SUSTAINABLE DESTINATION DEVELOPMENT IN BAVARIA: INCREASING TOURISM ACCEPTANCE BY APPLYING PARTICIPATORY APPROACHES?

Purpose – The article examines whether and, if so, how systematic citizen participation in the planning and decision-making processes can improve the acceptance of tourism in three popular Bavarian destinations — the Franconian Lake District, Tölzer Land, and Munich. Methodology – The article draws on a qualitative study, comprising 33 expert interviews with representatives of politics, administration, tourism organisations, tourism service providers, associations, and local communities. The expert interviews were analysed using the qualitative research method GABEK. Selected findings were subsequently visualised through causal network charts. Findings – The findings revealed a fundamental dissatisfaction with the prevailing political planning and decision-making processes. More support from politics and a clear commitment to tourism value creation is required. Greater citizen involvement in the strategic development of tourism is desirable. The implementation of citizen participation is fraught with many difficulties, including lack of political goodwill, and is therefore either not or only insufficiently developed in the participating Bavarian destinations. Contribution – Against the background of recent and contemporary social developments, strategic citizen participation in tourism planning processes was identified as an important approach for the continued successful and sustainable development of Bavarian tourism destinations and living spaces. The findings can be regarded as an urgent appeal to initiate systematic participatory processes in Bavaria, guaranteeing a framework for a continuous exchange between the local population, politics, and administration, enabling better incorporation of the needs of the local population into tourism planning objectives, and increasing the acceptance of tourism.