Beherbergungsstatistik (accommodation statistics)

Beherbergungsstatistik is Germany’s statutory monthly accommodation survey, conducted by the Statistisches Bundesamt (Destatis) in cooperation with the regional Statistische Landesämter. Under the Beherbergungsstatistikgesetz (BeherbStatG, enacted 2002), any accommodation establishment offering at least ten beds must report the number of guest arrivals and nights spent each calendar month, broken down by country of origin. Returns are due within a fixed deadline after the end of each reporting month and are typically submitted via a secure online portal; failure to report is an administrative offence. The aggregated data feed Germany’s national tourism statistics and EU harmonised overnight statistics (Eurostat). For campground operators in Germany, the obligation covers all paying guests on touring pitches, permanent pitches and rental units, regardless of stay length. Where a campsite management system already captures guest origin and stay dates at booking or check-in, the monthly report can be generated automatically without staff counting records by hand. Switzerland’s equivalent is HESTA, administered by the Federal Statistical Office (BFS).