Tourism Industry in Thuringia

Wartburg and Classical Weimar, Hainich and the Thuringian Forest – in Thuringia, cultural world heritage meets natural world heritage. There's something to discover on every corner. Everything is easy to reach, without rushing and without stress. This makes the region attractive both for tourists and for investors in tourism.

At a glance

You will find it easy to unleash Thuringia’s potential as a location for nature, culture and day-trip tourism because the state’s tourism strategy has prepared the ground for future investments. A Lead Generation Programme initiated by the Thuringian Ministry for Economy, Science and Digital Society (TMWWDG) focuses on locating premium hotels and holiday parks at destinations that are very popular with tourists. These measures are accompanied by attractive incentive programmes.

Investors and hotel operators interested in starting activities in Thuringia benefit from our comprehensive range of free services.

Service

We:

support investors and operators in your search for a suitable location for your tourism project
inform you about the market and business environment in thuringia
provide you with economic and regional data
provide information about relevant tourism networks and introduce you to project partners with expertise in planning regulations
give consultation on incentive programmes and accompany you during the application process
assist you in obtaining permits
support you with your financing concept and an adequate financing structure
establish contact with possible local financing partners (if desired)
assist with recruiting skilled staff

Facts and figures

10.3 million nights' accommodation (2019)
4.1 million guest arrivals (2019)
Average visit time 3.0 days per guest (2019)
Approx. 63,000 guest beds in 1,280 establishments
86,000 jobs directly and indirectly dependent on tourism in Thuringia
Sales revenue accounts for 1.8% of the total economy
Potential of 180 million guests in a surrounding area of 500 km
Perfect location and accessibility in the center of Germany

Nature tourism
Thuringia's uniquely diverse landscapes offer excellent potential for tourism away from the hustle and bustle of the cities.
Thuringia stands out with:
- Eight "National Nature Landscapes"
- The Rennsteig – the famous, most extensive long-distance hiking trail in Europe
- Ideal conditions for open-air activities, such as hiking, riding, golfing, canoe camping, cycling, mountain biking, climbing, swimming, sailing, kitesurfing, skiing, tobogganing
- Good opportunities for health and relaxation, such as spas and forest wellness centres
- A wide range of excursions and opportunities for adventure
- Plenty of cultural attractions within easy reach (natural world heritage meets cultural world heritage)
- Local cooperation partners for unusual natural attractions
Cultural tourism
With its unique density of cultural highlights, Thuringia has excellent potential for cultural tourism.
Thuringia stands out with:
- Three UNESCO Cultural World Heritage Sites: the Wartburg, the "Classical Weimar" complex and the Bauhaus
- A high density of historically significant, unique towns/buildings
- Well-maintained and carefully restored historic inner towns
- Sites where many famous personalities lived and worked, including Luther, Bach, Goethe, Schiller, Herder, Gropius, Klee, Kandinsky and Feininger
- A huge number of castles and palaces
- A wealth of museums, theatres, orchestras, traditional festivals and events
- Its living traditions and unique crafts such as glass-blowing and instrument-making
- A wide range of natural activities within easy reach (cultural world heritage meets natural world heritage)
Conference tourism
With its central location at the heart of Germany and its attractive surroundings, Thuringia has great potential for conference tourism.
Thuringia stands out with:
- Short travel times because of its ideal motorway connections and the ICE rail link in Erfurt
- Natural and cultural tourist attractions
- Famous scientific institutions and dynamically growing industries
- A broad range of opportunities for supporting and accompanying Programmes
- Various opportunities for innovative MICE concepts in connection with the natural environment
Selected Companies
Spa & GolfResort Weimarer Land, Blankenhain
Winner of the Thuringian Tourism Prize 2018
212 beds, category: 4-star S, panoramic spa, 36-hole golf Course
Bio-Seehotel & MANOAH Häuser am Zeulenrodaer Meer, Zeulenroda
176 rooms & Cottages, category: 4-star, climate-neutral wellness and conference Hotel
Hotel Elephant Weimar
The most famous hotel in Thuringia.
99 rooms and suites, newly renovated and reopened
AHORN Berghotel, Friedrichroda
457 rooms, category: 3-star S, family and activity holidays in the Thuringian Forest, Thuringia's largest conference hotel with a capacity of up to 600 people
Other selected companies:
- The Grand Green Familux Resort, Oberhof, Thüringer Wald (Opening ceremony 2022)
- DAS KEHRS, Hotel auf dem Petersberg Erfurt
- PRIZEOTEL Erfurt-City
- Hotel DER LINDENHOF, Gotha
- Romantik Hotel auf der Wartburg, Eisenach
- SPA VILLA Beauty & Wellness Resort, Eichsfeld

ICE-City Erfurt

Since December 2017, Erfurt Central Station has been one of the most important ICE hubs in Germany.

Discover Thuringia

Thüringer Tourismus GmbH (TTG) would like to introduce you to the holiday destination of Thuringia and all the opportunities it offers.

Downloads and information

Downloads

Thuringia. Perfect for well-rested investors.
Tourism in Thuringia in the spotlight – Investments in premium Hotels and Holiday Parks at major tourist sites.
Download[pdf, 2 MB]