On 16 January, we travelled to Zeeland with a bus full of enthusiastic Toerlezjoerders. There a fully catered day awaited us, offered by founding partner Schipper Groep, for which we thank them. The main goals of this tour were connection between Zeeland and Brabant leisure entrepreneurs, knowledge exchange and inspiration. Among other things, we were taken on a journey of discovery of Zeeland's DNA and informed about the international project PROFIT. The enthusiastic Zeeland entrepreneurs who spoke made an impression. We look back on a filled, inspiring day, the main thrust of which was "Believe in what you do, stick to yourself and follow your heart, your own DNA is unique, so you can do business with passion!"
De Zeeuwse Hemel - Joost Pieters
De Zeeuwse Hemel is a mix of a shop, café, restaurant and garden in Zierikzee. You can also recently stay 'heavenly' stay overnight there. It is precisely the varied range of possibilities, which makes the combined retail-hospitality concept of the Zeeuwse Hemel popular. You can buy various ingredients, from which the dishes on the menu are made, so you can cook with them at home. This gives a lunch or dinner a totally different experience.
Authenticity and doing business from the heart
Owner Joost Pieters stated as the most important conditions for successful entrepreneurship: authenticity and doing business from your heart and your own truth. "Take a good look around you, get inspired, but then turn inwards and feel what suits you. People feel whether something is real or not," says Joost. DNA, according to Joost, is your own authenticity, which you can share with others, to create a coloured overall DNA together.
Coastal Tourism Knowledge Centre - Kim Provoost
At the next destination, Strandpark De Zeeuwse Kust, Kim talked about how the Coastal Tourism Knowledge Centre works. The main focus is on: knowledge development and transfer, guest figures, profiling Zeeland as a healthy region and regional, national and international cooperation with colleges and other relevant parties, among others. They issue several publications every year, such as Gastvrij Zeeland.
Holiday park De Zeeuwse Kust - Marc Ruiterberg
Owner Marc, bubbling with drive and daring, told about the origins of holiday park De Zeeuwse Kust. On the spot where the park now stands was nothing at all, so they got the chance to build it from scratch. His goal was to offer people a 'luxury beach experience', this experience has been carried through to the details. As soon as you arrive at the park, you immediately see and feel that you are in Zeeland. Also, this is the only holiday park in Zeeland to have a children's hotel, with separate parent and child bedrooms, which is of course equipped with all modern conveniences.
Listening to customer wants and needs of today
Marc: "Listen to your customer's wishes and respond to today's needs. For instance, we are open every day and offer different accommodation, from slightly less luxurious to super deluxe. In our restaurant you can also order dishes such as mussels and lobster, our toilet block is heated and we have invested is the best Wi-Fi network available."
Besides a weekend or week-long holiday, chalets are for sale and rent here, appealing to another target group. Another smart move was the launch of swimming lessons in the park's swimming pool. Also, the park's restaurant can be booked for parties and celebrations. Marc says it is important to invest in advertising, especially at times when things are going well. He invests a substantial amount every year in the search and findability of his holiday park on the internet.
Municipality of Schouwen-Duiveland - Marcel van den Berge
Throughout north-western Europe, from Le Havre to Hamburg, the coast is straight, except in Zeeland. The land there lies in the sea, so Zeeland's DNA is 'Land in the Sea'.
Zeeland's DNA
Zeeland's DNA is supported by the following five core values: tasteful, attention, pure, atmosphere and freedom. It was developed from the Province of Zeeland; anyone may use it. At the moment, they are exploring how to set out the DNA trail with entrepreneurs. The idea behind Zeeland's DNA is: "DNA is inside you, if you stay close to yourself. Look around you, bend it to what suits you and work with others, from your own identity and heart." The focal points are: year-round enjoyment, pristine beach experience and the surrounding water, innovation of existing tourism businesses (no more new holiday parks), hospitality and storytelling. Marketing communications will zoom in on strong nature experiences, the connection between land and water and Schouwen-Duiveland as a stage.
Three success factors
1. How do you stand out?
2. What do you have to say? What is your story?
3. Live this story and be proud of the DNA, because the DNA is you!
PROFIT: Professional Framework For Innovation For Tourism
Zeeland is participating in the project PROFIT, in which guest data (BIG DATA) is collected, analysed, interpreted, so that it can be used for further purposes. One experiment they are currently working on is the Zeeland Pass, which provides insight into transactions in Zeeland. You can also track geographical routing from where the pass is purchased. Plan of approach further roll-out of PROFIT: continuous dialogue with entrepreneurs, group innovation and open communication.
Closing by Hans Schouw and Ted van der Lee
Organiser Hans Schouw of Sigma Personeelsdiensten, part of the Schipper Group, looks back on a successful day, in which a connection was made between Zeeland and Brabant leisure entrepreneurs. As a founding partner, Schipper Group is happy to stay connected to Toerisme De Baronie. Toerisme De Baronie chairman Ted van der Lee summarised that passion for your profession, believing in what you do (with your heart), is the great similarity between Zeeland and Toerisme De Baronie.
Managing expectations
Toerisme De Baronie is an association of and by entrepreneurs active in the leisure economy. The aim is to attract more visitors to our region, through an attractive leisure offer. The desired result is growth in the leisure economy and an increase in revenue. This will benefit us all. After all, the success of Toerisme De Baronie stands or falls with many active members and an active board! During the return trip, the Toerisme De Baronie members were instructed to write down per task field (see diagram below) what they can do to make Toerisme De Baronie - for them personally - a success. This brought this inspiration tour to an end.
Once again, a word of thanks to Schipper Group, who made this exciting day possible. We greatly appreciate local entrepreneurs wanting to join Toerisme De Baronie! We would also like to thank all the members who attended. Thank you! Wondering what Toerisme De Baronie can do for your business? Then send an email to [email protected].