Knowledge Networking Portal for Sustainable & Responsible Tourism
Goedereede (NL)
| Contributor | DiegoNunez |
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| Country | Netherlands, |
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| Release date | 25/06/2014 |
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| GSTC Criteria for Destinations |
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| # | File name | Contributor | Release date | Uploaded by | Upload date | Size | Content type |
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| Good Practice Innovation Sheet | ||||
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| Items | Description | |||
| 1. WHO | ||||
| Key people and organisations (initiator, leader, partners) | Coastal and Marine Union EUCC and the Municipality of Goedereede | |||
| Key Figures | Surface | Inhabitants | Tourism arrivals | Tourism nights |
| 153.85 km2 | 11,408 | N/A |
2 million overnight stays per year (Goeree-Overflakkee island) |
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| 2. WHY | ||||
| Reason for taking the good practice action |
Goeree-Overflakkee receives a large number of tourists and holidaymakers during the summer months. Many tourists explore the island by car; however, this means of transport does not offer an optimal experience for those visitors interested in the island’s nature. A number of reserves in Goeree-Overflakkee cannot be reached by car or there is no provision for parking. Cars cause negative impacts on humans as well as environment, including greenhouse gas emissions, energy and metal consumption, noise and odor pollution, traffic congestion and parking difficulties and disturbance of flora and fauna. Consequently, Goeree-Overflakkee is looking for sustainable mobility solutions to introduce in the island. Goeree-Overflakkee has an extensive cycling network, facilities available for charging electric bikes and scooters. In addition, there are also special scooter routes through Goeree-Overflakkee and the neighboring islands of Schouwen-Duiveland and Voorne-Putten. |
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| Issues and challenge | The main challenge was to create recreational possibilities in a new, innovative, sustainable and challenging way in order to attract visitors for longer stays. By creating alternative mobility options, people are able to visit certain attractions in a more sustainable way and fully enjoy the island experience. It was also a challenge to involve the social employment service of the municipality, a priority from a social point of view. | |||
| 3. HOW | ||||
| Methods /steps / tools used (to develop the good practice) | GO-Elektro is an initiative of Veero in cooperation with various parties, including the tourist information offices of Ouddorp aan Zee and South Holland Islands, and Webego. Launched in 2010, this initiative provides the opportunity to rent electric scooters on Goeree-Overflakkee. The project started with 20 e-scooters which were used on Goeree-Overflakkee. The two tourist offices managed them and the social employment service took responsibility for the delivery, storage and maintenance of the scooters.
Since the scooters are electric, they do not cause any harmful effect on the environment while they are driven. The scooters can be driven out 50 to 60 kilometers and they can reach an speed of between 25 and 30 kilometers per hour. There are numerous rental locations in the island. This service has an immediate effect on the perception of the area by the visitors. Less car use means less noise, |
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| 4. RESULT | ||||
| Specific/measurable results, benefits | At the Ouddorp aan Zee tourist office, the demand for electric scooters is very high and users have shown very positive reaction to the initiative. Its attractive design and the possibility to enjoy a new and fun experience encourage people to rent these electric vehicles. Tourists who arrive in the marinas make a frequent use of the scooters to explore the island or to visit a village. | |||
| Recognitions (e.g. awards) | QualityCoast Gold Award 2013 (Goedereede) | |||
| 5. REFLECTION | ||||
| Lessons learned | The electric scooters can be rented from the Tourist Office. The online booking system introduced in 2013 makes reservation management much more convenient and efficient. Upon reservation, the number, the date, and the pick-up location can be indicated. | |||
| Challenges met | In 2011 a number of improvements were introduced including the installation of fast chargers. The project was extended to 40 scooters, which were then rented to Voorne-Putten and Schouwen-Duiveland. There are also suppliers of electric scooters on Schouwen-Duiveland. | |||
| Critical success factors | Also in 2013 a service station provides a great improvement in terms of collecting and returning the scooters. Because scooters are technically sensitive, a service station has been created in a central location in order to reduce unnecessary traffic movements, and to speed up the solution of any technical problems. | |||
| 6. MORE | ||||
| web-references, documents | www.goeree-overflakkee.nl | |||
