Culture creates jobs: 4.35 million euros for Lübeck's economy!

Culture creates jobs: 4.35 million euros for Lübeck's economy!

Lübeck is buzzing! Since its opening, the European Hanseatic Museum (EHM) has established itself as a true economic engine for the region. According to a recent study, the museum has generated an impressive cumulative added value of 35.4 million euros. This makes it clear once again that culture is not only at the heart of social life, but also an integral part of the economic landscape that keeps the city alive. As hl-live.de reports, the EHM attracts around a million visitors every year. These guests support around 116 jobs, particularly in the hospitality and retail sectors.

With over 210,000 day trips and more than 42,000 overnight stays that can be directly attributed to the EHM, the museum acts like a magnet for tourists. The year 2024 was particularly important, as the number of visitors was almost 98,000. What's fascinating about it is that around 90 percent of these guests came from outside, and for two thirds the EHM was a decisive reason for paying a visit to Lübeck. These calculations help to make it clear that the city is not only profiled as a place to stay overnight, but also as a destination for those interested in culture.

Economic impact

The research into the economic importance of the museum was carried out in collaboration with the ift leisure and tourism consultancy and looked at the regional impact over a period of six months. In 2024, the EHM generated direct orders from Lübeck companies worth 1.16 million euros. In addition, expenses from visitors and the museum's service providers resulted in further orders worth 1.1 million euros. The total added value in 2024 amounted to an impressive 4.35 million euros. These numbers show how the influence of culture extends into local businesses, creating a cycle that benefits the entire city.

The EHM is therefore not only a place for exciting exhibitions and an important commemorative factor, but also a driver for the local economy that is worth seeing. More than just a museum, the EHM reflects the living heritage of the Hanseatic League and shows how firmly anchored the spirit of the trade association is in the northern German cities.

Preserve a piece of history

The EHM is also committed to researching and preserving the intangible cultural assets of the Hanseatic League. With the research center for the history of the Hanseatic League and the Baltic Sea region, the museum is the largest institution dedicated to this topic. But what exactly makes the history of the Hanseatic League so relevant? It is characterized by the virtues of the middle class, such as hard work, drive and honor, which still inspire many people today. This view has developed over the centuries and has become more prominent, especially since the second half of the 19th century, and has been used for political purposes.

In the northern German cities that were once members of the Hanseatic League, this trading alliance is perceived as a success story. Under the motto “mersed in kultura” it becomes clear that the past can shape all of our present. The EHM and similar institutions not only represent the memories of bygone times, but also actively shape the future of the cultural landscape in Germany and beyond.”