Study results: “Digitalization in Hiking Tourism”
BTE Tourism and Regional Consultancy, in collaboration with the German Hiking Association (DWV), conducted a comprehensive study in 2023 on “Digitalization in Hiking Tourism”. The findings reveal a steady increase in the use of digital media: Among DWV members, komoot is especially popular as a source of inspiration and information as well as for navigation during hikes.
Did you know: Komoot and the DWV are also working together towards a common goal. They’re combining their expertise and reach to help protect the environment and promote responsible, socially conscious outdoor experiences. The increased use of digital platforms for hiking information is a great sign that komoot can spread this message far.
The hiking study in more detail
The study aimed to understand the information-seeking behavior of hikers to better tailor future hiking offers to their needs. Participants came from two distinct panels:
- BTE panel: 1,410 participants from the general German population, out of which 1,006 identified as hikers
- DWV panel: 587 members of hiking or mountain clubs
More info: For a detailed look at the study results, visit the BTE website.
Inspiration & information before the hike
Recommendations from friends or acquaintances as well as personal experiences are the leading sources of inspiration for hikers. They’re followed closely by digital and social media channels, which are popular across all age groups. When planning a hike, 46% of respondents from the general German population use platforms like komoot. This figure rises to 81% among DWV members.
Information-seeking behavior during the hike
More than half of the respondents from the general German population use digital media as a source of information while hiking. Of these, 53% use Google Maps and 40% use komoot.
Among DWV members, komoot is the preferred choice, used by 69%, while Google Maps is used by 43%.
When asked where they look for information, 80% of the general population sample use search engines, and 57% access known services and websites. In the DWV sample, 73% use both search engines and known services.
Comparing the 2017 and 2023 study results shows a significant increase in smartphone use among hikers. In 2023, 58% actively used their smartphones for navigation during a hike.
Expert recommendations
The study results indicate that both analog and digital information are crucial. For tourism and nature conservation stakeholders, this means maintaining a well-rounded digital offering to provide relevant information and improve visitor guidance.
It’s important to make sure that the data is well-maintained in OpenStreetMap (OSM) and is as easily accessible as possible. Since 99% of hikers who use apps use those based on OSM, making content discoverable during the inspiration phase is vital. If you need help with this, our free komoot Academy is designed to guide you through the data maintenance process.
Take advantage of the partner opportunities on komoot
Komoot is used by 38 million outdoor enthusiasts worldwide. As a komoot partner, you can leverage this network to distribute your content effectively so it reaches the people who’d love it. All you need to do is set up a free partner profile and create your own Tours and Collections. The komoot team will be happy to support you with this.
You can then use these Tours to launch campaigns on komoot, embed them on your website or create print maps. Sound good? Schedule an appointment with us to talk about your options!
