Fears in black and white: Münsterland tourism records losses of 50 percent

MUNSTERLAND. According to Information und Technik Nordrhein-Westfalen (IT.NRW), the number of guest arrivals in Münsterland for March 2020 fell by 59.4 percent compared to the same period last year. The number of overnight stays also fell by 50.6 per cent. For the first quarter of 2020, which even saw significant increases in January and February, this means a decline of 20.1 per cent and 14.5 per cent respectively.

"Our fears and predictions have unfortunately come true," says Michael Kösters, head of tourism at the regional management organisation Münsterland e.V. "And these are only the figures for the month of March, in which travel was even still permitted at the beginning. The losses will be much higher for April and even the upcoming partial openings in the hotel sector from 18 May will not be able to absorb the losses by far."

Michael Kösters sees the future of the industry in acute danger: "Many businesses will have to continue to fight for survival, as they will be able to generate significantly less turnover than in normal years due to the restrictions in force and the lack of conferences, family celebrations and corporate events."

However, Kösters sees a small advantage for Münsterland in comparison to other regions: "The figures show: In Münsterland we don't have such a sharp decline in foreign guests as in metropolitan regions that host many international trade fairs or events. Since air travel and continental travel are probably not possible or only possible to a very limited extent for the time being, these regions are permanently losing an important target group. For Münsterland, I see an opportunity to quickly reach our previous domestic target groups again and motivate them to take a holiday here. After all, Münsterland scores with a high quality of life between town and country, plenty of space in the Münsterland park landscape, the city of Münster as an excursion destination and with the boom topic of cycling."

Due to the largely omitted business-related overnight stays, Münsterland e.V. will focus accordingly on leisure tourism. "Here we want to work together with our partners in the region as well as the hotel and restaurant industry to attract guests and communicate the attractiveness of the Münsterland to the outside world," concludes Kösters.

Münsterland e.V. provides an overview for end customers on its website www.muensterland.com/muensterland-erleben of which leisure facilities and gastronomic establishments are already open again and under which conditions.