LC 00807

Cruising from Vlissingen - HZ Knowledge Centre for Coastal Tourism and local entrepreneurs

This assignment was provided via the HZ Knowledge Centre for Coastal Tourism who received the inquiry from local entrepreneurs in the cruising/shipping business in Zeeland. The assignment focused on conducting research about the feasibility of local cruises, international cruises and cruises on cargo ships which can accommodate a limited number of passengers, all departing from Vlissingen.

Cruising from Vlissingen offers the unique possibility to experience the beauty of south Zeeland to tourists, but also locals, in a convenient butluxurious way. By providing information and bringing the customers to the most popular locations in Zeeuws-Vlaanderen, the problem tourists face of not knowing where to go during their holiday and planning the travel can be solved.Besides this, the cruise functions as a way for the tourists to experience a fun yet educational experienceof the local culture, fauna and flora. The cruise is designed to be an all-in experience, which caters tothe various needs of passengers in a convenient way.

After the first phase of this research, it was concluded by all parties that the project would continue to explore the possibilities for local (river) cruises in Zeeland

Additional research is needed into the following matters:

1) Carrying out of local cruises through Walcheren, on the Westerschelde or along the Boulevard in Vlissingen

2) Carrying out of cruises from Vlissingen to cities such as Antwerp, Ostend, London and Calais

3) Cruises by cargo ships with passenger capacity from the ports in Vlissingen to England

Dive in Zeeland

According to many, Zeeland has the most beautiful underwater landscape in Western Europe. Worldwide, the Oosterscheldein particular is seen as an interesting diving area, with an enormous biodiversity. The "Dive in Zeeland" initiative is aimed at informing residents, visito rs, tourists, students and scientists and / or conducting research into the underwater life in the waters of Zeeland. Underwater life must be accessible to all audiences, without specific diving skills or training (diving certificates), or diving equipment, from young to old and from able-bodied or disabled.

The goal is to enable a rich and memorable underwater experience, with both a recreational (a fun outing) and educational (learning about the underwater world, importance of nature conservation) objective. This assignment is being carried out by the HZ Knowledge Centre for Coastal Tourism team, but they would like to involve students from The Garage in this, especially for the analysis of existing research data and the literature exploration on nature education and recreation.

Client: HZ Knowledge Centre for Coastal Tourism.

FACET

FACET is an EU-funded project that runs in three countries (UK/BE/NL) where several knowledge institutes and business development organizations are working together. Their objective is to make the world a bit better by supporting entrepreneurs in the tourism sector to develop and implement Circular Economy solutions. This sector includes a variety of business types like hotels, restaurants, beachclubs, campings, holiday parks, harbors (including water sports accommodations) and other resorts. Your team will work in the R&D function, performing small-scale research making practical tools, products and/or services that can be used by tourism & leisure entrepreneurs.

Examples of professional products/services are:

1) Perform market research on the Tourism& Leisure sector in NL/BE/UK(plus impact COVID)

2) Find and distribute best-practices of specific companies/entrepreneurs that implemented sustainability measuresusing the FACET-wiki

3) Make a contact database of providers of CE-solutions (based on demand entrepreneurs)

Client: FACET

Food tours Zeeland

The concept of food tours is becoming increasingly popular at several destinations. There are many different types of food tours; in groups or individually, discovering local or regional products, cooking yourself or let chefs cook for you.

Within Zeeland, no food tours are being offered yet. The Watersnoodmuseum (https://watersnoodmuseum.nl/) and ‘het Vijfde Caisson’ (a gastronomy-hub https://watersnoodmuseum.nl/het-vijfde-caisson/) would like to offer a day program including a food tour within the municipality ofSchouwen-Duiveland. You dive into the history of food supply and innovation, local products, collaborations with local food suppliers, experience design, and develop a day program for visitors.

Client: Watersnoodmuseum

Hospitality Pact

For the development of a more sustainable hospitality sector and a future-proof destination Zeeland, a more systematic cross-sector view is required: the broad system perspective "sustainable value creation". The starting point of this system perspective is the pursuit of even more attention to:

1) The degree of balance between economic, social and ecological interests (quality of sustainability) and

2) The mutual relationships between residents, visitors and companies (quality of hospitality).

A degree of balance between the impacts and values- social, economic and ecological- is necessary for a balanced sustainable development in which all impacts are recognized, taking into account the mutual relationships between residents, visitors and companies.

Which impacts are important (determined objectively and/ or based on perception) and what role do the relationships between residents, visitors and companies play in this? More specifically:

How can the degree of balance be determined on the basis of perceptions of residents and visitors and/ or media coverage?

Client:The HZ Knowledge Centre for Coastal Tourism

Human Capital

The operational work force within tourism and hospitality establishment in Zeeland is facing challenges. These challenges relate to demographic changes, job conditions and employer image. The vocational tourism and hospitality schools are interconnected with both the cause and solution of particular problems. A project exists that investigates related issues to increase an understanding that could help prosper the industry’s human capital.

Client: Knowledge Centre for Coastal Tourism

Museums and overnight stays

The Watersnoodmuseum would like to collaborate with Het Vijfde Caisson(a gastronomy-hub) and Camping De Vier Bannen (a campsite) and offer a package deal including a museum visit and an overnight stay. The goal of this package will be to re-live 1953 by its food and stories, but also dive into the future and experience 2053. Innovation and sustainability are two important elements for these clients. The assignment is to provide concrete recommendations to create a 24-hours package deal, while incorporating the past (1953), the present and the future (2053).

Client: Watersnoodmuseum

Sport tourist activities in blue zones

Bodyline Healthcenter is partnering with Hotel de Blanke Top in Cadzand-Bad. The hotel wishes to offer more sports activities which Bodyline Healthcenter will provide. The hotel would like to offer activities for three target groups: active people (between 30 and 60), the parents of this target group (are also often in the hotel) and the children.

Possible activities are mountainbiking, yoga, Pilates, bootcamp, a parent-and-child activity, and possibly a SUP experience (still in consultation). More research is needed into these target groups and their wishes andneeds in the field of sports activities.

Client: Bodyline Healthcenter and Hotel de Blanke Top

VEKABO

The Covid-19 pandemic has created a great demand for private sanitary facilities at recreational accommodations. Some entrepreneurs in Zeeland have anticipated on this. However, municipalities are reluctant to issue permits. That is why research is needed into the need for private sanitary facilities for different types of accommodation(chalets,(mini)campsites, tipi’s, safari lodges, mobile homes etc.). It is expected that guests have different wishes with regard to the type of accommodation theychoose. You will be in contact with the accommodation providers of the organization VEKABO and conduct research on what guests are looking for and provide concrete recommendations for the industry in Zeeland.

Client: VEKABO