Prague saw a significant rise in visitor numbers during the first half of 2024, welcoming nearly 3.7 million tourists, with a substantial portion coming from Germany, the UK, and the USA. The city achieved a hotel occupancy rate of around 70%, with the luxury segment particularly benefiting from the increased demand.
According to the Czech Statistical Office (ČSU), Prague’s tourism numbers grew by 11% compared to the same period in 2023. The majority of foreign tourists hailed from Germany (498,000), Great Britain (207,000), the United States (194,000), Slovakia (182,000), and Italy (179,000). Domestic tourists made up more than a fifth of the total, with 777,000 Czechs visiting the capital during this period. Hotel occupancy increased by 8% year-over-year, with the most significant growth occurring in the luxury sector.
“Thanks to our expanded offerings aimed at a more affluent clientele, demand for luxury hotel accommodations has risen proportionally. It is evident that our efforts to attract this demographic through continuous service improvement and targeted marketing campaigns are succeeding,” said Jiří Pospíšil, Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism. He added, “Our recently adopted tourism strategy will continue this trend. We aim to avoid the negative impacts of mass tourism, as seen in cities like Barcelona and Venice.”
In addition to traditional European visitors, Prague also experienced a notable increase in tourists from Asia. Compared to the same period last year, 80,000 more Asian tourists visited Prague, representing a nearly 30% increase. This surge was led by visitors from South Korea, Israel, and China, with Chinese visitor numbers nearly doubling from 46,000 to almost 92,000. Domestic tourism continued to play a significant role, mirroring last year’s trend of domestic visitors accounting for more than a fifth of the total.
“In the last three years, we’ve seen a significant rise in domestic travelers spending their holidays in the capital. The fact that they now make up more than a fifth of all visitors is a positive development for Prague’s tourism industry,” noted František Cipro, CEO of Prague City Tourism. He added, “Since 2020, we’ve been systematically developing products and services tailored specifically to Czech tourists, such as unique guided tours and special events at the Prague Towers we manage.”
“The average price for overnight stays has also risen compared to last year, reaching 115 euros per room in the first half of the year, a 5% increase. Compared to other capital cities, such as Warsaw, we have clearly caught up. This shows that our focus on attracting more affluent guests is paying off,” summarized Václav Stárek, President of the Hotel and Restaurant Association of the Czech Republic.
