National Council for Recreation and Tourism established
New collaboration tackles opportunities and challenges in the leisure, tourism and hospitality sector
In September 2024, government, education, business, and social institutions will form the National Council for Recreation and Tourism. This council, with representatives from ministries, IPO, VNG, businesses, knowledge institutions, and consumer organizations, will be led by an independent chairperson. The council will address opportunities and challenges in the recreational tourism sector with an integrated approach.
Common course and integrated cooperation
The Netherlands faces significant societal challenges that require a common course and integrated cooperation. Together, we work towards space for recreation and broad prosperity. A place to live and good work are prerequisites for broad prosperity, but valuable leisure activities for all Dutch people are equally important for personal well-being. The National Council for Recreation and Tourism safeguards the space for leisure activities in the planning of the Netherlands. With increasing recreational needs, a growing number of domestic and foreign visitors, and economic significance, it is now more important than ever to ensure sustainable and responsible development of the sector.
“As the Centre of Expertise Leisure, Tourism & Hospitality, we aim to fulfill the R&D task with partners in the Council and other sector parties. The Rli already indicated in 2018 that the knowledge infrastructure needs to be strengthened. The task is to link the enormous research capacity to the urgent issues of the hospitality domain, such as balanced destinations, sustainability, digitization, and labor market challenges. CELTH acts as a broker and switch between the sector and knowledge institutions. By bringing parties together and co-financing where necessary, we contribute with knowledge to the sustainable development of the destination Netherlands.”
Space for leisure time
The urgency for cooperation is evident from the recently published Preliminary Draft Spatial Planning (VRO). Increasing space claims create a massive spatial challenge that no sector can tackle alone. The note therefore advocates for integral coordination and cooperation, particularly in the recreational tourism sector. The new National Council for Recreation and Tourism responds to the so-called collective duty of care and takes up this challenge: How and especially where will we spend our ever-growing leisure time in the future?
Concrete themes and integrated approach
Within the council, parties collaborate on concrete themes such as integrated area development with green spaces in and around the city, strong villages and regions throughout the Netherlands, and how visits can contribute to broader societal challenges. Relevant themes such as a sustainable labor market, education, and knowledge development also require an integrated approach and cooperation. This cross-domain collaboration contributes to solutions for everyone’s future leisure activities and the recreational tourism sector in the long term. This provides a perspective for action for all of us.