Dutch destination wins big in sustainable tourism awards

Schouwen-Duiveland gets first ever 100% rating and three big awards including Quality Coast Platinum

With over 4 million visitors a year, Schouwen-Duiveland is a stunningly beautiful and highly popular Dutch holiday destination.Here, sustainable tourism is not only an imperative, it’s also a great challenge. And the team of Schouwen-Duiveland is obviously up for a challenge!

And they have succeeded! In recognition of Schouwen-Duivelands remarkable sustainable achievements, the team received not one, but three awards on World Tourism Day and Green Destination Day in Nijmegen, the current Green Capital of Europe. The awards included a Platinum Quality Coast award for a first ever 100% rating.

They also received a 100% Green Destination Award AND were accredited as one of the world’s top 100 destinations for their achievements in 2018.

The team worked consistently for 8 years to meet every sustainability principle and in 2017 they achieved a major success being voted ‘Best of Seaside’ at the Top100 Sustainable Destinations event at the world’s biggest travel show – ITB in Berlin.

And at Shouven Duiveland they are happy to share their experiences at green conferences and events – even to the extent that they helped a Japanese delegation to explain how to do it.

The practical result? Visitors to Schouwen-Duiveland simply get a better, more fulfilling experience.

Now families and sun lovers, bird watchers and nature seekers, hikers and cyclists can all enjoy the range of holiday and leasure possibilities with clear consciences. They are all in the right place in Schouwen-Duiveland that cherishes and safeguards its rich nature, social and cultural heritage.

A truly natural destination surrounded by the North Sea Voordelta and two national parks – Schouwen-Duiveland is now both a glorious experience and a truly thoughtful sustainable destination.

Here visitors can enjoy wonderful and authentic experiences of the natural world in an area that is carefully tended. This spectacular area provides a unique setting for all kinds of water sports. The De Grevelingen, Oosterschelde and North Sea each have their own appeal – swimming, paddling, (kite) surfing, canoeing, sailing, diving, fishing, every water enthusiast can indulge themselves.

And it’s a sensational area for rambling – visiting the characteristic fishing villages with their historic step-gabled cottages, houses and mansions, taking a stroll through the nice beach resorts and admiring the dykes – or enjoying a great natural experience.

It almost goes without saying that this beautiful island has a cornucopia of edible goodies. Here you can enjoy sublime delicacies such as Oosterschelde lobster, mussels, oysters, the Schouwese lamb, samphire and sea lavender are on the menu when in season.

And, as a global top100 destination, Schouwen-Duiveland takes great care of its environment for both current and future visitors and local communities. Here everyone can enjoy its substantial natural, social, cultural and environmental legacy. And it is working to be completely self-sufficient in energy by 2040, Not only that – it is creating an integrated sustainable vision for its whole visitor economy.

Certainly Schouwen-Duiveland is a destination for today and for future generations. Certainly it is a rightful big time sustainable tourism winner.

FURTHER INFO: http://www.vvvzeeland.nl/nl/eilanden/schouwen-duiveland/regiopagina  

http://greendestinations.org/best-of-top100-awards/

Valere Tjolle

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