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Tourism in the Rhön remains at a stable level. Some places are still recording significant declines. New events and projects are expected to attract guests in 2026.
Region – The Rhön is a holiday region and tourism is an important economic factor. When it comes to overnight stay numbers for 2025, Gersfeld is the leader, followed by Poppenhausen. The three Ulstertal municipalities are maintaining a constant level, while Hofbieber is weakening.
Gersfeld is considered the tourism capital of the Rhön and will lead the tourism statistics of the State Statistical Office with almost 130,000 overnight stays in 2025. Poppenhausen follows in second place: with around 2,800 residents, the community is one of the smallest communities in the Fulda district, but still recorded a respectable 73,152 overnight stays. Hilders (51,030 overnight stays), Ehrenberg (24,170 overnight stays) and Tann (19,568 overnight stays) have almost unchanged numbers compared to 2024.
This is how many overnight guests the Rhön communities attracted in 2025
Gersfeld and Hofbieber suffered the biggest losses compared to 2024: The Hotel Sonne in Gersfeld closed in 2025 as well as several holiday apartments. Instead of 143,004 overnight stays in 2024, there were only 129,767 in 2025 – a decrease of 9.3 percent. Bianka Mehler from the tourist information office says: “The numbers are relatively stable, even if it wasn’t a great year.”
According to the State Statistical Office, Hofbieber even recorded a decline of 15.7 percent compared to the previous year. While 43,459 overnight stays were counted in 2024, in 2025 there were only 36,633.
However, what is not included in the state office's figures are companies with fewer than ten beds. In the Rhön municipalities with their villages there are numerous small guesthouses and holiday apartments with fewer than ten beds. This could be a reason for the decline in Hofbieber, suspects Claire Klinkert, Head of Public Affairs and Tourism. “Perhaps many tourists have booked smaller businesses in 2025. In addition, some of the businesses now have long-term tenants. This may also mean that the numbers have fallen.” The municipality also collects its own figures, which are not currently available.
Overnight stays in 2025
Poppenhausen: 73,152 (previous year: 75,516)
Gersfeld: 129,767 (143,004)
Hilders: 51,030 (51,197)
Tann: 19,568 (19,317)
Hofbieber: 36,633 (43,459)
Ehrenberg: 24,170 (24,866)
There are also many smaller accommodation providers in Ehrenberg, explains tourist information manager Kerstin Seegräber. The state office reports 24,170 overnight stays there – but with the small businesses there were 34,261, emphasizes Seegräber. Because Ehrenberg collected numbers himself. In Poppenhausen, the state office documents 73,152 overnight stays, but in fact there were around 112,000, explains Andrea Müller, spokeswoman for the Tourist Association (TAG) “Die Rhöner” and tourism manager in Poppenhausen.
Tourism is an important economic factor for the communities. In order to attract tourists, the municipalities are relying on very different attractions in 2025: Hofbieber advertised the pound museum, the Milseburg cycle path and the new mobile home parking space at the Bieberstein outdoor pool. Ehrenberg scored with that “The Ehrenberger” hiking trail as well as herbal and butterfly tours offered for the first time. Poppenhausen recorded a large number of visitors to the Steinwand, the Love Trail and the Art Mile.
Public stargazing hikes in Tann were almost always fully booked. Hilders celebrated the 15th Rhön Hiking Day as part of the local festival and planned new events in the Ulsterwelle for 2026. One event has already been implemented: 62 children watched a film at the new swimming pool cinema. Gersfeld revived the market square concerts, invited people to the quiet “Night of Harmony” in the castle park this year and opened the new “Gersfeld” special tour.
The people of Rhön have big plans for 2025
TAG has presented itself together on Facebook and Instagram since 2025 under “@einfachrhoen”, reports spokeswoman Müller. Last year there were trade fair appearances at the ADFC in Frankfurt and at the travel fair in Erfurt. “Die Rhöner” have big plans for this year: appearances at three major trade fairs, the 20th anniversary of the premium hiking trail “Der Hochrhöner” – and a presence at the Hesse day in Fulda. “We will be represented in the area 'On the Trail of Nature',” announces Anna Woytaszek from the Hilders Tourist Information Center.
In addition, the individual communities plan individual projects. In Tann, around one million euros, partly financed by IKEK funding, will flow into the preservation of the museum village and its realignment over the course of 2026. With regard to Hilders, Woytaszek emphasizes: “There will definitely be a lot going on in the Ulsterwelle in 2026. There will be sauna nights and dog swimming on offer.” An expansion of the range of mobile home spaces is also being planned in Ehrenberg. Despite the declining figures from the State Statistical Office, the municipalities rate 2025 as solid overall. “Die Rhöner” want to achieve higher guest numbers again in 2026 with differentiated offers.
