Travel analysis
The statistics show that more than half of the population now have a positive attitude to sustainability when it comes to holidays: 56 percent of the population consider ecological or social sustainability to be important for holidays. The level of agreement for social aspects is slightly higher than for environmental aspects. On the whole, this positive attitude has increased slightly in recent years.
On the basis of the data in the 2019 travel analysis, the research alliance Urlaub und Reisen (FUR), on behalf of the Federal Environment Ministry, also drew up demand-based indicators for sustainable holidays for the first time. The analysis reveals that the gap between a positive attitude to sustainability and actual sustainable behaviour on holiday remains very wide. There is also considerable room for improvement regarding CO2 compensation: In 2018 only four percent of flights were offset. Further findings were published in December 2019.
The findings of the 2014 travel analysis, carried out for the first time on behalf of the Federal Environment Ministry, also show that for more than half of all Germans, experiencing nature is a particularly important element of travel.
In other words, Germans have an interest in mindful travel, in particular when it comes to nature-related activities and contact with the local population. However, implementing these interests is another matter. The question that remains is how can sustainable tourism concepts be structured in a more attractive way? The 2014 travel analysis, for example, looked at which views on sustainable tourism are represented, and in what circumstances Germans would consider making greater use of sustainable holiday options. It also set out possible options and fields for action.