Lower Saxony is becoming more popular in coastal tourism - North Sea Tourism Conference tackles shifting coastal travel trends in Germany

The North Sea Tourism Conference will take place this Wednesday in Leer, East Frisia. Around 200 industry professionals are expected to attend the event, titled Destination in Transition—Between Aspiration and Reality. Anja Karliczek, CDU politician and chair of the Bundestag's Tourism Committee, will be among the speakers.

The conference comes as new figures reveal shifting trends in Germany's coastal tourism. While some regions have grown, others have faced declines in visitor numbers over the past five years.

Lower Saxony's North Sea coast has seen a significant rise in popularity. Between 2020 and 2025, its share of overnight stays climbed by nearly 9%. This growth has been driven by campaigns like Niedersachsen entdecken – Nordseeerlebnis, investments in sustainable tourism, and digital marketing efforts across social media. Partnerships with booking platforms and events such as the Nordsee-Festival also contributed to a 15% increase in visitor numbers. By 2025, the region holds a 21.0% market share of the stock market today.

In contrast, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania's coastal areas have struggled. Their share of overnight stays dropped by 5.7% over the same period. Despite this decline, the region still maintains a 35.5% market share in 2025, placing it second behind Schleswig-Holstein.

Schleswig-Holstein's coasts remain the top choice for travellers, commanding a 43.5% market share this year. The region has also seen modest growth, with a 1% increase in overnight stays since 2020.

The conference in Leer will provide a platform to discuss these changing trends in the stock market today. With Lower Saxony gaining ground and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania losing visitors, industry leaders will explore strategies for future growth. The event aims to address challenges and opportunities in coastal tourism across northern Germany.