Kategorie: News
Diving in Germany remains at a stable level
About fourteen years after the original publication of the first nationwide study ‘Diving in the Future’, the Tauchsport-Industrieverband (TIV) is now presenting a comprehensive study update with a significantly expanded questionnaire, following an interim update in 2014. Among other things, the current analysis examines the impact of the COVID 19 pandemic on diving and addresses the changing needs of divers in Germany.
In the current 2023/2024 study, two subgroups of divers were differentiated: intensive divers (71%) and technical divers (21%). Overall, there are around 460,000 active divers in Germany, of which approximately 200,000 are classified as intensive divers and around 260,000 as occasional divers. These figures confirm a constant presence of divers in the German population in the range of 450,000 to 500,000.
The update of the study shows that there are some parameters for future measures. While diving in Germany remains at a stable level, interesting trends and changes are emerging. In the future, the results of this study will not only serve as a basis for the German Diving Association (tiv) to better support the industry, but will also help diving schools, equipment manufacturers and other players in the diving industry to adapt their offers and strategies to the current needs and wishes of customers. These insights will not only strengthen diving in Germany, but also develop it in a sustainable and future-oriented way.
The complete study is available on the TIV website: https://www.tauchsportindustrieverband.de/...-vierzehn-jahre-nach-der-ersten-studie/
The TIV is looking forward to a lively exchange of ideas not only with other industry representatives, but also with active divers about the new findings. An excellent opportunity is offered by boot (www.boot.dehttps://www.boot.de), which will take place in Düsseldorf from 18 to 26 January 2025 and will once again bring the diving community together in a unique atmosphere. Take the opportunity to visit the TIV members at the trade fair in halls 11 and 12 and exchange ideas about the study results and the future development of diving.
‘Diving in the future’ TIV study update provides a comprehensive review and outlook
During the coronavirus pandemic, all industry players quickly found themselves asking a central question: diving, quo vadis? The Tauchsport-Industrieverband (TIV) has therefore also addressed this topic in its current study update, so that the study provides a comprehensive overview of developments in diving as well as the impact of the pandemic on this market and future trends.
The original study ‘Diving in the Future’ was first published in 2010 and provided the first important insights into the trends and needs of divers in Germany. An update of the study followed in 2014. Since then, however, the landscape of recreational sports has changed significantly, not least due to the impact of the COVID 19 pandemic. In this respect, the study not only highlights developments in the market in recent years, but also reveals the changing needs of divers in the post-pandemic era.
In the current 2023/2024 study, two subgroups of divers were differentiated:
recreational divers (71%) and technical divers (21%). In total, there are around 460,000 active divers in Germany, of whom approximately 200,000 are classified as intensive divers and around 260,000 as occasional divers. These figures show that there is a constant presence of divers in the German population in the range of 450,000 to 500,000.
The industry has changed dramatically in recent years, not least due to the COVID-19 pandemic mentioned earlier. During the pandemic, there was initially a significant decline in diving activities, as travel restrictions and safety measures prevented many divers from practising their sport, especially abroad. This decline ultimately even led to the withdrawal of some providers and diving schools. After all, travel and freedom of travel are an essential part of diving, one could call it the aorta of diving. Finally, a large proportion of new divers are trained and acquired in foreign waters, with the Red Sea being the undisputed leader.
However, the pandemic had a particularly severe impact there: the numerous travel restrictions that were in place over a long period of time, as well as the resulting infrastructural difficulties at popular travel destinations – from restaurant closures , renovation and modernisation backlogs in hotel complexes, staff shortages in the catering and hotel industries, but also supply bottlenecks and the associated cost increases – also led to a decline in the diving market.
In addition, today we are faced with increased prices, especially for travel, and the various political unrest in the world, which are once again presenting the diving market with a number of new challenges, even after the pandemic. Not to mention the modern zeitgeist, which influences the behaviour of new, younger target groups in particular, as well as the increasing competition from other easily accessible, attractive leisure options. A challenging environment, here you could easily lose your bearings and get lost in the dark.
But it is precisely in such situations that a diver's strengths are put to the test. Because anyone who dives deep must not lose their orientation or even panic despite the low ambient light, and anyone who is not only out and about in crystal-clear water must also be able to find their way in murky conditions.
In such moments, divers can draw on their high stress resistance and the numerous skills they have acquired through diving to successfully master every dive. This is precisely where TIV came in at the end of 2023 and therefore started with the market analysis to get an overview of what has changed in recent years, what customers now want, how diving can be adapted to the demands of the times and how to continue to convey to the outside world what makes this sport so special, making it accessible to many people while always preserving the special nature of this very nature-based leisure activity, especially under the premise of nature conservation.
Cold-water diving as an important factor
One development has been particularly noticeable in the past; despite the many restrictions in recent years, there was a large group of ambitious divers who increasingly turned to cold-water diving and are now experiencing this aspect of the sport more intensely. The high adaptability of divers became clear: instead of turning away from the sport, they found alternative ways to continue practising it, using the means at their disposal.
Cold-water diving is an important aspect, but it is not the only component of the multifaceted sport of diving, which offers a suitable activity for a great many interest groups. Diving combines sports, stress relief, health promotion and concentration, among other things. Depending on the type of dive, it can be extremely intense and get the adrenaline pumping, while at the same time offering gentle and relaxing experiences. You can push your physical limits or use diving to balance out everyday stresses and let your body and mind come to rest, simply enjoying nature and silence. Ultimately, diving is what each individual makes of it. Nature and the industry provide the setting for individual adventures, and modern equipment ensures the best possible comfort and safety on every dive. It also creates the technical conditions for those who are looking for new sporting challenges and thrills.
Good preparation for diving beginners
Despite the challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic, the survey shows positive developments. Since 2022, there has been significantly more interest in introductory diving courses (introductory dives) (+34% compared to 2021). The number of certifications of initial training among beginners is also developing positively at +26% compared to 2021. Although a slight increase of 8% over 2021 can be achieved for advanced certifications, the 2023 values are still well below the pre-pandemic level (-18% compared to 2019). The decline in initial training in 2020/2021 is still noticeable and partly explains the negative development of advanced certifications 2019/2023.
The study results also show that the 50,000 new divers trained each year are well prepared. In this context, occasional divers mainly pursue their hobby in warmer regions, while technical divers prefer to dive in German waters. Two-thirds of divers completed their initial training between the ages of 15 and 35. In 2014, three-quarters of divers were still completing their training, so the average age rose from 28.2 years in 2014 to 30.2 years in 2024.
The financial outlay for diving has changed considerably since 2014, especially for ‘intensive divers’: the value of their own equipment (2014: €3,000, 2023: €3,500), the annual expenditure on this equipment (2014: €300/ year, 2023: €500/year) and the expenses for courses and training (2014: €250/year, 2023: €400/year) have doubled.
For half of the divers, their purchasing behaviour has remained unchanged after the pandemic experience.
Advanced and technical divers are increasingly buying their own equipment. The local dive shop is also very important. Only beginners prefer online shopping.
The survey highlights the influence of the internet as a source of information. The internet is by far the most frequently used information channel, followed by friends and social media.
Diving: a multifaceted leisure activity
The study update provides a range of exciting facts about the development of diving and helps to answer the initial question: diving, quo vadis? more specifically. The conclusion is that in order to remain competitive and thus attractive in the future, diving must develop in several areas. However, to do this, it must first get to know its customers.
The TIV study offers all industry participants great support in this regard. The analysis of the customer profiles is in-depth and highlights both similarities and differences in needs and motives. This is important for the development of targeted marketing strategies and offers. As a strategic recommendation, it can certainly be said that in the future, focusing on personalising offers and community building, building a strong community, is particularly valuable for strengthening customer loyalty to diving. In particular, the approach of diversifying the range and specialising in the respective area in order to appeal to different interest groups makes sense. This would help to promote the image of diving as a versatile leisure activity. A thorough review of the study will show that it addresses the current challenges very well and thus offers many opportunities for the further development of diving.
In the future, the results of this study will not only serve as a basis for the Tauchsport-Industrieverband (TIV) to better support the industry, but will also help diving schools, equipment manufacturers and other players in the diving sector to adapt their offers and strategies to the current needs and wishes of customers.
The entire study is freely accessible to all interested parties on the website of the Tauchsport Industrieverband (TIV) at the following link: https://www.tauchsportindustrieverband.de/forschungsprojekte/.
Images by
Peter Schreilechner & Gerald Nowak