Overnight tourism in Schleswig-Holstein – An analysis of demand with a focus on vacation trips

Travel behavior
Own funds project
26.11.2019
Completed

Project duration

2019

Project description

The Institute for Management and Tourism (IMT) of the FH Westküste University of Applied Sciences and Institut für Tourismus- und Bäderforschung in Nordeuropa GmbH (NIT) are among the central “data providers” for tourism in Germany. This is particularly true for Schleswig-Holstein tourism due to its local presence and long-standing ties with the industry.
Data on the travel behavior of Schleswig-Holstein guests and on market potential is regularly collected from various sources (GBSH Schleswig-Holstein Guest Survey, GfK DestinationMonitor Deutschland, FUR Reiseanalyse, DestinationBrand etc.). Each of these research projects has its own special, well-founded focus.

With so many data sources on tourism demand, it is not always easy to maintain an overview. In addition, the results of the individual studies are only comparable to a limited extent, as the respective population, the focus of the content and the survey methods vary.

The study presented here now provides both the necessary overview and detailed insights into specific topics. It is the first independent, cross-study evaluation of all data currently available to the IMT or NIT from consumer research on overnight tourism in Schleswig-Holstein. The study focuses on the German source market and looks in particular at the key vacation travel segment for Schleswig-Holstein from the perspective of (potential) consumers. The strengths of the respective studies were used in a targeted manner (e.g. statements on potential and long time series from the RA, description of the market position in comparison to the other federal states based on DestiMon and detailed description of the travel behavior of Schleswig-Holstein guests from the GBSH). A comprehensive picture of Schleswig-Holstein’s current position in the demand market for vacation travel has emerged. It also takes a look at future potential for Schleswig-Holstein tourism and attitudes towards sustainability.

The most important things in a nutshell:

  • Total tourism consumption in Schleswig-Holstein most recently amounted to 11.7 billion euros, with gross value added in tourism amounting to 6.5 billion euros (8% of total gross value added in Schleswig-Holstein). 13% of the working population is employed directly or indirectly in tourism.
  • With a market share of 21%, Schleswig-Holstein is the top domestic destination for longer vacation trips. North Rhine-Westphalia remains the most important source market.
  • Awareness, sympathy and willingness to visit the destination of Schleswig-Holstein have steadily increased since 2009, the proportion of regular guests and the willingness to return are high.
  • When deciding on Schleswig-Holstein and the activities during the vacation, the water (beach, sea, swimming, maritime atmosphere) and exercise in nature (walking or cycling rather than hiking) are in the foreground.
  • More than a third of the population will consider Schleswig-Holstein as a vacation destination in the next three years (2019-2021). On the wish list of those interested are mainly recreational vacations, beach/spa vacations and family vacations.

Project results

The study and a press release are available for use, quoting the source "IMT/NIT 2019".

Anne Köchling (German Institute for Tourism Research) and especially Bente Grimm on the NIT side are available to answer any questions.

Project participants

Institut für Tourismus- und Bäderforschung in Nordeuropa GmbH (NIT)

Contact at the German Institute for Tourism Research

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