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Ehrenberg in the Rhön now has the title of “tourist resort”. 40,000 overnight stays are counted in the community every year.
Ehrenberg – Ehrenberg in the Fulda district has earned the title “tourist resort”. After thorough examination, the specialist committee for spa, recreation and tourism resorts at the Kassel regional council unanimously decided to award the municipality this award for the first time. The Kassel regional council announced this in a press release.
The award includes the districts of Melperts, Reulbach, Seiferts, Thaiden and Wüstensachsen. On June 9th, District President Mark Weinmeister presented the certificate of recognition at a small celebration in Ehrenberg town hall. Mayor Peter Kirchner also received a certificate from the Hessian Economics Minister.
The municipality of Ehrenberg receives the title of tourist resort
He presented Mayor Peter Kirchner with a certificate from the Hessian Economics Minister. “Ehrenberg is beautifully situated in the middle of the Unesco Rhön Biosphere Reserve. On the upper reaches of the Ulster, in the middle of a low mountain range, the community is an ideal starting point for hiking and cycling tours in the High Rhön and the Wasserkuppe,” said Weinmeister.
“Natural beauties and a magnificent biodiversity can be discovered in the community. 40,000 guest overnight stays per year in a town of 2,500 residents speak for themselves,” added the district president, who warmly congratulated the residents on achieving the coveted award.
“We are very pleased to have been awarded the title of 'Tourism Location' and see it as a wonderful recognition of the work of many committed people in our community. As the 'Heart of the Rhön', we are proud to be able to offer guests and locals alike a home worth living in in the midst of a unique natural and cultural landscape,” said Peter Kirchner, thanking him for the award of the title.
“Tourism is an important pillar for Ehrenberg because it helps to maintain important infrastructure offerings such as restaurants, shopping facilities or gas stations in rural areas. At the same time, the award is also a clear sign for us that our guests feel comfortable with us and enjoy coming to Ehrenberg,” added the mayor.
Background information: The municipal council of Ehrenberg had previously decided not to reapply for the “climatic health resort” designation for Desert Saxony and instead to pursue the “tourism resort” designation for the entire municipal area. The test procedure was successfully completed in 2025.
At the regular meeting in October 2025, the Hessian technical committee recommended awarding the title. The Hessian Ministry for Economic Affairs, Energy, Transport, Housing and Rural Areas agreed to this recommendation in January 2026. Tourism destinations must have more than twice as many overnight stays as residents.
Background: health resort, healing fountains etc.
The “Definitions for health resorts, resorts and healing fountains” published by the German Spa Association and the German Tourism Association in their most recent version are decisive for the definition and assessment of the criteria required for recognition for the designations spa to resort.
The Hessian “Ordinance on Recognition as a Spa, Recreational or Tourism Resort” (KurortV) is decisive for the definition and assessment of the criteria required for recognition of the title of tourist resort. The Hessian Technical Committee for Spa, Recreation and Tourism Resorts has been formed at the RP Kassel to provide technical advice.
The rating must be checked after ten years at the latest. If the requirements are no longer met, the recognition of the title must be revoked. There is no legal right to award or retain a title. There are currently 150 predicate places/districts in Hesse (as of April 30, 2026).
They must also stand out from other places through their scenic location or important cultural institutions. The title entitles the holder to collect a tourism contribution from overnight guests, which must flow into the tourism infrastructure and marketing. The municipalities lay down the exact regulations in their statutes.
For example, Bad Orb celebrated a milestone in spring 2026. The spa town in the Main-Kinzig district can continue to call itself a spa for the next ten years, i.e. until at least 2036 – the highest spa resort rating for a health location. This was made possible by, among other things Investments in the Balnova health center and bathhouse.
