Nautical Tourism During the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Opinion of German Sailors

Purpose: The purpose of the article is to present the results of the analysis of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the behavior of German sailors in 2020. Design/Methodology/Approach: The survey was conducted in February and March 2021 using the CAWI (Computer Assisted Web Interview) survey. The survey form was made available on German sailing forums and Facebook profiles of sailing associations. 263 completed forms were collected during this time. Based on the survey, the behavior of German sailors in pandemic conditions was analyzed. The main focus was on three aspects of sailing, i.e. the frequency of cruises, cruises routes, and crew composition. Findings: The results of the conducted research indicate that the COVID-19 pandemic largely influenced the behavior of German sailors. Due to the epidemic situation and applicable restrictions, they were often forced to modify their cruise routes and crew. The pandemic also affected the frequency of sailing. Practical Implications: The results of the analysis can be useful for tourism authorities, not only in Germany but also in other European countries developing nautical tourism where German sailors are frequent visitors. Originality/value: The conducted research concerns a pandemic situation, the impact of which on various spheres of life and economy has so far been unprecedented. They fill the research gap by showing, using the example of Germany - one of the most active sailing countries in Europe - how the epidemic situation in 2020 influenced the behavior of sailors.