Climate collapse and political crisis can still do carefree vacation? The tourism industry is torn. Business is booming still. From Berlin, Sabine Kinkartz.
A sea of colorful flags flutters in front of the main entrance to the Berlin exhibition grounds in the Wind. Up to 10. In March, the International tourism exchange ITB, the world’s largest travel fair has opened its doors. Around 10,000 exhibiting companies from 181 countries and regions have built up in the fully booked trade fair halls their stands. It is a high-gloss industry. To be sold dreams and desires for the most beautiful weeks of the year. On large posters, the sun and the sea, white beaches, and cheerful-looking people from foreign cultures to lure.
Worldwide, tourism is a booming billion dollar business. Each year more people are on the way to spend your holidays in other countries. In 2018, there were more than 1.4 billion passengers, an increase of seven percent compared to the previous year. The Germans have a considerable share. 20 days every German was a statistically 2018 on the road – this is a new record. You count the expenditure on the spot in the vacation country to the Federal citizens of the 95.6 billion Euro cost. A Plus of five percent.
The shadow side of the travel boom
However, the growing number of tourists is not without consequences. Whether it Venice, Amsterdam or Dubrovnik: The scrum has become in some places, unbearable. Over tourism it’s called. Prior to that, the travel industry can not turn a blind eye. “The Smile of the Mona Lisa goes on when one is surrounded by hundreds of people,” admits Michael Frenzel, President of the Federal Association of the German tourism industry. The industry is trying to find solutions to the people of equalizing the masses in time and space. Where the will to lead, currently in Venice. There it will be in the future, inlet restrictions and tiered ticket prices for the city.
Also with regard to climate change, the growing holiday figures is a Problem. At the Start of the ITB, German development Minister Gerd Müller has called on the tourism industry to more sustainability. Travel would have to be climate-neutral. By the end of 2018 Müller called the “Alliance for development and climate”. Companies that participate are committed to avoiding CO2 emissions and to reduce. The remaining emissions offset by projects in developing countries, such as the promotion of renewable energies or for the protection of the rain forest.
Interested in politics hardly
The topic of sustainability and climate protection moves a lot of tourists, that emerges from surveys of the travel industry. The political situation in a country is, however, a reservation decision, only conditional is crucial. For the tourists it is especially important that it is in the hotel grounds and at the beaches quiet and safe.
A lot more Turkey-holiday makers
So, the booking explain the figures for the current year. In addition to Spain and Greece, Turkey is the favorite destinations of the Germans at the front. Around 58 percent of the booking are increased numbers in the politically highly controversial country. Before the attacks, and the failed coup attempt of 5.6 million Germans vacation in Turkey. In 2016, there were only 2.5 million. Now the previous record achieved almost.
Jews and homosexuals in Malaysia
Also, Egypt is in demand in addition to Tunisia, Bulgaria and Croatia in the meantime. “It is the classical package tour of countries that grow significantly,” says Norbert Fiebig, President of the German travel Association, is confident that the German will remain in 2019 in the travel mood. Although the bookings would have been in January, two per cent below the Figures for the previous year, but after the record-the summer of 2018, the decisions would fall this time, just later.
The industry is hard, when it comes to human rights and freedom of expression in the countries. The Example Of Malaysia. The ITB has chosen the Southeast Asian country in 2019, the partner country of the fair. A decision that is controversial. Last autumn, a Sharia court sentenced in Malaysia for two lesbian women to lashes. Homosexuals are threatened with prison sentences up to 20 years. Malaysia’s Prime Minister Mahatir Mohamad expressed also repeatedly made derogatory comments about Jews, which he called among other things “hakennasig” and an “instinctive sense of money,” said.
Malaysia’s Minister for tourism Datuk Mohamaddin’m Ketapi to visit the ITB.
The customer is king
If Jews and gay might feel sexual, sure, if you were on holiday in Malaysia, the Malaysian tourism Minister Datuk Mohamaddin’m Ketapi to the opening of the travel fair, from a journalist. For such questions, he had not traveled to Berlin, replied the Minister. “I say nothing.” The Journalist asks. There is in his country, no homosexuality, rejects the Malaysian politicians this time. “We don’t have that Problem.” Therefore, he could not answer the question.
How does Messe Berlin with such a statement? Christian Göke, Chairman of the Board, sitting at the opening next to the Minister, winds up in the answer. “A host listens and takes note.” However, the ITB is just a platform to discuss controversial topics such as this, with stakeholders and local authorities. “The more exposed one of our guests and customers is presenting itself at the ITB, the higher is his obligation to ask such questions and to give answers.” The fair society it is not standing, however, to assess Statements of their customers, so Göke. “We are a winning score companies.”