North Rhine-Westphalia tourism reaches record highs in 2026

Tourism in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) reached record levels in the first half of 2026. According to data from IT. NRW, overnight stays in hotels and other accommodations rose by 4 percent to 26.9 million, while guest arrivals increased by 6 percent to 12.3 million. International interest saw a significant boost, with foreign arrivals rising by 12 percent to 2.8 million.

Despite the state-wide growth, the Münsterland region experienced a more mixed performance. While guest arrivals in Münsterland rose by 1.6 percent in June 2026, overnight stays in the region fell by 4.4 percent. For the first half of the year, Münsterland saw a 3.0 percent increase in arrivals but a 2.1 percent decline in overnight stays. The region also reported a 1.4 percent decrease in available beds.

Industry representatives from the Landesverband Tourismus NRW noted that while the growth is a strong sign of the region's attractiveness, continued investment in infrastructure, quality, and digitalization is necessary to remain competitive.