Berlin vs London

London leads Berlin by 3 points on the CIRA Index, 77 to 74. Berlin grades better on 7 measures, London on 9; the same 35 measures from public sources for both.

Scores by each organisation's criteria

• CIRA Index: Berlin 74, London 77
• OECD: Berlin 74, London 76
• UN Tourism: Berlin 78, London 81
• UNDRR: Berlin 63, London 71

Theme by theme

• Demand and seasonality: Berlin 71, London 79
• Economy and jobs: Berlin 75, London 88
• Climate and hazards: Berlin 65, London 65
• Water and environment: Berlin 88, London 88
• Community and housing: Berlin 81, London 58
• Access and continuity: Berlin 71, London 75

Where Berlin is stronger

• Domestic share of nights: 58.2 % of nights by residents of the same country (Amt für Statistik Berlin-Brandenburg / Berlin Business Location Center, 2024). At or above 45: grade 4/4.
• Largest foreign market: 10.7 % of international arrivals or nights (Amt für Statistik Berlin-Brandenburg, Jan–Sep 2024). At or below 15: grade 4/4.
• Municipal waste per resident: 231.6 kg per resident per year (Amt für Statistik Berlin-Brandenburg, Höchste Pro-Kopf-Abfallmenge in Cottbus / Abfallwirtschaft, 2024). At or below 350: grade 4/4.
• Tourism intensity: 8.3 visitor nights per resident per year (Amt für Statistik Berlin-Brandenburg, 2024). Between 5 and 10: grade 3/4.
• Short-let density: 0.3 short-term rental listings per 100 dwellings (Airbtics & Amt für Statistik Berlin-Brandenburg, 2025–2026). At or below 0.5: grade 4/4.
• Early warning and emergency plan: An updated, tested plan that names visitors and tourism operators, with warnings in several languages (Berlin.de & Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance (BBK), 2024). Grade 4/4.
• Dedicated tourism funding: A dedicated source such as a tourist tax or levy (Berlin Senate Department of Finance / visitBerlin, 2025). Grade 2/4.

Where London is stronger

• Recovery against 2019: 105.5 % of 2019 visitor nights reached in the latest full year (Greater London Authority (GLA Economics), A snapshot of tourist accommodation in London, 2024). Between 100 and 110: grade 3/4.
• Average length of stay: 4.3 nights per visitor (Greater London Authority (GLA Economics), A snapshot of tourist accommodation in London, 2024). At or above 3.5: grade 4/4.
• Hotel bed or room occupancy: 82 % average annual occupancy (Knight Frank, UK Hotel Trading Performance Review, 2024). At or above 75: grade 4/4.
• Jobs in tourism industries: 7.1 % of employment in accommodation and food services (country figure) (World Economic Forum, TTDI 2026 (data: Travel & Tourism Economic Impact Research by World Travel & Tourism Council; Travel & Tourism by World Travel & Tourism Council), 2026). At or below 8: grade 4/4.
• Unemployment rate: 6.5 % of the labour force (region figure) (Office for National Statistics, Labour market in the regions of the UK: August 2026, April to June 2026). Between 5 and 8: grade 3/4.
• Green space: 49.5 % of the urban area that is green or tree-covered (Greater London Authority, London Green and Blue Cover, 2019). At or above 40: grade 4/4.
• Rent growth: 2.2 % change in rents over the last 12 months (region figure) (Office for National Statistics (ONS), Private rent and house prices, UK: July 2026, 12 months to June 2026). At or below 3: grade 4/4.
• Access redundancy: 4 independent ways in: international airport, intercity rail, port, motorway (Transport for London / Port of London Authority, 2026). At or above 4: grade 4/4.
• Tourism crisis and recovery plan: A plan with named owners, operators and recovery funding (London & Partners & Mayor of London, 2022–2025). Grade 3/4.

Country context (World Economic Forum)

• Germany: #6 of 110 in the WEF Travel & Tourism Development Index 2026
• United Kingdom: #7 of 110 in the WEF Travel & Tourism Development Index 2026

Berlin in full · London in full

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