Germany is quite decentralised compared to most other European countries, which tend to be dominated by one large capital city both politically and commercially. Berlin, which was only recently reinstated as the capital city in 1999, is by far the largest city with a population of 3,447,000, followed by Hamburg (1,707,000), Munich (1,217,000), Cologne (965,000), and Frankfurt-am-Main (647,000). Berlin should continue to assert itself as a political, economic, and cultural centre of growing importance, not only within Germany but throughout central Europe.

Germany is quite decentralised compared to most other European countries, which tend to be dominated by one large capital city both politically and commercially. Berlin, which was only recently reinstated as the capital city in 1999, is by far the largest city with a population of 3,447,000, followed by Hamburg (1,707,000), Munich (1,217,000), Cologne (965,000), and Frankfurt-am-Main (647,000). Berlin should continue to assert itself as a political, economic, and cultural centre of growing importance, not only within Germany but throughout central Europe.

Traditionally the German hotel sector has suffered from oversupply, a situation which was considerably aggravated by overly generous tax concessions for hotel construction in the eastern part of the country following reunification in 1989. Gradually this supply is being absorbed as demand catches up. Berlin showed the highest growth rate (20.4%) in overnights in registered accommodation of any federal state in 2000, although the capital experienced a slight decline in 2001. The eastern Baltic seacoast state of Mecklenburg-West Pomerania, where tourism has expanded at a rapid pace since the reunification, was top- ranked in 2001, with a healthy 8.3% increase in overnights. Brandenburg, also a part of the former East Germany, was able to counter the trend towards stagnation with a 5.3% rise in overnights in 2001.

Germany leads the world in terms of numbers of visitors to trade fairs, and festivals are an important tourist attraction in Germany. The International Tourismus Börse (ITB), held in Berlin in early March and the Munich Oktoberfest (beer festival) attract over 6 million attendees yearly. With 450,000 square metres of space, Hanover boasts the largest exhibition hall capacity in Europe. Two other German cities, Frankfurt (270,000 sq m) and Cologne (260,000 sq m) are in third and fourth place respectively.

Hotels in the Germany is part of a series of six Mintel reports. The other reports included are:

- Hotels in France, Travel & Tourism Intelligence - European Report, August 2002

- Hotels in Ireland, Travel & Tourism Intelligence - European Report, August 2002

- Hotels in Italy, Travel & Tourism Intelligence - European Report, August 2002

- Hotels in Spain, Travel & Tourism Intelligence - European Report, August 2002

- Hotels in the UK, Leisure Intelligence - UK Report, August 2002

Other reports of relevance include:

- Special Report, Holidays - Coping with a Crisis - UK Report, 2002

- Family Holidays, Travel & Tourism Intelligence - European Report, June 2002

- International Tourism Forecasts to 2015 - Travel & Tourism Intelligence - European Report, June 2002

- Short Breaks Abroad, Leisure Intelligence - UK Report, June 2002

- City Breaks Market, Travel & Tourism Intelligence - European Report, April 2002

- Visitor Attractions, Travel & Tourism Intelligence - European Report, February 2002

- Country Reports - Europe, Travel & Tourism Intelligence - European Reports, January 2002

and the forthcoming:

- Third Age Travel, Travel & Tourism Intelligence - European Report, October 2002

- Pre-family Holidays, Travel & Tourism Intelligence - European Report, December 2002