2014: A record year for tourism development in Cologne February 27, 2015 COLOGNE, Germany – The cathedral city experienced a real tourism boom in 2014. A total of 3.33 million hotel guests came to Cologne in the course of the year, accounting for 5.74 million overnight stays in total. These figures represent high increases of 12.4 percent for arrivals and 13 per cent for overnight stays. There were significant increases for visitors from Germany as well as visitors from abroad. As a result, the approximately 32,000 beds in Cologne’s more than 300 hotels and other accommodation facilities were booked to 48.7 percent of capacity. As of November 2014, Cologne recorded a 12.2 percent increase in overnight stays – a figure that makes it the undisputed leader among Germany’s major cities. “The growth in overnight stays is more dynamic in Cologne than in any other major German city,” said Elizabeth Thelen, who chairs the Supervisory Board of the Cologne Tourist Board. “The increase in Berlin was 6.2 percent – in other words, only half as great. This shows that Cologne, with its strong trade fairs and congresses, its outstanding cultural attractions and its events during every season of the year, is attractive all year round for business visitors as well as tourists who come here in their leisure time.”