Water, salt and fresh, is a determining factor in the landscape of theDutch regions South Western Delta and North-Holland North. Water related tourism and  adjourning activities are an important factor in the regional economies. Thus contributing to the sustainability of the regional communities in a variety of ways. Demographic developments and changing demands among the (potential) visitors call for a more coordinated approach towards water related tourism and development of new product-market-combinations. This in order to keep the number current visitors coming, attract new groups of customers and increasing the economic impact.   

Water is the keyword in among others the South-western Delta. It is an important element in the area, as it brings people together through its water activities and events. There is a great variety of watersports activities and with them, related water events. Inhabitants and visitors already benefit from the facilities and activities. The current offer of facilities is too fragmented over the area though. There is not enough cooperation between partners in exploring water-related events and the intensification of the use of accommodations. With a common approach of government and entrepreneurs, it should be possible to benefit more from all the current facilities and events and to explore even new products and events. Through working together more touristic products will be developed, which will result in stimulating the economy.

North-Holland North (roughly the area north of Amsterdam) is virtually a peninsula surrounded by the Nortsea in the West, the Waddensea in the North an the Ijsselmeer (fresh water) in the East.  North-Holland North shares the threats, aims and opportunities with the South-West Delta area. More specific NHN is interested in realizing a leisure board with serves as a coordinating centre of expertise for development and implementation of (a program of new) activities on water related tourism.  

The major aim of this project is to stimulate the regional economy through transnational cooperation between SME’s and the government in a sustainable way.

Sub-objectives of this project are:

• Developing participating areas as water related experience centers in the NSR.
• Exploring new groups for activities on and around the water
• Intensification of the current offer and developing new products.
• Fighting demographic change (depopulation mainly un rural areas) in the participating regions.

The end result of the project is the growth of water related tourism expenditure in the watersport sector in 2014 by 10 %. This is reached by:

• Initiating a partnership of local governments, SME’s and sectoral associations in order to achieve a common approach in reaching the goal. 
• Accomplishing water projects for new groups of consumers
• Creation of new PMC’s consisting of water and ashore activities.
• Designing a calendar of all water related activities and events.
• Combining water related activities and ashore activities to reach an optimal amount of consumers.

Netherlands:

NV Economische Impuls Zeeland + subpartners such as Stichting Promotie Zeeland (PZD), Kenniscentrum Kusttoerisme, Local governments, Association of SME’s

UK:

Fife County Council

Haven Gateway Partnership

Belgium

Sweden

Germany

Denmark