BAT Leisure Research Institute: Dr Ulrich Reinhardt Takes Over Direction of Tourism Research

On 4 February 2009, Professor Dr Horst W. Opaschowski (68) informed the trade public of the results of the 25th tourism analysis before handing over the academic direction of tourism research to Dr Ulrich Reinhardt (38, photo). Dr Reinhardt has made a name for himself over the years as a leisure and tourism expert, providing scholarly support in the area of tourism analysis.  Professor Opaschowski, who headed the department of tourism research for the Stiftung für Zukunftsfragen (foundation for future issues) for 25 years, will now be concentrating more on trend and future research in the social, economic and political realms within the scope of the reorganisation of the BAT Freizeit-Forschungsinstitut (leisure research institute) in the foundation for future issues. Dr Reinhardt recently brought forth two highly interesting theses: For one, based on his analysis, Germany will be the oldest country in the world in the year 2035 (due to the declining childbirth rate).  Second, he was quoted in the financial magazine “WirtschaftsWoche” in late January with the following statement: “Around 40 percent of all holiday trips made by Germans will be made within their own nation in the future.” Compared to current travel trends, this means that around 30 percent more people will be taking a holiday in their own country than today. This ultimately represents a huge amount of potential for German amusement parks, spas and recreational baths, zoos and other leisure facilities.