Colonies of Benevolence: World heritage process as a key factor to encourage tourism
Published on 24 April 2018
Netherlands
Drenthe
This is the good practice's implementation level. It can be national, regional or local.
About this good practice
The Tourism and Leisure sector in Southwest Drenthe was lacking innovation, quality was going down and numbers visitors too. Next to this there was a need for coordinated preserving the buildings of the Colonies of Benevolence, giving them new functions, place them in a “story telling” setting. The process of applying for UNESCO World Heritage gave an unique opportunity to involve all stakeholders and SMEs in an innovation process of the visitors economy in the area.
The Colonies of Benevolence represent one of the earliest initiatives – 1818 - to exterminate poverty on a national scale. Based on the ideas of the Enlightenment, agricultural Colonies were established, a utopian concept to re-educate the poor and the needy.
The Colonies of Benevolence, coordinated by the Province of Drenthe, have adopted a community-based approach: all the steps taken over the past twenty years in respect of restoration, preservation and development of the territories were largely the result of local initiatives, or were realized in consultation with the local community. The main stakeholders and beneficiaries are regional authorities, local authorities, local entrepreneurs and stakeholders, cultural organizations, marketing organizations.
The Colonies of Benevolence represent one of the earliest initiatives – 1818 - to exterminate poverty on a national scale. Based on the ideas of the Enlightenment, agricultural Colonies were established, a utopian concept to re-educate the poor and the needy.
The Colonies of Benevolence, coordinated by the Province of Drenthe, have adopted a community-based approach: all the steps taken over the past twenty years in respect of restoration, preservation and development of the territories were largely the result of local initiatives, or were realized in consultation with the local community. The main stakeholders and beneficiaries are regional authorities, local authorities, local entrepreneurs and stakeholders, cultural organizations, marketing organizations.
Resources needed
The programme team for the World Heritage Nomination at the province Drenthe consisted out of 7 persons; in addition to this, resources were needed for several implementation projects, marketing etc. The international board existed out of 16 representatives of regions, cities, municipalities.
Evidence of success
New Museum (De Koloniehof)
Buildings got new functions (hotel, restaurant, beer brewery and other new business)
Increased cooperation between entrepreneurs (food)
Story telling (video, panels, “settler’s routes”) is in place
Open air play based on this story attracted in 2016 and 2017 80,000 visitors
Settler's houses as overnight facility
Settler's houses of the future (Energy neutral rebuild settler's houses)
Archive of settlers is digitalized (http://allekolonisten.nl/)
Buildings got new functions (hotel, restaurant, beer brewery and other new business)
Increased cooperation between entrepreneurs (food)
Story telling (video, panels, “settler’s routes”) is in place
Open air play based on this story attracted in 2016 and 2017 80,000 visitors
Settler's houses as overnight facility
Settler's houses of the future (Energy neutral rebuild settler's houses)
Archive of settlers is digitalized (http://allekolonisten.nl/)
Potential for learning or transfer
Key factors in this good practice are strong political commitment for a longer period, community-based approach (authorities cannot do it alone), multi-funding (inclusive private) financing, good coordination between the different levels of authorities. The carrot of “UNESCO World Heritage” is a strong element to encourage cooperation in the visitor’s economy.
Lessons for introducing this to other regions:
- Strong focus on cultural heritage helps to start up innovation in the visitor’s economy.
- Story telling is important to bring entrepreneurs together
- You have to gain pollical and entrepreneurial commitment for years
- Success can come step by step in the process
Lessons for introducing this to other regions:
- Strong focus on cultural heritage helps to start up innovation in the visitor’s economy.
- Story telling is important to bring entrepreneurs together
- You have to gain pollical and entrepreneurial commitment for years
- Success can come step by step in the process
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
Province of Drenthe
Netherlands
Drenthe
Contact
Programme Manager Interreg Europe and Interreg Northsea