On Monday, October 6, the new Provincial Council for Recreation and Tourism Drenthe met for the first time. The members of the Provincial Council represent the entire recreation and tourism sector: from campsites to hospitality and day recreation, from culture to education and nature. The Provincial Council is enthusiastically building a strong, future-proof sector and is actively working on several themes.
During the first meeting of the Provincial Council, the members agreed to work together on the theme of space for recreation. This includes the availability of recreational facilities, so that people are invited to be active in their own neighborhoods, walking, cycling, or exercising. It also concerns nature and recreation, which are inextricably linked in Drenthe. The council members will explore the impact of laws and regulations on the sector and where improvement opportunities lie for entrepreneurs. The most important thing is that the council members actively collaborate on the development of the sector, so that the activities of the involved parties align better with each other.
Deputy Willemien Meeuwissen: “Drenthe is the leisure province of the Netherlands. I am pleased with the enthusiasm of the members of the Provincial Council and with the agreement to actively combine forces so that we can build together on a future-proof sector. This ensures that we contribute to a vibrant province, where residents are proud, every Drent benefits from recreation and tourism, and visitors are eager to return.”
Collaboration between sectors
Collaboration between the various sectors in Drenthe was already good, but there was no provincial council that brought all parties together. With the arrival of the Provincial Council for Recreation and Tourism, that is changing. Petra Ellens, Regional Manager Overijssel and Drenthe at HISWA-RECRON, says: “The Drenthe Council connects entrepreneurs, governments, and organizations to sustainably strengthen the leisure sector - we are happy to contribute our part.” Finally, the Council advises the province of Drenthe on the themes and topics that affect the sector, so that there is even more coherence between (government) policy and practice.
National Council for Recreation and Tourism
The Drenthe Council does not stand alone: there is a good connection with the National Council for Recreation and Tourism (LRRT), in which government, education, business, and social organizations collaborate. Deputy Willemien Meeuwissen is chair of the Provincial Council and is also a member of the National Council.
Broad representation
The Provincial Council is an initiative of the province of Drenthe and has broad representation with Marketing Drenthe, Recreatieschap Drenthe, Koninklijke Horeca Nederland, HISWA-RECRON, Sport Drenthe. Day recreation is represented by Wildlands, the culture sector by the Prison Museum/Museum de Proefkolonie, nature organizations are represented by Staatsbosbeheer, and education by Drenthe College and NHL Stenden. Groepen Drenthe represents group accommodations and group outings, VeKaBo has a seat on behalf of the mini-campsites, and ANWB represents consumers. There is a connection sought with the agricultural sector for agrotourism.
