Zeitschrift für Tourismuswissenschaft

Journal of Tourism Science

Edited by: Wolfgang Aschauer , Monika Bandi Tanner , Susanne Becken , Julia E. Beelitz , Sara Dolnicar , Matthias Fuchs , Ulrike Gretzel , Werner Gronau , Elisabeth Kastenholz , Christian Laesser , Dieter Müller , Larissa Neuburger , Christof Pforr , Stephan Reinhold , Jürgen Schmude , Markus Schuckert and Michael Volgger

Languages: German, English

First published: May 20, 2009

Publication Frequency: 3 issues per year

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About this journal

The Journal of Tourism Science engages in an in-depth exploration of scholarly discourses within the domain of tourism research. The journal focuses on multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary issues concerning touristic phenomena. In this connection, the journal is geared towards researchers and practitioners in search of substantiated information about tourism-related problems. The articles, which are theoretically based or implement quantitative or qualitative empirical research methods, are aimed at basic research or reflect the findings of applied research.

In addition to publishing scientific essays from all kinds of sub-disciplines (in particular history, geography, communication and media studies, cultural sciences, ethnology, cultural anthropology, methodology/statistics, ecology, psychology, sociology, economics, business administration and education), the journal also presents impulses for discussions, project reports, book reviews and conference reports.

The Zeitschrift für Tourismuswissenschaft therefore aims to

act as a forum for tourism scientists from all kinds of disciplines (social and cultural sciences, economic sciences and environmental science)

support interaction between these disciplines

encourage network-building

promote young researchers and

raise awareness among the general public of the need for scientific tourism research.

Subscribe to Open

Since 2023, the Journal of Tourism Science is being transferred to Gold Open Access on a year-by-year basis. All articles thus immediately appear under the Creative Commons license CC BY. There are no publication costs for the authors.

The Open Access transformation is based on Subscribe to Open, an alternative model that enables the full Open Access transformation of journals through the continuation of existing subscriptions. The prerequisite for successful transformation is that subscriptions are continued to the same extent as before. The editors of the Journal of Tourism Science and the publisher De Gruyter would therefore like to thank all subscribers for their support, which has made the transformation to Open Access possible.

Annually, three issues are published, including one special issue dedicated to a specific focus theme, and one issue devoted to early-career researchers.

Manuscripts on any tourism-relevant topic can be submitted at any time regardless of the various calls for papers for special issues (see "Call for papers" menu item).

Open Access
Climate Change Adaptation Types in Alpine Winter Tourism Destinations:

September 5, 2025

Pauline Metzinger, Philipp Corradini

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In the context of climate change adaptation, alpine winter tourism destinations are confronted with multiple, sometimes conflicting, types of adaptation measures, aiming first and foremost at reducing vulnerability to climate change. Measures’ scopes range from incremental adjustments to transformational turnarounds of existing pathways. Different actors can initiate and manage adaptation, including individual self-organised responses, private sector measures, community-led initiatives, and government-imposed measures. In this study, we apply two conceptual frameworks from climate change adaptation research to the case of Balderschwang, an alpine winter destination in Bavaria, Germany. The aim is to examine both its recent adaptation development and the adaptation visions of the residents. In addition to an in-depth assessment of the case study area, we base our analysis on qualitative interviews conducted with 12 residents, being both community members and tourism stakeholders. Our results show that different adaptation types, both in terms of the depth of intervention as well as the actors introducing and managing the adaptation, may coexist, potentially enabling, constraining, or even evolve into each other. Awareness of these adaptation types can help untangle adaptation barriers and identify potential linkages that could help align adaptation efforts across the different actors, thereby increasing the likelihood of successful climate change adaptation. We conclude that the collaborative approach, a mix of autonomous and planned adaptations, offers a promising way to streamline local adaptation needs with governmental support, increasing the possibility of successful adaptation.
Open Access
Vorwort

September 3, 2025

Jürgen Schmude

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Open Access
Möglichkeiten und Grenzen der technischen Beschneiung als Anpassungsstrategie an den Klimawandel

September 2, 2025

Ulrike Pröbstl-Haider

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Zusammenfassung Die technische Beschneiung ist seit den 1980er Jahren die wichtigste Anpassungsstrategie an den Klimawandel. Die vorliegende Publikation versucht nach mehr als 30 Jahren Anwendung Bilanz zu den Auswirkungen, Chancen und zu erwartenden Grenzen dieser Anpassungsstrategie zu ziehen und die Wirksamkeit dieser Strategie an Beispielen zu hinterfragen. Dazu werden zuerst die Umweltauswirkungen betrachtet und wie sich diese im Laufe der Zeit durch den technologischen Fortschritt sowie diverse Anpassungen verändert haben. Ein zweiter Schwerpunkt widmet sich den Grenzen der Beschneiung in wirtschaftlicher Hinsicht, aber auch im Hinblick auf lokale Gegebenheiten und Anforderungen an die Beschneiung. Daran anschließend werden auch die sozialen Aspekte bezogen auf die Nachfrage beleuchtet. Schließlich werden vor diesem Hintergrund die Konsequenzen für die Zukunft des (Winter-)Tourismus diskutiert und anhand von Fallbeispielen aus Deutschland und Österreich illustriert. Während das Beispiel der Planai Bahn in Schladming (Österreich) zeigt, wie mit Hilfe von Schneemessungen die Effizienz der Beschneiung auch unter zunehmend ungünstigen Bedingungen gesteigert werden kann, verdeutlichen andere Fallbeispiele, wie das Skigebiet Lackenhof (Österreich), dass die Anpassung durch technische Beschneiung in vielen Tourismusorten bereits an ihre Grenzen stößt. Das Fallbeispiel Breitenberg (Germany) zeigt, dass es Konstellationen gibt, in denen eine Beschneiung nicht sinnvoll eingesetzt werden kann.
Open Access
Beyond the Sports Event: Assessing Season-Wide Effects on Winter Vacationists’ Destination Image

September 2, 2025

Florian Ortanderl, Thomas Bausch

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A key argument for hosting international sports events is the unparalleled promotional value they provide for the destination. However, a review of existing research reveals a diversity of perspectives: some studies focus primarily on one-off events, while others examine the effects of recurring events, some look at effects on event visitors, others on event participants. This study takes a further perspective and examines the impact of an annually hosted event on the perception of a destination by visitors during the ‘regular’ season, outside the event period. The case of Alta Badia, an Italian skiing destination that annually hosts FIS Alpine Ski World Cup races in December, was analyzed. An extended Destination Content Model was applied to data from a survey of 377 winter vacationers. Using structural equation modeling, we identified significant positive effects of the event on visitors’ destination imagery, destination affect, and their related behavioral intentions. Based on these results, we provide theoretical implications and practical recommendations for destination managers hosting recurring sports events.
Open Access
Tourism crisis management does not stop in a destination’s front yard. Why stakeholder collaboration needs to cross borders.

August 5, 2025

Christin Khardani

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Tourism organisations are particularly exposed to crises and disasters. Effective crisis management requires collaboration among diverse stakeholders, including local businesses, public authorities, emergency units, and actors in source markets such as tour operators and government agencies. However, communication barriers and fragmented responsibilities hinder cooperation. This study investigates stakeholder collaboration in destination tourism crisis management by identifying key actors, analysing their interactions, and exploring ways to enhance collaboration using stakeholder theory. Findings highlight the need for cross-border collaboration, emphasising the role of tourism associations as coordinating entities. The study suggests that proactive inter-agency cooperation, trust-building, and structured crisis planning improve resilience. Theoretical and practical implications underscore the necessity for clear leadership and structured communication networks to strengthen crisis response in tourism destinations.
Open Access
Neugestaltung des sozialen Dialogs im Tourismus für das 21. Jahrhundert

August 2, 2025

Joseph Mellors, FUTOURWORK

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Zusammenfassung Dieser Beitrag plädiert für eine grundlegende Neugestaltung des sozialen Dialogs im Tourismussektor, um den Realitäten der Arbeitswelt im 21. Jahrhundert gerecht zu werden. Angesichts der wachsenden Bedeutung plattformbasierter Arbeit und algorithmischer Steuerung geraten traditionelle Strukturen der Kollektivverhandlungen zunehmend an ihre Grenzen und schließen vor allem prekär Beschäftigte systematisch aus. Aufbauend auf interdisziplinären und vergleichenden Perspektiven fordert der Text inklusivere und anpassungsfähigere Modelle des sozialen Dialogs, die digitale Steuerungsmechanismen, intersektionale Ungleichheiten und fragmentierte Beschäftigungsformen einbeziehen. Die Tourismusforschung wird als zentral für diesen Wandel positioniert und zur aktiven Mitgestaltung neuer Formen von Mitbestimmung, Repräsentation und Regulierung aufgefordert.
Open Access
Perceived Constraints to Winter Sports: A Segmentation of German Non-Participants and their Market Potential

June 28, 2025

Johanna Schumann, Lukas Schmidt, Ralf Roth

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Securing, retaining and attracting demand in winter sports tourism requires consideration of participants and non-participants in marketing efforts and product development. This study examined perceived constraints to winter sports among non-participants in the German winter sports source market. Constraints were assessed in a representative sample (n=704) using 15 pre-determined items on a five-point Likert scale. Four constraining factors were identified using principal component analysis (context, physical condition, cost, attitude). Five clusters were identified using segmentation analysis (most constrained, self- and context constrained, least constrained, cost-sensitive, disinterested). Significant differences in socio-demographic and behavioural characteristics were found between clusters. The findings suggested the least constrained and cost-sensitive segments to have the greatest potential for future participation.
Open Access
Szenarien für die Zukunft des Wintertourismus in Bayern 2050

June 12, 2025

Jürgen Schmude, Alfred Bauer

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Zusammenfassung Der Winter(sport)tourismus in Deutschland steht vor verschiedenen Herausforderungen wie Klimakrise oder demografischer Wandel. Trotz seiner hohen Abhängigkeit von den klimatischen Bedingungen und seiner Betroffenheit vom voranschreitenden Klimawandel wird für die Zukunft von einem weiteren Wachstum der Nachfrage ausgegangen. Insbesondere tiefer gelegene und oftmals weniger schneesichere Skigebiete stehen bereits heute unter enormen Anpassungsdruck an die klimatischen Veränderungen sowie die sich wandelnden gesellschaftlichen und technischen Rahmenbedingungen. Um diesen Anpassungsdruck zu bewältigen, können mögliche Zukunftsstrategien in Form von Szenarien hilfreiche Unterstützung bieten. In Bayern wurden vom Bayerischen Zentrum für Tourismus im Jahr 2024 Szenarien zur Zukunft des Wintertourismus in Bayern entwickelt, die im vorliegenden Projektbericht vorgestellt werden.
Open Access
Would winter sports tourists produce energy for ski tourism? A winter sports destination may represent a specific case of smart grid acceptance

April 23, 2025

Luisa Ehrenzeller

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Winter sports tourism requires significant amounts of energy, which is a challenge for the environment. A sustainable solution could lie in the implementation of smart microgrids based on renewable energy and the active participation of the community. Winter destinations could differ in case of smart microgrids acceptance from other places due to their specific usage situation (leisure instead of everyday life) and thus have a higher acceptance for innovative energy systems.
Open Access
Die soziale Relevanz kleiner Skigebiete im alpinen Raum

April 2, 2025

Christoph Pachucki, Birgit Pikkemaat

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Zusammenfassung Kleine Skigebiete spielen eine zentrale Rolle im alpinen Raum, indem sie Arbeitsplätze schaffen, regionale Kultur fördern und sozial nachhaltige Strukturen stärken. Obwohl sie durch den Klimawandel, wirtschaftlichen Druck und steigende Konkurrenz bedroht sind, bieten sie spezifische Vorteile wie Authentizität, niedrigere Preise und eine familiäre Atmosphäre. Diese Eigenschaften machen sie besonders attraktiv für Anfänger, Familien und Einheimische. Sie fördern den sozialen Zusammenhalt und tragen zur regionalen Identität bei, indem sie Traditionen bewahren und lokale Gemeinschaften stärken. Trotz ihrer wirtschaftlichen und ökologischen Herausforderungen rechtfertigt sich ihre Existenz vor allem durch ihren sozialen Nutzen. Um ihre Zukunft zu sichern, bedarf es politischer Unterstützung und einer stärkeren Berücksichtigung der sozialen Nachhaltigkeit in Tourismusforschung und -praxis. Kleine Skigebiete sollten als kulturelle Institutionen betrachtet werden, die nicht nur den Tourismus, sondern auch die Lebensqualität in alpinen Regionen nachhaltig beeinflussen.
Open Access
Adaptation Patterns of Cable Car Companies to Climate Change

April 1, 2025

Dario Mitterer, Thomas Bieger

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Cable car companies are key players in alpine winter sports tourism and strongly affected by the consequences of climate change, including lower snowfall, higher snow lines and shorter snow seasons. Based on a survey of almost 100 Swiss cable car companies, this study analyzes adaptation measures and aims to identify typical strategic adaptation patterns based on cluster analysis, which identified four clusters: small conservative companies, sustainability-oriented medium-sized companies, proactive and diversified medium-sized companies and large innovative companies. The findings reveal that strategies vary by company size, influenced by factors such as revenue, altitude, and slope kilometers. The study highlights the need for tailored approaches and targeted support to enhance the industry’s resilience and secure the future of Alpine tourism.

Journal Impact Factor	0.3	2024, Journal Citation Reports (Clarivate, 2025)
5-year Journal Impact Factor	0.5	2024, Journal Citation Reports (Clarivate, 2025)
Journal Citation Indicator	0.10	2024, Journal Citation Reports (Clarivate, 2025)

Zeitschrift für Tourismuswissenschaft

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