Luxembourg reported 3.4 million overnight stays in 2024 – a solid number, even though it slid a bit from 2023. The country’s figures fell by roughly 2.7%, which stands out as the steepest decline among EU members.
Across Europe, however, things seem to be on an upswing, with more than 3 billion stays overall – an increase of about 2.2% compared to the previous year. Oddly enough, only a handful of nations, namely Sweden (-0.1%), Belgium (-0.2%), France (-0.6%), and, of course, Luxembourg (-2.7%), have seen numbers dip.
Tourism in Luxembourg had been riding high for years, keeping the annual stays above the 3-million mark since 2015 after steady gains. Then COVID-19 hit, and things got messy: overnight figures dropped to around 1.7 million in 2020 and then only climbed to 2.2 million in 2021. Things started to look up again in 2022, and by 2023, the numbers reached a record 3,485,954 stays – which set the stage for 2024’s performance.
Tourist satisfaction is another bright spot. Generally speaking, about 96% of visitors would recommend Luxembourg, 91% felt their experience surpassed expectations, and 89% are already planning a return trip. When it comes to attractions, the Parc Merveilleux in Bettembourg tops the list, drawing close to 247,982 visitors from January to August 2024. Vianden Castle (around 198,895 visitors) and the Mullerthal Trail (about 160,269 visits) are not far behind, each adding to the country’s overall appeal.
On the investment front, the government is planning to spend 70 million euros between 2023 and 2027 to boost tourism in Luxembourg further. This fund will cover a range of projects – from sprucing up the swimming pool in Vianden and launching a fresh concept for the aviation museum to marking the “Guttland Trail” in Lintgen, enhancing the Marie-Astrid boat in Schengen, and modernizing the Parc Merveilleux.
A sustainable tourism blueprint was also unveiled last December, aiming to align the sector with climate and environmental goals. Interestingly, a 2023 study found that 72% of locals and cross-border workers consider sustainable tourism essential, and nearly 79% want to see even more development in that direction. It’s even expected that 29% of international visitors in 2024 will choose eco-friendly travel options like trains, buses, or bikes.
Still, even with these positive signs, Luxembourg ends up with the fewest tourists in the EU, trailing behind nations like Latvia with 4.7 million stays and Estonia’s 6.6 million visits.