Czech tourism surge and Prague airport’s self‑service upgrades

Prague Airport processed nearly 17.8 million passengers last year and expects up to 18.9 million in 2024. To cope with the strong demand, the airport has expanded self‑service check‑in kiosks, allowing travelers to print boarding passes and baggage tags themselves and, on selected flights, be directed straight to the kiosks without staff assistance.

An OECD study shows that international tourist arrivals to OECD countries rose 8.1 % in 2024, with tourism contributing 2.5 % of the Czech Republic’s GDP (approximately 201.6 billion CZK) and providing more than 224 000 jobs, although employment remains about 6 000 below pre‑pandemic levels. The sector continues to be a key driver of economic growth, regional development and foreign exchange earnings, while also facing challenges such as overtourism and the need for better flow management, including the use of artificial intelligence.