Schmallenberg. Already in autumn of last year, an absolutely positive overnight stay balance for the Schmallenberger Sauerland and the holiday region Eslohe became apparent. The now published overall statistics for 2016 confirm the development for the past tourism year. Tourism manager Hubertus Schmidt can draw this very pleasing conclusion on the basis of the current figures from "Statistik von Information und Technik NRW".
A total of almost 230,000 guests visited the region last year and generated a total of just over 900,000 overnight stays. For Schmallenberg this means a solid plus of 3.7 %; in Eslohe a slight minus of 2.0 %, but on the basis of the very high level from 2015, where overnight stays had risen by more than 13 %. The positive overall trend in Eslohe is thus maintained, reflecting the efforts of a number of new or enlarged holiday accommodation providers on the one hand and the continuous focus on quality on the other. The average occupancy rate for the companies as a whole was 39 % in the Eslohe holiday region and 49 % in Schmallenberg.
Hubertus Schmidt, tourism director, emphasizes: "It shows once again that the 'if-then-right-mentality' of our guest enterprises is the right way and forms the basis of this positive development" In addition to the large, highly rated hotels and inns, it is above all the holiday apartments that make an important contribution here.
A clearly positive trend, with an increase of 23.4 % in overnight stays, is also recorded by the proportion of foreign guests, primarily from the Netherlands.
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Schmallenberg. The tourism year 2015 was very good. But the year 2016 will be even better. Tourism manager Hubertus Schmidt can already draw this very pleasing conclusion for the Schmallenberg Sauerland as of 31.10. on the basis of figures from "Statistik von Information und Technik NRW". For the first time, Schmallenberg is even rising into the top ten of the most overnight destinations in NRW and is measuring itself against the trade fair cities on the Rhine and Ruhr. The Eslohe holiday region remains at a satisfactory level with a slight decline. With an average occupancy rate of 51 % (previous year 49.2 %) across all categories of operation, a renewed increase in overnight stays of 4.8 % and a rise of 18.2 % in overnight stays abroad, the region is setting standards throughout Sauerland. For Schmidt, this is above all a confirmation of the philosophy of the guest enterprises: "Our enterprises invest extremely consistently across all categories, according to the motto 'If, then right'. This willingness provides us with a level of quality that is unparalleled nationally and forms the basis of this positive development
If-Then-That's Right mentality emphasises the region In
addition to the large, top-class hotels and inns, it is above all the holiday apartments that make an important contribution here. An average occupancy rate of 41.4 % as of 31.10. makes it worth your courage to invest. Schmidt: "Our children's farms are still expanding their capacities in the 17th year since the founding of this unique cooperation. In addition, many providers of individual holiday apartments have invested heavily. For these, our Schmallenberger SauerlandCard, introduced in mid 2015, is proving to be an attractive sales argument. Bookings by families during the holiday periods have developed very positively"
Alpin-Hotel pushes NL development
According to Schmidt, the extremely positive development of overnight stays abroad is primarily due to the good marketing of Grafschafter Alpin Hotel on the BeNeLux travel market. By 31.10., 23% more Dutch and 14.5% more Belgians had come to Schmallenberg. In terms of total overnight stays, this group of guests accounts for 17 % of overnight stays, i.e. about one in six bookings; in 2015 it was one in seven overnight stays. By way of comparison, every third overnight stay in neighbouring Winterberg is made by Dutch and Belgian guests.
Even late autumn and Advent, the former "low season", are generating increasing demand in the Schmallenberger Sauerland, i.e. overnight stays by guests, and will provide additional support for the overnight stay balance.
Concentration on winter romance
One reason why Schmidt is looking positively at the upcoming winter season 2016/17: "When it comes to winter sports, we and our neighbouring communities offer our guests a wide range of possibilities. Moreover, many of the guests do not come just for that. Most of them simply want to slow down, escape the digital permanent accessibility and switch off, stop for a bite to eat and enjoy. Our hosts have responded to this expectation and have focused their offers on 'hiking and walking, comfort in huts, wellness leisure hours, culinary delights and time for oneself'. We support this trend accordingly with targeted marketing on the web and in print with a focus on the theme of winter romance"
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