Wednesday, 13 May 2026
Tourism activity in the Czech Republic recorded a strong start to 2026, with both domestic and international travel contributing to growth during the winter season, according to data released by the Czech Statistical Office.
In the first quarter of the year, a total of 4.4 million guests were accommodated in collective accommodation establishments, representing a year-on-year increase of 5.2 percent. The number of overnight stays rose by 5.6 percent to reach 11.1 million nights, indicating sustained demand across key tourism segments.
Balanced Growth Across Domestic and International Travel
Both domestic and foreign visitors contributed to the overall increase. Domestic guests accounted for 2.3 million arrivals, while 2.1 million visitors came from abroad. The number of overnight stays by residents rose by 4.1 percent, while non-residents recorded a stronger increase of 7.3 percent, reflecting a continued recovery in international travel.
“In the first quarter of 2026, the growth in arrivals was supported by both domestic and foreign guests,” said Roman Mikula, Head of the Tourism and Environmental Statistics Unit at the CZSO.
Hotels Lead Performance
Hotel-type accommodation continued to dominate the market, with 3.4 million guests staying in hotels during the quarter, up 5.6 percent year-on-year. Overnight stays in hotels increased by 6.3 percent, reaching nearly 8 million nights.
Four-star hotels remained the most popular category, attracting 1.7 million guests who accounted for approximately 4 million overnight stays. In contrast, boarding houses recorded a slight decline in guest numbers, although the total number of nights spent in this segment increased modestly.
Prague and Regional Destinations See Gains
Tourism growth was recorded across all regions. Prague remained the leading destination, with nearly 1.7 million guests and 3.8 million overnight stays.
Other regions also reported solid activity. The Královéhradecký Region attracted around 370,000 visitors, while the Jihomoravský Region, Karlovarský Region and Liberecký Region each recorded more than 250,000 guests.
Domestic tourism remained particularly strong in mountain regions such as Královéhradecký and Liberecký, reflecting the seasonal appeal of winter destinations. International visitors were most concentrated in Prague, followed by Karlovarský and Jihomoravský regions.
Germany Remains Key Source Market
Foreign arrivals reached 2.1 million in the first quarter, an increase of 5.8 percent year-on-year. Germany remained the largest source market, with 474,000 visitors, while Poland, Slovakia, the United Kingdom and Italy each contributed more than 100,000 arrivals.
Overall, the data points to a successful winter season for Czech tourism, with steady growth in both arrivals and overnight stays. The continued recovery of international travel, combined with stable domestic demand, suggests a positive outlook for the sector heading into the peak summer period.
