- Assessing if Schleswig-Holstein's tourism can excel in combating climate change.
Will Schleswig-Holstein's Tourism Triumph in Climate Change? Maybe in the future, we'll advocate for the milder summer climate, just like Scandinavian countries do, suggested Bettina Bunge, CEO of Tourism Agency Schleswig-Holstein (TA.SH), unveiling the interim results. The buzzword is "Coolcation," which could signify both a cooler and a more relaxing vacation. "We see potential in this," said Bunge. The influence of climate change on tourism is a topic of global discussion.
Tent Pitching Plunge
Currently, however, tourism specialists in Schleswig-Holstein are grappling with a subpar first half of 2024. The camping sector took a significant hit with a 5.9 percent decrease to 1.86 million nights spent. The camping craze that started during the COVID-19 outbreak seems to be temporarily winding down.
In total, around 4.1 million tourists visited the north in the first half of the year, a mere 0.2 percent increase from the first six months of 2023. Overnight stays were around 15.7 million, a 0.3 percent decrease. "There's no more COVID-19 compensation effect," said Bunge.
Euro 2024 and Late Summer Holidays
June was particularly sluggish this year, with fewer domestic tourists. The UEFA European Football Championship had an impact here. Many fans watched the matches at home and only departed on vacation post-tournament. The weather also played a role in hesitant booking behavior due to its unpredictability and partly rainy and cool periods. The statistics from the North office include establishments with at least ten beds.
From Tourism Minister Claus Ruhe Madsen's (CDU) perspective, it's already an impressive feat to preserve overnight stays and tourism revenue at high levels in these uncertain times. "Given numerous uncertainties, people naturally think about where they want to spend their money," said Madsen. Success can't just be measured by "faster - higher - further" numbers. "There's much more to it," said Madsen, referring to the sustainability approach in the tourism strategy. Bunge said that hopes rest on the crucial second half of the year, which contributes a larger share to the overall result than the first six months.
Winners and Losers
Schleswig-Holstein provides around 146,000 beds in 3,508 businesses, a slight increase in beds but fewer companies than last year. The occupancy rate dropped by one percentage point to 30 percent. Among the regions and places in Schleswig-Holstein, Wyk auf Föhr (minus 1.6 percent), Heiligenhafen (minus 1.1 percent), Grömitz (minus 0.5 percent), and the municipality of Sylt (minus 0.3 percent) experienced losses in overnight stays without camping.
The scarcity of skilled labor is making matters more challenging.
An ever-growing concern, according to Madsen, is the scarcity of skilled labor. This issue keeps escalating. Some restaurateurs have taken days off or curtailed their services as a result. To attract more workers, Madsen believes unemployment benefits should be overhauled. More flexible working hours are necessary, and businesses are also encouraged to make work more appealing. The scarcity of skilled labor is causing a decrease in revenue. Madsen urged businesses to collaborate with each other to ensure tourists don't lack service in certain locations, like stands.
The opposition criticizes the tourism minister
The SPD parliamentary group criticized Madsen just a few days prior in response to the June tourism figures. "The state government has lost control over the tourism industry's development," said MP Thomas Höck. "The decline in overnight stays is also due to the ineffective performance of the black-green coalition." The "Tourism Barometer" reveals that the assessment of the state government's performance by tourism professionals has never been more unfavorable under Madsen.
Despite the challenges posed by the subpar first half of 2024, the ongoing impact of the Coronavirus pandemic, and the decline in camping trips, concerns about skilled labor shortages, and criticism from the opposition, Bunge remains hopeful for the second half of the year. The potential revival of vacation trends, coupled with efforts to attract skilled workers and improve working conditions, could help Schleswig-Holstein's tourism sector rebound and overcome these obstacles. However, the ongoing spread of the Coronavirus and its variants, such as the Omicron strain, could still pose a threat to tourism recovery.
