Transformation and Joy of Life: Sustainable Tourism Between Happiness and the Pleasure of Wine

From October 29, 2025, to October 31, 2025, experts in tourism research and practice gathered in the Palatinate for the 7th Deidesheim Conference on Tourism Studies.

In line with the main theme, various thematic blocks were organized to facilitate professional exchange, such as “Tourism and Wine,” “Tourism and Happiness,” and “Sustainability and Transformation.” This year, for the first time, a workshop was held in collaboration with Rheinland-Pfalz Tourismus GmbH and Pfalz Touristik e.V. to explore the opportunities and limitations of sustainability certifications for tourism in Rhineland-Palatinate.

During the technical discussions, particular attention was paid to the current challenges facing the wine industry, which can have a significant impact on tourism in the region. Participants discussed potential synergies in hiking tourism and opportunities for sustainable mobility in wine tourism.

During the public portion of the event on October 30, 2025, interested citizens, service providers, and experts engaged in a discussion. Following a presentation on tourism research, participants jointly discussed the question, “What benefits does tourism bring to the city of Deidesheim?”

The Deidesheim Talks on Tourism Studies are an integral part of the partnership—established in 2013—between the German Institute for Tourism Research at FH Westküste University of Applied Sciences, the City of Deidesheim, and Tourist Service GmbH Deidesheim. The event series takes place every two years, with alternating, current thematic focuses.