Further results on measuring the contribution of tourism to Germans’ quality of life

How do Germans rate their quality of life and what contribution does tourism in their own place of residence make to their perceived quality of life – these are the central questions addressed by the Quality of Life and Tourism project of the German Institute for Tourism Research at FH Westküste University of Applied Sciences. Following a pilot study in fall 2022, a repeat survey was conducted in spring 2023 with an expanded methodology and sample. A total of 11,950 Germans aged 16 and over were asked about their quality of life. The results of the representative population survey were used for state-specific and nationwide analyses of possible influencing factors on the perceived quality of life using multiple regression analyses. In addition, the German Institute for Tourism Research carried out a benchmark analysis of the twelve participating federal states. The results confirm the subjectivity and context dependency of the complex quality of life construct. The comparative analyses enable the identification of optimization potentials and the derivation of recommendations for action. The overarching aim of conducting the repeat measurement was to validate and consolidate the results from the 2022 pilot study, in particular the results of the exploratory regression analysis at federal level. In addition, statements on the perceived quality of life, various aspects of the general living situation, the perceived effects of tourism, identification with one’s own place of residence and the desired influence on tourism development in one’s own place of residence at federal state level were to be made possible. On the basis of the repeat measurement, the development of an approach for measuring the contribution of tourism to the perceived quality of life of residents was to be further deepened. The extensive repeat measurement was an important step towards achieving this goal. To this end, the online survey was supplemented by telephone interviews so that the population over the age of 74 could also be reached. Sample boosts were used to generate meaningful results for twelve participating federal states, which were compared in a benchmark and made comparable. The results are representative of the resident population aged 16 and over in the destination in question (Germany as a whole, federal state as a whole) and weighted according to gender, age, place of residence and education. As in the pilot study, factors influencing the quality of life of Germans were identified for each destination under consideration using multiple regression analysis. On a scale from “0= very low quality of life” to “10= very high quality of life”, a total of 46% of Germans stated that they perceived a (very) high quality of life (response options 8-10). The results at federal state level make it clear that there are statistically significant differences in the perceived quality of life. The approval ratings for a (very) high quality of life vary between 32% and 51%. With regard to the various aspects of the general living situation, it became clear that the importance of the individual aspects varies only slightly between the federal states. However, there are clear differences in satisfaction with some aspects.

A comparison of the top 2 values for satisfaction with the range of restaurants and cafés, for example, showed a difference of 35 percentage points between the federal state with the highest top 2 value in this category (73%) and the federal state with the lowest value (38%). In the case of satisfaction with leisure and cultural activities, a range of 32 percentage points was found. Satisfaction with local recreation and opportunities to spend time in nature is relatively balanced. This aspect is the aspect with the highest level of satisfaction in almost all federal states and at a national level, with the top 2 values fluctuating between 81% and 65%. The results of the multiple regression analysis show that 39 influencing factors (predictors) can be identified at federal level, which together explain 31% of the perceived quality of life. It is striking that aspects of identification with one’s own place of residence in particular have a positive influence on Germans’ perceived quality of life. The feeling of living in a special place that one would like to share with others, strong community ties and the opportunity to get involved are the three aspects with the greatest influence on the perceived quality of life. Tourism-related aspects were also identified as drivers of Germans’ perceived quality of life. If residents perceive the effects of tourism on themselves personally as positive, i.e. if they have a high level of personal acceptance of tourism, this contributes to an increase in quality of life. Perceptions that tourism generates investment, that there is a more diverse range of restaurants and cafés or that there is an important cultural exchange with guests in the place of residence also contribute to an improvement in quality of life. On the other hand, if, for example, environmental pollution caused by tourism is recognized or a high frequency of contact with tourists in one’s own living environment is perceived, this inhibits one’s own quality of life. The results clearly show that, in addition to other factors, tourism can have a driving but also an inhibiting effect on the perceived quality of life of Germans and, in particular, that strengthening acceptance and minimizing the negative effects of tourism can contribute not only to positive tourism development but also to the quality of life of residents. Regression analyses were also carried out for the twelve participating federal states to identify the driving or inhibiting factors of the perceived quality of life of the inhabitants. Based on the extensive statistical analyses, no central predictor could be identified that contributes equally to quality of life in all federal states. Rather, the complexity and context dependency of the quality of life construct became clear. However, the results of the multiple regression analyses show that aspects of identification with one’s own place of residence, in particular pride of residence and attachment to one’s place of residence, are important factors influencing the quality of life of residents in a large number of federal states. The next steps planned for the project are a further investigation into the topic of identification and attachment as well as deeper insights into the area of ecological sustainability. In particular, the urban context will be examined more closely.