Sustainable tourism - the jury is still out
Because Holland is branding itself as "Holland Naturally" and this year"s big event was said to have a massive environmental ethos, I decided to have a look at the World"s biggest flower show. Holland"s Floriade only happens every 10 years so this year had to be the year. I wanted to understand the opportunities for true sustainable tourism in a place where sustainability at the heart of the matter.
I remembered Venlo from years ago as train border point between Holland and Germany and, sensibly, that"s where Floriade 2012 is being held. North Limburg is also the second biggest horticultural region in Holland.
The city is now a massive logistic centre, warehousing and ferrying goods by train and lorry all over Europe - in particular Germany and the central European countries. There are transport opportunities everywhere - the city is set right on the River Meuse, at the heart of the European rail network, is slap bang on the motorway and within 50km of three big international airports.
A big issue in the city is the new Greenport - a unique collaboration between the private and public sectors, science, education and the environment. Here the close collaboration between the various parties are set to provide a unique boost to the economy of North Limburg over the coming decades.
The development will comprise more than 5400 hectares of new innovative business parks harmonising with the surrounding landscape developed in the Greenport Venlo area on the basis of the Cradle2Cradle (C2C) principles. Sustainability is said to be the keyword in the development and implementation process.
Venlo and North Limburg are major partners in the Floriade itself. What the partners will get as a legacy will be an innovative, distinctive business park with a focus on sustainability in a green environment right opposite Fresh Park Venlo.
Venlo Greenpark will be the business park of the future: offices, business services, clean, advanced high-tech industry and research & development in a park-like setting.
Good transportation opportunities are good for tourism too.
My visit to Venlo was a delight in itself. The mainly pedestrianised town is well-kept and has lost none of its fabulous 17th century charm. Also, from a leisure point of view, there are café terraces everywhere offering the chance to relax and enjoy a drink or two in the quiet cobbled streets, along the river or in the delightful main square. The whole town is friendly and attractive.
At the Floriade there is a major green ethos - in particular the educational aspects which include a number of dedicated pavilions and areas. All of the buildings incorporate an environmental aspect, in particular the glass house Villa Flora and the Innovatoren.
To get a good idea of what is becoming possible and the home of the future a visit to the education and innovation section and my green world is awe-inspiring.
The main point of the Floriade is to be a massive horticultural showground to attract millions of visitors, to entertain them and send them away with the message that Holland is the home to world horticulture.
The 66 hectares are planted with 1.8 million bulbs, 18,000 shrubs, 190,000 perennials, 15,000 hedge plants, 5,000 rose bushes and 3,000 trees. There are 5 theme worlds, 100 exhibitor gardens and stacks of interesting structures. Guests can travel around the site on the 1.1km of cable car to get a birds eye view, enjoy great entertainment at the World Stage amphitheatre, and eat at a variety of fast-food outlets or at one of the 5 restaurants. A full day ticket costs €25 (€30 with a cable car ride).
Clearly a great day out for visitors and a massive showcase for Holland"s horticulture. Well worth the investment.
Is it sustainable? Obviously, with a projected 2 million visitors there will be a great sustainable educational aspect; leaving a legacy to North Limburg of green buildings and a green multipurpose park will be a tremendous local benefit and the green efforts will minimize the carbon footprint of the exhibition itself.
But major opportunities have been missed. Predominantly visitors (80% of whom are to come from Holland and Germany) arrive by car, visit the park and go home, although there is a fabulous train service to Venlo and a shuttle bus service to the park. Much more could have been made of the opportunities to travel by train or coach and stay in the area for a longer period delivering many more benefits to the local population.
And the local area is fabulous. Venlo itself is a treasure and, as more and more is done to the Meuse riverside, the opportunities for walking, boating and cycling deliver the basics for superb holiday breaks. A week"s holiday in this area would be well-rewarded.
One plus the Floriade delivers is a big shop for local producers - remember this is an area focused on the land and food is a high priority. Local specialities include Speculaas (great caramel/cinnamon biscuits), Limburgse Vlaai (delicious local fruit pie in 50 different types), Wafels, Stroep (local fruit syrup), superb honeys, all kinds of meat and agricultural products and the world-famous local asparagus.
It"s simply a pity that few visitors get to try this cornucopia of tastes and enjoy the wonderful hospitality in a local town café.
So the message is visit the Floriade, come by train and spend a few days in the local area - you certainly won"t be disappointed. For more information go to http://www.lustforlimburg.com/
