Kamenz (dpa/sn) – The large-scale forest fire in Saxon Switzerland has clouded the tourism balance in the region this year. As reported by the State Statistical Office on Wednesday, the number of overnight stays and guests in August was almost a third below the previous year’s figure. According to the information, 52,000 arrivals were recorded in the area in September, a sixth fewer than in the same month last year. The number of overnight stays fell to almost 165,000 in September, which corresponds to a decrease of 22 percent compared to September 2021.
The fire broke out on July 25 in a part of the Saxon Switzerland National Park that was difficult to access. The disaster alarm in Bad Schandau was not lifted until August 19th. The fire has also led to cancellations in distant areas, according to the state office.
In contrast, the tourism balance for all of Saxony is positive for the first nine months of this year. The Saxon hotels and hostels registered 5.18 million guests and 13.43 million overnight stays. That is a clear plus compared to the same period last year, when the companies recorded a good 9 million overnight stays. Nevertheless, according to the state office, the value was 14 percent below the record year 2019.
