Research projects

What will short-term vacation demand among Germans look like over the next three months? In collaboration with the German Tourism Association (DTV), this research project is examining how the vacation travel intentions of the German-speaking resident population are likely to evolve.

The project examines visitor demographics and behavior in Cotubanamá National Park (Dominican Republic).

In collaboration with the German Tourism Association (DTV), this research project examines how the current global political situation is affecting short-term vacation travel plans (3 months) among the German-speaking resident population. The focus is on the question of how global political uncertainties and crises influence travel intentions, booking behavior, and perceptions of safety.

How do Spaniards, French, and Norwegians feel about tourism in their communities? Following the successful implementation of a tourism acceptance survey in Germany, a Europe-wide comparable survey will be launched for the first time in 2026 in selected countries. This marks an important milestone for the standardized collection of local residents’ perspectives on tourism and provides a crucial data foundation for evidence-based decision-making in the tourism sector.

NaWeDe is creating an AI-powered digital sustainability guide for tourist destinations in the DACH region. This interactive knowledge hub brings together best practices, measures, and practical knowledge on sustainable tourism development, helping tourism stakeholders find suitable solutions more quickly, share knowledge, and drive sustainable transformation in a targeted manner.

The project examines how childhood experiences with nature shape a sense of connection to nature in adulthood, as well as commitment to protected areas and environmentally friendly behavior in Germany. Using an online panel survey, the study links memories of childhood experiences in nature to current attitudes and behaviors, identifies key predictors of engagement, compares childhood experiences in urban and rural settings, and examines barriers to a stronger connection with nature.

The integration of viticulture and tourism presents opportunities for both sectors. Due to their unique natural and cultural characteristics, wine-growing regions often provide excellent conditions for tourism and offer wine-related attractions that are of interest to tourists. At the same time, viticulture can benefit from tourism, for example through direct marketing or by attracting new target groups.

How important is nature tourism to German travelers when choosing South Africa as a vacation destination? This question is at the heart of the project.

The project examines how virtual influencers shape the travel behavior of international tourists. It focuses on the psychological processes triggered by AI-driven influencers in a tourism context and how these processes shape Germany’s image and appeal as a travel destination.

This project examines punk music as a reflection of social discourses surrounding travel. Through a qualitative analysis of song lyrics collected via a scene-specific call for submissions, the project demonstrates how punk negotiates cultural notions of mobility, destinations, and identity.

The Destination Dashboard is an innovative pilot project that is developing a central platform for visualizing, analyzing, and forecasting tourism data.

Development and application of a valid and reliable instrument for measuring German travelers' awareness of the consequences of climate change at travel destinations and their responses to this awareness.