# Czech tourism stability and targeted market growth > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/czech-tourism-growth-and-strategic-upgrades > Updated: 2026-09-03T03:52:30.000Z. Sources: 54. Developments: 8. In the second quarter of 2026, the Czech Republic reported stable tourism performance with 6.4 million guests and over 15.1 million overnight stays. While total arrivals grew by 0.5 percent and overnight stays by 0.3 percent year-on-year, growth was driven entirely by domestic visitors, as foreign tourism remained stagnant. Prague continues to serve as the central hub, hosting 2.2 million guests and nearly 5 million nights. Regional performance remains uneven. The Moravian-Silesian, Hradec Králové, and Liberec regions saw the highest growth, with the Moravian-Silesian Region specifically reporting a 7.3 percent increase. In contrast, the Karlovy Vary Region experienced a decline in both domestic and foreign arrivals, though it maintained the longest average stay at 4.84 days. Meanwhile, the Plzeň Region reached its highest guest level in 14 years, with foreign travelers favoring hotels and domestic tourists preferring pensions and camps. To bolster international interest, authorities have launched targeted initiatives. The ‘Open Polska’ pilot program, a collaboration between Czech Tourism and the Karlovy Vary Region, aims to attract Polish seniors to spa destinations like Mariánské Lázně and Františkovy Lázně. The program seeks to overcome stereotypes dating back to 1989. Results indicate high success, with 94 percent of participants expressing satisfaction and 58 percent noting health improvements. Prague is expanding its profile as a premier European destination, with visitor numbers projected to reach nine million by the end of 2026. Beyond its UNESCO World Heritage landmarks, the capital is emerging as a wellness hub, offering luxury and beer spas. Additionally, tourism trends are shifting toward autonomy; caravanning is gaining popularity in South Bohemia, while travel agencies are introducing self-guided, expert-designed itineraries to meet the demand for flexible travel. ## Claims - Passenger traffic grew 2.3 % between May 2025 and April 2026 compared with the previous year. (corroborated by 7 sources) - Hotel occupancy rose 2 % between May 2025 and April 2026 compared with the previous year. (corroborated by 7 sources) - Europe received more than 130 million international tourists in Q1 2026, a 4 % increase year‑on‑year. (corroborated by 7 sources) - Southern Mediterranean Europe and Northern Europe each saw a 4 % increase in arrivals in Q1 2026. (corroborated by 7 sources) - Spain is the most searched‑for and booked European destination in 2026. (corroborated by 7 sources) - Central‑Eastern Europe arrivals increased 6 % in Q1 2026. (corroborated by 7 sources) - Czechia was the fastest‑growing booked European destination in 2026 with an 18 % year‑on‑year increase. (corroborated by 7 sources) - Forecast air‑passenger volume and seats from April to September 2026 will peak at just over 160 million. (corroborated by 6 sources) - About 80 % of all last‑minute vacations in June 2026 were booked to European destinations. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-03: Czech tourism shifts toward flexible travel and caravanning Czech tourism is seeing a rise in flexible travel, with South Bohemia attracting caravanners and agencies like CK Alexandria offering self-guided, expert-planned itineraries to meet demand for autonomy. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/czech-tourism-shifts-toward-flexible-travel-and-caravanning ### 2026-08-23: Prague emerges as a major European destination for history and wellness Prague is evolving into a major European hub for both historical tourism and wellness, with visitor numbers projected to hit nine million by 2026 as travelers seek both landmarks and spa traditions. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/prague-emerges-as-a-major-european-destination-for-history-and-wellness ### 2026-08-23: Czech tourism targets Polish seniors with spa wellness programs Czech tourism officials are targeting Polish seniors with new wellness programs to revitalize interest in Czech spas like Karlovy Vary, following successful pilot results. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/czech-tourism-targets-polish-seniors-with-spa-wellness-programs ### 2026-08-10: Czech Republic reports stable tourism performance in Q2 Czech Republic tourism remained stable in Q2, with 6.4 million guests and 15.1 million nights recorded. Prague led as the top destination, while the Karlovy Vary Region saw a decline in visitors. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/czech-republic-reports-stable-tourism-performance-in-q2 ### 2026-08-07: Tourism trends in Czech Republic and Slovakia show regional shifts Czech and Slovak tourism shows rising domestic demand and a shift toward luxury glamping and regional travel, while foreign visitors remain highly concentrated in Prague. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/prague-attracts-majority-of-foreign-tourists-spending-rises ### 2026-07-29: Europe tourism sees steady growth in 2026 with record arrivals Europe recorded over 130 million tourists in Q1 2026, passenger traffic up 2.3 % and hotel occupancy up 2 %; Czechia’s bookings grew 18 %, Spain stayed top‑searched, and Europe accounted for 80 % of last‑minute 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/europe-tourism-steadies-in-2026-with-spain-leading-and-czechia-fastestgrowing ### 2026-07-22: Czech tourism surge and Prague airport’s self‑service upgrades Prague Airport expands self‑service check‑in as passenger numbers near 19 million, while OECD data shows Czech tourism adding 2.5 % of GDP and over 224 k jobs in 2024. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/czech-tourism-surge-and-prague-airports-selfservice-upgrades ### 2026-07-05: Thailand and Czech Republic adopt new tourism strategies focused on visitor spending and longer stays Thailand will prioritize tourist spending over visitor counts, while the Czech Pardubicko region launches a 2027‑2033 plan to attract longer stays and boost tourism revenue. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/thailand-and-czech-republic-adopt-new-tourism-strategies-focused-on-visitor-spending-and-longer-stay --- Cite as: Czech tourism stability and targeted market growth. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/czech-tourism-growth-and-strategic-upgrades