Economic Aspects of Wine Tourism Sustainability at a UNESCO World Heritage Region of Upper Middle Rhine, Germany

A study on the Upper Middle Rhine Valley reveals that sustainability significantly influences wine purchasing decisions among visitors. The research highlights the high yearly volatility of wine tourism demand and the strong awareness of the region as a premier wine destination, despite culture and education being lesser travel motivations. It also identifies mode of arrival as an indicator of economic and environmental sustainability. Using data from 400 visitors at St. Goar-Loreley, the study demonstrates that integrating sustainability into broader destination management is crucial for enhancing the authenticity of sustainable wine tourism and protecting the region's natural and cultural resources. The findings advocate for innovative approaches that balance heritage, wine, and tourism to align with contemporary traveler expectations.

Dressler, M., & Paunović, I. (2018). Economic Aspects of Wine Tourism Sustainability at a UNESCO World Heritage Region of Upper Middle Rhine, Germany. Proceedings of the 4th International Scientific Conference - SITCON 2018, 239–245. https://doi.org/10.15308/sitcon-2018-239-245