AfD's electoral gains ignite tourism worries in Germany
Hoteliers in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania are raising concerns as tourists begin cancelling vacation bookings. They attribute this trend to the Alternative for Germany (AfD) success in the February Bundestag elections.
Owners of tourism businesses from the Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania region, located in northeastern Germany, report that tourists are cancelling their reservations. They explain this is due to the strong performance of the Alternative for Germany in the Bundestag elections and the discomfort resulting from the views associated with this party.
The Baltic Sea coast in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania remains one of Germany's most sought-after vacation spots. According to the head of the German Hotel and Restaurant Association (Dehoga) in the region, reports from members indicate a steady increase in guest cancellations, as noted by Ostsee Zeitung.
AfD victory raises tourists' concerns
The success of the AfD, which secured 35 percent of the votes, has caused concern among tourists. Numerous comments have surfaced online regarding the political situation and sentiments in eastern Germany. Tourists are openly expressing that they don't feel comfortable visiting with their dark-skinned partners.
During the ITB international tourism fair, the German Tourism Association (DTV) cautioned about the impact of the federal election results. DTV President Reinhard Meyer emphasized that Germany's political situation is under close international scrutiny and stressed the importance of conveying a strong message that the country remains open and welcoming.
Although reservation cancellations remain isolated cases, issues related to racism and intolerance are impacting the tourism sector. Some individuals contacting hotels have voiced concerns about their safety—one person canceling a booking expressed fear about staying on the island of Usedom with their dark-skinned husband.
