Tourism locations in MV: Title brings opportunities and challenges!

Tourism locations in MV: Title brings opportunities and challenges!

In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, around 50 new villages and towns have been able to secure the title of “tourist resort” since the health resort law was reformed in 2021. This title not only enables the collection of spa taxes, but also offers municipalities the opportunity to set special opening times, which further increases the tourist relevance and growth potential of these places. However, it turns out that many smaller communities are hesitant to introduce such a tax. The effort required to meet the necessary requirements is often considered to be too high. That reports NDR.

A prominent example is the city of Schwaan, which offers an art museum, a campsite and a climbing forest, but does not want to introduce a tourist tax due to the high organizational effort. The estimated costs for introducing a guest-based spa tax are around 8,000 euros, although this does not include personnel costs and the purchase of a machine for day guests. The support for the introduction of such contributions has so far been rather poor. It is recommended that several places come together to act together.

Collaboration and uncertainty

The city of Schwaan is considering a merger with neighbors such as Güstrow, Krakow am See, Teterow and Bützow in order to strengthen the “Middle Mecklenburg” region. Many communities are currently waiting for a new tourism law from the state government, which is currently causing uncertainty and inhibiting the development of tourism opportunities. Especially in smaller communities, there is often a lack of financial support and clear legal requirements.

Although the weather is not always optimal, the tourism industry in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania can look back on satisfactory business developments this season. And the trend suggests that Germany is generally very popular as a travel destination. Loud Statista Accommodation businesses in Germany counted almost 190 million overnight stays in 2024.

• Die Einnahmen aus dem deutschen Tourismus lagen bei über 37 Milliarden US-Dollar.
• Die Ausgaben deutscher Reisender betrugen rund 120 Milliarden US-Dollar, was Deutschland den dritten Platz weltweit bei Reiseausgaben einbrachte.
• Bayern, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Niedersachsen und Baden-Württemberg sind die beliebtesten Reiseziele für Inlandsreisende.

Tourism in Germany is diverse and attracts travelers from all over the world. Popular activities range from city breaks to relaxing holidays by the sea. Despite the challenges in the area of ​​spa taxes and the legal uncertainties, the attractiveness of this region remains high. Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania will continue to be an important travel destination while awaiting developments in tourism offerings and the communities pulling together to represent their interests in the best possible way.