Shared representation at ITB 2018: Local providers support the Wadden Sea World Heritage
For the first time this year, tourism service providers from the Netherlands and the German Länder of Lower Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein are jointly represented at the ITB tourism fair in Berlin. Together, they demonstrate how to sustainably use the Wadden Sea World Heritage sustainably and convey the message to their visitors. From 7 to 11 March 2018 the joint stakeholder platform showcases how nature conservation and sustainable tourism development go hand in hand across the Wadden Sea World Heritage Destination. The booth is supported by the INTERREG V A project Wadden-Agenda and the National Park Partner Programmes of Lower Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein. The joint representation is centered around the motto of the National Park Partner Programmes: “We love/live the Wadden Sea”.
“The Wadden Sea is more than a natural treasure. It is a popular vacation spot, a home, a business location,” says Monique Pruyt, Fryslân province, the Netherlands. “At this stand we aim to show how locals identify with and companies are committed to the World Heritage site, thus contributing to its protection.” The province is a partner in the Dutch-German INTERREG V A project Wadden-Agenda. The project implements the Sustainable Tourism Strategy of the Wadden Sea World Heritage Destination at a local level, which aims to protect and conserve the Wadden Sea.
In cooperation with the National Park Partner Programmes of Lower Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein, Wadden-Agenda uses stand 216 in hall 4.1 to network with various sectors of the travel industry and to market products and services whose them is the Wadden Sea World Heritage. They are looking to connect with customers, suppliers, journalists, colleagues and other players.
“The stand is a primary example of our joint transboundary cooperation in the Wadden Sea,” says Anja Domnick, Project Officer Sustainable Tourism Strategy at the Common Wadden Sea Secretariat (CWSS). “We are all proud to be part of our unique World Heritage site. With this stand jointly show what we stand for and work for. It also gives our visitors a vivid idea of the region, the unique nature experience and the global value of the Wadden Sea.”
The stakeholder booth is part of the two-booth concept of the Wadden Sea World Heritage in cooperation with the UNESCO World Heritage Centre (WHC) in Paris, France. A varied programme of activities and events focusing on sustainable travel, accessibility and coastal protection will also be offered.
For the detailed programme, please click here.
