In 2011, an estimated 10 million visitors spent 22 million room nights in Berlin, putting it among Europe’s top three (behind London and Paris and ahead of Rome) in city tourism and setting a new record for the city. According to Berlin’s Senator for Economic Affairs Sybille von Obernitz, tourism generates gross sales revenues of around 9 billion euros ($11.8 billion) and has a high employment impact. Some 230,000 people make a living in the tourism sector in Berlin. The soon-to-open BER airport, with its many new air links, will continue to strengthen the tourism industry. The sector considers 30 million room nights to be realistic by 2020.

With an average annual growth of 7 percent, Berlin has enjoyed the largest growth rate in terms of room nights in Europe during the past five years. Some 24 European capitals were compared for this purpose. In 2011, Berlin had 1.5 million more room nights than in 2010 and 41 percent of all room nights were accounted for by guests from abroad. The highest growth rates were reached last year by visitor groups from Iceland, India, Russia and Brazil. The United Kingdom was the strongest foreign market, followed by Holland, the U.S. and Italy.

At present, 120,800 beds are available for visitors; 7.5 percent more than a year ago. The average hotel bed utilization of 51.2 percent was slightly higher than last year (51 percent). Every overnight guest spends an average 197 euros ($258) per day during their visit to Berlin for the hotel room, dinner, visiting museums or shopping.