Czechia’s Allure Grows: Rising Visitor Counts and Longer Stays Year After Year!
Tourists from the USA and Asia Are Visiting Czechia More Frequently
Check out the data for the first quarter of this year, which highlights rising tourist interest in Czechia. Notably, tourists from far-off markets such as the United States (73.7 thousand), South Korea (49.8 thousand), Taiwan (36.8 thousand), and Israel (33.4 thousand) are leading the charge. In general, popular destinations for foreign visitors include Prague, Karlovy Vary, and South Moravia. Domestically, visitor overnight stays increased by 4.1% to 5.7 million nights, while foreign tourists accounted for 5.4 million nights, marking a 7.3% rise compared to last year.
“Czechia is clearly gaining traction among tourists. Both arrivals and overnight stays are on the rise for domestic and foreign guests alike. It’s encouraging to see increased visitor numbers across all regions year-on-year. We find that today’s tourism trends are heavily influenced not only by price and service quality, but also by a sense of security, accessibility, and ease of travel—areas where Czechia excels,” states František Reismüller, Director of the Czech Tourist Authority – CzechTourism. He adds: “This trend highlights that Czechia is becoming more established outside of Europe. We are monitoring developments in the Middle East closely, as they could impact tourism, particularly through airline disruptions and reduced travel willingness from affected regions. However, we don’t anticipate any drastic short-term effects. Also, since Czechia is not reliant on just one or two markets, any disruptions can be managed by bolstering domestic tourism. It’s crucial to enhance awareness in countries sending us more tourists over the long term while also exploring new opportunities, especially in Central Asia, where Czech spas hold significant potential.”
Prague Takes the Lead, With Karlovy Vary Notably Long Stays
Guest numbers rose across all regions of Czechia. In the first quarter, Prague welcomed nearly 1.7 million guests, who spent a total of 3.8 million nights in the capital. Following Prague, the Hradec Králové Region attracted 372,000 visitors, while over 250,000 guests stayed in South Moravia, Karlovy Vary, and Liberec regions.
Foreign visitors primarily opted for Prague, Karlovy Vary, and South Moravia. In addition to the capital, domestic tourists also chose the Hradec Králové and Liberec regions. Year-on-year overnight stays increased across the board, with most nights spent in Prague; the Hradec Králové and Karlovy Vary regions also recorded over one million nights.
The Karlovy Vary Region maintained the longest average stay, nearing five days. Hradec Králové, Liberec, Olomouc, Jihocesky, and Zlín regions also exceeded the national average. Notably, the Karlovy Vary Region has one of the highest shares of foreign clients.
Hotels Remain the Top Accommodation Choice
Hotel stays saw a 5.6% year-on-year uptick in visitor arrivals, with 3.4 million guests checking in during the first quarter of 2026. Domestic visitors rose by 6.4%, while international visitors increased by 5%. Overnight hotel stays increased by 6.3%, totaling nearly 8 million nights.
Four-star hotels attracted the most guests, with 1.7 million visitors in the first quarter. This sector continues to benefit from the expanding demand from foreign tourists. Meanwhile, guesthouses experienced a marginal decline of 0.4% in guests year-on-year, although overnight stays increased by 1.2%.
Stronger Air Links Enhance Czech Reputation
Current data for the first quarter of 2026 indicates that air connections with Czechia are improving. At Václav Havel Airport Prague, the number of flights grew by 8.6%, while available seats rose by 11.2%. Low-cost airlines are expanding faster than traditional carriers. Long-haul flights are particularly on the rise, reflecting the introduction of direct routes primarily to Asian and American markets. Korea and Germany showed the highest growth among source markets. This surge in long-haul flights coincides with the ongoing return of visitors from non-European regions.
“Supporting direct air connections is a key part of CzechTourism’s strategy. Thanks to these efforts, accessibility from abroad continues to improve. A direct flight from Prague to Philadelphia in the USA will commence at the end of May, accompanied by new services to ten additional cities worldwide. We also see that Czechia has maintained a positive image among foreign visitors over time. Beyond the aspects of safety, tourists from key markets such as the USA, the UK, Germany, Italy, and Korea admire the quality of service, the wealth of experiences available, and the overall atmosphere of the destination. Foreigners generally hold a favorable view of the climate, weather, and the variety within the tourist offerings,” adds František Reismüller.
Foreign visitors primarily seek cultural experiences and sightseeing, along with active vacations and family activities. Gastronomy, entertainment, nature, and wellness follow closely. Notably, there was a 6.1% increase in positive feedback relating to Czech gastronomy, boosted by greater international interest, including the inaugural Michelin Guide to Czechia.
Czech Spas Eye Opportunities in Central Asia
The Czech spa sector is increasingly looking to Central Asian countries, alongside traditional foreign markets. Given the influence of geopolitics and global conflicts on tourism, identifying new opportunities and broadening the range of foreign visitors is crucial.
People from these countries have long appreciated Czech spas, aware of their rich history and service quality. With direct flights to Prague, and to some extent Karlovy Vary, accessibility is promising. CzechTourism aims to amplify its promotional efforts in these regions. For example, it is building on successful roadshows in Astana, Almaty, and Shymkent, while preparing further initiatives in collaboration with the Association of Travel Agencies of Kazakhstan and participating in a trade fair in Uzbekistan.
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