Czechs are increasingly choosing to spend their winter holidays in Czechia, with 47% of residents planning to spend their holidays here this year, which is 4% more than last year. On average, they plan a seven-day stay and expect to spend an average of CZK 8,342 per person. Most often they want to go to the Liberec and Hradec Kralove regions. In addition to skiing and cross-country skiing, they are also attracted by hiking and relaxation. It results from the latest survey of the Czech Tourist Authority – CzechTourism.
Czechs stay at home
Almost half of the respondents are planning a winter holiday in Czechia. More than a fifth of respondents expect to pay more this year, while less than a tenth plan to spend less.
„The undeniable advantage of the Czech mountains is their proximity and easy accessibility. Domestic slopes are not so extreme, so they are ideal for families with children and the perfect place for active relaxation and a relaxing holiday. It is great that a growing number of Czechs are planning to spend their winter holidays here and that domestic skiers and snowboarders remain loyal to the Czech mountains," says director of the Czech Tourist Authority – CzechTourism František Reismüller, adding: „Every local mountain resort has something to offer – from modern infrastructure to attractive ski slopes to peace and fresh air, which is so lacking in urban environments. And the Jeseníky Mountains are ready too, welcoming visitors again despite the recent floods. Not only there, but across all the Czech mountains, your visit makes sense."
Rest and active movement, Czechs seek balance in the mountains
A research by the Institute of Tourism shows that hiking (64%) and lighter walks (56%) are the most frequently planned activities on winter holidays in Czechia. Downhill skiing remains popular with 33% of Czechs and cross-country skiing is planned by 29% of respondents. For 31% of people, the holiday will be relaxing with lighter activities, while 17% prefer active sports holidays. 21% of the respondents plan a completely passive relaxation.
Most Czechs choose well-established places and family comfort
Most people (72%) plan to travel by car, which is the most frequently used means of transport. Czechs mainly choose guesthouses (46%) or higher category hotels (36%) for their stay, with price (88%), quality of service (86%) and personal experience (85%) being the key factors when choosing accommodation.
“Interestingly, 40% of respondents plan to visit new places, while 33% will return to their favourites. People most often want to enjoy their winter holidays with their family (43%) and partner (39%),” summarizes head of the Institute of Tourism Petr Janeček.
Expenses are rising, but Czechs don't want to save money
Planned spending on winter holidays rose by CZK 1 509 to an average of CZK 8 342 per person. Accommodation (48%) and meals in restaurants (19%) make up the largest part of the spending. Only 9% of people plan to spend less on their winter holidays than last year. On the other hand, 21% of Czechs expect their spending to be higher.
Advent and New Year's Eve at home, but with a trip to the markets
During Advent, three-quarters of people plan to visit domestic Christmas markets, which have long been among the most popular trip destinations. Half of the respondents want to enjoy the Christmas atmosphere with the smell of mulled wine and punch in their place of residence, a quarter plan to visit markets in another city and 8% of them will also head abroad. Up to 72% of Czechs plan to be at home or with friends on New Year's Eve.
One third of Czechs will go abroad in winter
The number of those planning to go abroad in the winter has slightly increased. Those who will not go abroad in winter cite the most common reason as simply staying at home (59%) or not having enough money for a stay abroad (45%).
Investing in the mountains: upgrading cable cars and new attractions
Czech mountain resorts invested a record one and three-quarter billion crowns in modernisation this year. They offer not only better services and facilities, but also new attractions. People can look forward to comfortable apartments or new cable cars. The resorts' net investment directly into this winter amounted to around 800 million crowns. The good news for skiers is that ski pass prices remain at last year's level. In two thirds of resorts, prices are unchanged, some have even become cheaper
„Thanks to modern technologies such as more efficient snow cannons or accumulation tanks, we are not only saving water and energy, but also guaranteeing high quality snow conditions. In addition, more and more resorts are switching to floating prices, which allows visitors to save money when buying ski passes early,“ adds Director of the Mountain Resorts Association Libor Knot.
Traditionally, Prague enjoys great interest during the festive season, mainly due to its rich cultural programme and New Year celebrations. On weekdays (23-27 December) the occupancy rate reaches 56.6% with an average price per room per night of CZK 4,903. On the weekend (27-29 December) the occupancy rate rises to 70.7% and the average price per room rises to CZK 7,561.
If we use the data for the whole Christmas and New Year's Eve period (23-31 December), the average price for a room in the regions outside Prague is CZK 2,000 to 3,300. In the capital, it is CZK 8,137 per night. Occupancy in the capital peaks at the turn of the year (30 December 2024 & 3 January 2025), when it reaches 73.3% with an average price of CZK 7,856 per room.
In mountain areas, the average occupancy rate of accommodation facilities is between 60–80%, which corresponds to the high interest in winter sports and recreation. Currently, the Krkonoše Mountains and Sumava have the highest number of bookings. During the working week (23-27 December), the average price per room and night in these regions is CZK 3,856 and 2,468 respectively, while at the weekend (27-29 December) it rises slightly to CZK 5,351 and 2,903 respectively. CZK. The highest demand for accommodation in the mountains is in ski resorts, where operators expect a further increase in occupancy just before the end of the year.
Camps attract foreign tourists too
Domestic ski slopes and cross-country ski trails also attract winter sports enthusiasts campaign of CzechTourism. The aim is to motivate domestic as well as foreign tourists from selected countries to visit the „Bohemian Mountains“. The regions are ready for visitors who will help boost the local economy with their presence and enjoy an unforgettable winter holiday at the same time. Up-to-date information on snow conditions and tips for trips are available at Ways from Boredom and Holidayinfo.
Almost half of the respondents are planning a winter holiday in Czechia. More than a fifth of respondents expect to pay more this year, while less than a tenth plan to spend less.
„The undeniable advantage of the Czech mountains is their proximity and easy accessibility. Domestic slopes are not so extreme, so they are ideal for families with children and the perfect place for active relaxation and a relaxing holiday. It is great that a growing number of Czechs are planning to spend their winter holidays here and that domestic skiers and snowboarders remain loyal to the Czech mountains," says director of the Czech Tourist Authority – CzechTourism František Reismüller, adding: „Every local mountain resort has something to offer – from modern infrastructure to attractive ski slopes to peace and fresh air, which is so lacking in urban environments. And the Jeseníky Mountains are ready too, welcoming visitors again despite the recent floods. Not only there, but across all the Czech mountains, your visit makes sense."
Rest and active movement, Czechs seek balance in the mountains
A research by the Institute of Tourism shows that hiking (64%) and lighter walks (56%) are the most frequently planned activities on winter holidays in Czechia. Downhill skiing remains popular with 33% of Czechs and cross-country skiing is planned by 29% of respondents. For 31% of people, the holiday will be relaxing with lighter activities, while 17% prefer active sports holidays. 21% of the respondents plan a completely passive relaxation.
Most Czechs choose well-established places and family comfort
Most people (72%) plan to travel by car, which is the most frequently used means of transport. Czechs mainly choose guesthouses (46%) or higher category hotels (36%) for their stay, with price (88%), quality of service (86%) and personal experience (85%) being the key factors when choosing accommodation.
“Interestingly, 40% of respondents plan to visit new places, while 33% will return to their favourites. People most often want to enjoy their winter holidays with their family (43%) and partner (39%),” summarizes head of the Institute of Tourism Petr Janeček.
Expenses are rising, but Czechs don't want to save money
Planned spending on winter holidays rose by CZK 1 509 to an average of CZK 8 342 per person. Accommodation (48%) and meals in restaurants (19%) make up the largest part of the spending. Only 9% of people plan to spend less on their winter holidays than last year. On the other hand, 21% of Czechs expect their spending to be higher.
Advent and New Year's Eve at home, but with a trip to the markets
During Advent, three-quarters of people plan to visit domestic Christmas markets, which have long been among the most popular trip destinations. Half of the respondents want to enjoy the Christmas atmosphere with the smell of mulled wine and punch in their place of residence, a quarter plan to visit markets in another city and 8% of them will also head abroad. Up to 72% of Czechs plan to be at home or with friends on New Year's Eve.
One third of Czechs will go abroad in winter
The number of those planning to go abroad in the winter has slightly increased. Those who will not go abroad in winter cite the most common reason as simply staying at home (59%) or not having enough money for a stay abroad (45%).
Investing in the mountains: upgrading cable cars and new attractions
Czech mountain resorts invested a record one and three-quarter billion crowns in modernisation this year. They offer not only better services and facilities, but also new attractions. People can look forward to comfortable apartments or new cable cars. The resorts' net investment directly into this winter amounted to around 800 million crowns. The good news for skiers is that ski pass prices remain at last year's level. In two thirds of resorts, prices are unchanged, some have even become cheaper
„Thanks to modern technologies such as more efficient snow cannons or accumulation tanks, we are not only saving water and energy, but also guaranteeing high quality snow conditions. In addition, more and more resorts are switching to floating prices, which allows visitors to save money when buying ski passes early,“ adds Director of the Mountain Resorts Association Libor Knot.
Occupancy during Christmas and New Year's Eve in the Czech Republic
Data available on the CzechTourism - Tourdata portal confirms the annual trend of growing interest in accommodation in the Czech Republic during Christmas and New Year's Eve, especially from foreign visitors, as the end of the year approaches. Mass accommodation operators across the country are currently reporting above half occupancy (55.6%) during the working week (23-27 December 2024), with the average price being CZK 3,058 per room per night. During the weekend, including Friday (27 - 29.12.2024), both the number of bookings (62.7%) and the average price per room (CZK 3,424) are increasing. The highest occupancy is currently in the Liberec and Hradec Kralove regions.Traditionally, Prague enjoys great interest during the festive season, mainly due to its rich cultural programme and New Year celebrations. On weekdays (23-27 December) the occupancy rate reaches 56.6% with an average price per room per night of CZK 4,903. On the weekend (27-29 December) the occupancy rate rises to 70.7% and the average price per room rises to CZK 7,561.
If we use the data for the whole Christmas and New Year's Eve period (23-31 December), the average price for a room in the regions outside Prague is CZK 2,000 to 3,300. In the capital, it is CZK 8,137 per night. Occupancy in the capital peaks at the turn of the year (30 December 2024 & 3 January 2025), when it reaches 73.3% with an average price of CZK 7,856 per room.
In mountain areas, the average occupancy rate of accommodation facilities is between 60–80%, which corresponds to the high interest in winter sports and recreation. Currently, the Krkonoše Mountains and Sumava have the highest number of bookings. During the working week (23-27 December), the average price per room and night in these regions is CZK 3,856 and 2,468 respectively, while at the weekend (27-29 December) it rises slightly to CZK 5,351 and 2,903 respectively. CZK. The highest demand for accommodation in the mountains is in ski resorts, where operators expect a further increase in occupancy just before the end of the year.
Camps attract foreign tourists too
Domestic ski slopes and cross-country ski trails also attract winter sports enthusiasts campaign of CzechTourism. The aim is to motivate domestic as well as foreign tourists from selected countries to visit the „Bohemian Mountains“. The regions are ready for visitors who will help boost the local economy with their presence and enjoy an unforgettable winter holiday at the same time. Up-to-date information on snow conditions and tips for trips are available at Ways from Boredom and Holidayinfo.
- Collection method → CAWI – online structured panel interviewing
- Investigation participation → 1,000 respondents
- Target group – Residents of Czechia – quota character → gender, age, education, size of place of residence and region
- Data collection – in the period 7-20 November 2024