Tourism on Usedom: Between boom and stress - a direct look!

Tourism on Usedom: Between boom and stress - a direct look!

Heringsdorf, Deutschland - What about tourism in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania? On July 4, 2025, NDR Info is devoted to this topic live from the pier in Ahlbeck on Usedom. From 6 a.m., half-hour reports, live circuits and discussions about North German tourism can be heard, while the news program is broadcast on TV in the long term at 3 p.m., 4 p.m., 5 p.m. and 9.45 p.m. The 16 o'clock broadcast is even extended until 5.10 p.m. to report on the situation in the Lüneburg Heath, on the Darß and Sankt Peter-Ording. The show is moderated by Susanne Stichler and Stefan Schlag.

But what is the focus of reporting? Almost a third of the respondents spend time in the north a year, and yet the mood in the tourism industry is increasingly being depressed. High rents on Usedom make it difficult for the locals to find an apartment. More social housing are required here. Current commuter flows also trigger traffic jams during changes of bed - a fact that hoteliers and restaurateurs have to include in their plans.

Usedom as a vacation paradise

Usedom, the "sun island" of Germany, is known for its sunny beaches. With an impressive length of 40 km you will find stone -free, fine sandy coasts and a variety of attractions such as forests, meadows and lakes. Vacationers can explore the island in different ways: on foot, by bike or even in horse -drawn carriages. For shipping enthusiasts there are connections to Ückermünde in Poland or to the neighboring island of Rügen. The Baltic Sea resorts such as Ahlbeck, Heringsdorf and Zinnowitz are an absolute magnet for visitors, also thanks to the historical pool architecture.

Despite these advantages, many bathrooms have to face the challenges of tourism. Around 8,300 people live in the imperial baths, while around 30,000 vacationers populate the region in the high season. This not only brings crowded restaurants, but also a lack of service staff, which forces hoteliers to adapt their offers. The Ahlbeck Kurddermann Thomas Heilmann refers to the discrepancy between increasing bed number and the falling population - a serious problem for many.

sustainability in focus

not only in Usedom, also in other regions there is increasing increasing tourism. A study from 2023 shows that 61% of the population has a positive attitude towards sustainability on vacation trips. Providers rely on binding environmental and social standards and ecological tourism. A good hand is required! Nature plays a crucial role. After all, Germany is rich in nature reserves and species worth protecting, which should be in harmony with the tourism sector. Projects to promote ecotourism are on the rise, and more and more people are interested in sustainable travel behavior.

summarized: Tourism in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, especially on Usedom, is faced with the challenge of finding the balance between growth and stress. The hoped -for 66 percent exceeded the occupancy in the region. But in order to preserve the beauty and attraction of this unique landscape, sustainable concepts and a better range of housing are essential for locals.

Visit the NDR info page for further backgrounds on the current situation in tourism: ndr info . For information on the leisure options on Usedom, please go to the page of Island Usedom . And for the growing demand for sustainable tourism, take a look at Facts about Germany .