Frequent Evasion of Single-Use Items Becomes Necessity for Travellers in Thuringia
In the heart of Germany, Thuringia is known for its stunning landscapes and numerous tourist attractions. However, a growing concern has arisen in recent years: the dwindling number of gastronomic establishments along popular hiking and cycling trails, causing difficulties for travellers seeking a place to rest and refuel.
According to Thuringian Tourism GmbH, there are around 350 gastronomic establishments along the Rennsteig alone. Yet, the industry is facing a significant challenge, with complaints about bureaucracy and regulations being ongoing. Dirk Ellinger, managing director of Dehoga, attributes investment backlogs in some guesthouses to the narrow financial scope of the innkeepers and a lack of long-term prospects.
The associations in Thuringia believe that a serious reduction in bureaucracy is the most important step to encourage innkeepers to invest and young people to take over a business. Antonia Sturm, managing director of the Thuringian Forest Regional Association, echoes this sentiment, stating that many committed hosts do not fail due to lack of motivation, but due to forms, requirements, and approval procedures that are hardly manageable for small businesses.
Some believe that the industry should look at itself and improve its service and food quality. This sentiment is shared by Knut Korschewsky from the Thuringian Mountain and Hiking Association (TGW), who sees the situation as similar, with gaps caused by innkeepers retiring not being filled.
In an effort to address these issues, the Thuringian Forest Regional Association plans to better network innkeepers and hut operators in the region to prevent wanderers from facing closed doors. Innovative ideas are also emerging, such as self-service machines for hikers, new concepts like farm cafés, and a bakery in Saalfeld supplying "Wanderbus" passengers at the Thuringian Sea with fresh snacks.
For those planning a hiking or cycling trip in Thuringia, there are well-regarded apps that provide access to offers from various regions. Outdooractive, for instance, offers detailed information on hiking trails, including GPS navigation, route planning, and extensive local travel information across the Thuringian Forest and surrounding regions. Another strong option is BERGFEX, which features over 550,000 tour suggestions, detailed maps, and an intuitive route planner for both hiking and mountain biking, covering Thuringia and many other regions.
Despite the challenges, Thuringia continues to revive the slogan "The green heart of Germany" for both tourism and agricultural marketing, with all actors from the Thuringian Forest via the Rhön, the South Harz, the Thuringian Sea to East Thuringia working together to make Thuringia more noticeable. The new operators of the Gehlberger hut in the Thuringian Forest, for example, are bringing fresh ideas to the region, demonstrating that with the right support, the gastronomy industry in Thuringia can flourish once more.
References: [1] Outdooractive. (n.d.). Outdooractive. Retrieved from https://www.outdooractive.com/ [2] BERGFEX. (n.d.). BERGFEX. Retrieved from https://www.bergfex.de/ [3] BERGFEX. (n.d.). Apps for hiking and cycling in Thuringia. Retrieved from https://www.thueringen-tourismus.de/app-tipps-fuer-wanderer-und-radfahrer-in-thueringen [4] Thuringian Forest Regional Association. (n.d.). Outdooractive. Retrieved from https://www.thueringerwald-tourismus.de/outdooractive-app-fuer-thueringen-ausgezeichnet/
- The gastronomy industry in Thuringia, specifically along popular hiking and cycling trails, faces challenges due to bureaucracy and regulations, but innovative solutions like self-service machines, farm cafés, and collaborative networks with apps like Outdooractive and BERGFEX are being implemented to address these issues.
- For food-and-drink enthusiasts traveling through Thuringia, the region offers a unique lifestyle experience with an array of food and beverage options, from traditional cuisine to farm-to-table concepts like farm cafés, thanks to the revitalization efforts of the gastronomy industry.
