On Friday 4 September, entrepreneurs' association Toerisme De Baronie and the municipalities of Alphen-Chaam and Gilze and Rijen signed a cooperation agreement. As a positive result of the merger between Tourism Alphen-Chaam and Toerlezjoere earlier this year.
Signing on historic ground
After a warm welcome at the Steengroeve, all parties walked along the newly constructed Fietsallee through the Chaamse Bossen towards the Ossengoor. In the middle of the intersection of the Oude Maastrichtse Baan and the Geuzenpad - historic ground - they stopped to sign the cooperation agreement. After all, the Geuzenpad was an old church path from the time of the Reformation, between the churches of Gilze and Chaam. And the Oude Maastrichtse Baan was an ancient trade route between Dordrecht and Maastricht. Today, it is the municipal boundary between Alphen-Chaam and Gilze en Rijen.
Boost tourism and local employment
This long-term cooperation not only promotes tourism, but also boosts local employment. Which in turn has a beneficial effect on the liveability in the municipalities. The importance of tourism is great. Annually, in the municipalities of Alphen-Chaam and Gilze and Rijen, it provides an economic boost of over 40 million. All parties involved are therefore proud of this fine cooperation and look to the future with enthusiasm.
