 370 and bayreuth with 176 732 overnight stays.
Besides bad staffelstein, lichtenfels is one of the most important tourist destinations in upper franconia. With 37,134 overnight stays in the first half of the year, the city ranks 13th in the number of overnight stays. Compared to the first half of 2013, lichtenfels increased by 20.9 percent, and bad staffelstein by 4.1 percent.
The fact that the length of stay in bad staffelstein, at 5.5 days, is significantly higher than the upper franconian average of 2.5 days, is not surprising due to the clientele. But the entire region benefits from the obermain thermal spa as a magnet for traffic.
The current investments in the hotel sector show that the prospects are viewed positively. "Business tourism will continue to grow in importance in our region in the coming years, which is why I very much welcome these investments", according to wilhelm wasikowski, vice president of the chamber of commerce for upper franconia bayreuth and chairman of the chamber of commerce committee lichtenfels. Foreign guests do not play a major role in the district of lichtenfels. Important target groups, on the other hand, are wellness vacationers and business travelers, the latter not surprising since many medium-sized companies are located in the district.
A recent survey by the chamber of commerce and industry revealed a problem that a number of lodging establishments are experiencing. "Business travelers in particular, but also an increasing number of vacationers, expect powerful WLAN or at least good mobile phone reception in their hotel rooms", according to wasikowski. "Unfortunately, our accommodation facilities are not receiving the attention they deserve in the broadband development project." Generally, everyone had the same idea about "fast internet" focus on industry and parts of the service sector. Wasikowski: "in order to remain competitive, our hotels and guesthouses also need powerful and fast internet access for their guests." .