Zeeland, Netherlands
CULTURE
A place where writers found inspiration and painters flourished. Not surprising, because those who have an eye for it, see much more in Zeeland than sand and water. Especially Zierikzee, Dreischor and Veere, appear to have been untouched throughout the centuries. The years have gone by, but history is still very much alive. Do such places still exist? Those small village squares where ancient trees provide a little shade. The church surrounded by picturesque houses and delightful facades…exactly how it was a hundred years ago. For centuries trading and fishing ships sailed the waters of Zeeland. This often led to privateers. Cities such as Zierikzee and Vlissingen were often dealt painful blows. The monumental buildings and stately mansions are a reminder of that illustrious past.
Thanks to the discovery of bigger harbours such as Antwerp and Rotterdam, peace and quiet returned to Zeeland….and especially because of this peace, so much authenticity has been preserved. Those picturesque towns and tranquil villages are still in existence today. This does not mean that the inhabitants of Zeeland have gone to sleep however. They will welcome you with open arms and they like to show you what they have to offer. “Straôrieën” (an event with horses steeped in folklore) on Schouwen-Duiveland, ring-riding (collecting rings on a pole on horseback) on Walcheren and pierbollen (a game with skittles and balls) on Zeeuws-Vlaanderen.
Everywhere you can soak up the culture, sample the atmosphere.
Tired after a long day? Why not in the evening relax in one of those comfy chairs of Cine City Cinema in Vlissingen. Or do you fancy a night on the town? The theatres, playhouses and cafes will pull you into the dazzling nightlife of Zeeland.
Particularly during late summer, Zeeland is brimming with activities. During the late summer festivals at the end of August, beginning of September the sea and land are enjoying an extra slice of art and culture at unique locations: a modern opera in an old fort or theatre on a desert island. The much talked about “Film by the Sea” in Vlissingen completes the late summer cultural events: many dozens of new films with smart premiers and swinging parties.
Turku, Finland
Finland is a Nordic country which is known for its peacefulness and beautiful nature. Vast forests, a unique archipelago and thousands of lakes present a striking mixture of wooded hills and waters. In addition to its mystical northern nature, Finland is also a modern country with a high standard of living and advanced economy and technology.
Southwest Finland (where Turku is located) has the oldest cultural tradition of any region in Finland. This is where the recorded history of Finland begins and where the oldest traces of habitation have been found. Although rich in scenic diversity as well as cultural history, this is also a forward-looking region where high technology industries thrive.
City culture in the arms of the archipelago
In Turku the Centre of Expertise for Tourism and Experience Management is a part of Southwest Finland Centre of Expertise. Turku Touring is an organization which executes this programme of Expertise and Turku Science Park is a coordinating organization.
Turku Touring is the regional tourism organisation for Southwest Finland. Turku Touring holds near and strong relationship to number of tourism and cultural destinations. Known of it´s archipelago the region offers almost limitless possibilities for tourism business. Turku Touring operates in close relationship with development of cultural tourist products.
Cultural (tourism) strategy:
Our cultural an tourism strategies are based for Finland’s Tourism Strategy and Southwest Finland’s Tourism Strategy.
The goal of Finland’s Tourism Strategy is to create the prerequisites for the development, growth and competitiveness of year-round tourism and the related business operations. Tourism is a significant source of employment and prosperity, which will help Finland’s economy grow further, and is also of regional significance as a source of livelihood. However, systematic long-term co-operation between the private and public sectors is required to provide an impetus for growth, while the preservation and sustainable use of Finland’s tourism assets must be secured. The Tourism Strategy provides the guidelines for achieving these goals.
Current projects:
A project of Shipyard Tourism developing. The aim of project is to build a model for product development of Shipyard Tourism and to create structure for its functions. A project defines possibilities for visiting centre of Shipyard area, and the aim of co-workers and customer needs.
City Sherpa
A mobile guidance system for use in different kind of resorts. The aim of project is to develop a new recreational concept for travellers. It develops a model for a mobile guidance and service mechanism, built on robust system architecture. It combines profiled service product supply, reliably functioning guidance system for destination, current and ONLINE information of sights, services and events, entertaining game, genuine interaction between users and services, and easy usability.
Turku and Tallinn in co-operative project:
developing tourism in European Capitals of Culture 2011. The aim of project is to build a co-operation model for utilization of tourism in Capitals of Culture on 2011 and for future. A project also creates a coherent model on how to use culture in marketing and brand imaging.
The development unit of Turku Touring.
This project creates an operation plan for Turku Touring’s new development unit. The development unit is a part of Turku Touring and the aim of this unit is develop and added travel revenue for the enterprises in the tourism sector and the all over the county.
E-business development program.
The aim of this project is define present state of e-business on tourism sector in Southwest Finland. This project also creates an operation plan for e-business developing.
Future projects:
The chain of culture – The productization of cultural tourism business. The aim of project is create a chain of cultural tourism destinations which are high-quality, competitiveness and well-knowing for International. A project also produced the cultural service and product unity for International markets and marketing.
A project of Culinary Tourism.
As in every country, in Finland food is an integral part of the culture. Every Finnish region has its own culinary specialities and traditions. Culinary travel is much more than just food and eating - it is courses on preparing Karelian pies, living in a Finnish farm and milking cows, picking traditional Lappish cloudberries and dining in an old castle with a menu from the 19th century.
The Living Lab of River Aura.
This project gathered different kind of actors (the service providers, the event organizations, travellers, local people, visitors, researchers etc.) to making a product development for tourism and cultural business together. The aim of this project is adding to the attractiveness of this area.
Partners (internal and external):
Among others:
- The Finnish Tourist Board, MEK
- Ministry of Employment and the Economy
- Ministry of Education
- City of Turku
- Turku the European Capital of Culture 2011 organisation
- University of Turku
- Turku School of Economics
- Turku School of Economics - Finland Futures Research Centre
- Turku University of Applied Sciences
- Turku Region Development Centre
- Regional Council of Southwest Finland
- Lapland Centre of Expertise
- Savonlinna Region Centre of Expertise
- Helsinki Region Centre of Expertise
- Jyväskylä Region Centre of Expertise
- Organisations and companies on Turku Region
Specific areas of expertise:
- Tourism marketing and advertising (e.g. e-business)
- A product development
- An expertise of cultural business
- Knowledge about a tourism interface (e.g. creative business and technology),
- A varied contents of culture (e.g. digital contents)
- Destination business network – Living Labs
Names of Contacts and their area of expertise:
- Päivi Lappalainen, Programme Director of Centre of Expertise for Tourism and Experience Management in Turku.
- Riikka Niemelä, Programme coordinator of Centre of Expertise for Tourism and Experience Management in Turku.
Wales
Wales is part of the United Kingdom but Welsh culture and heritage go back way beyond that union. Wales is a small country, first time visitors are always surprised by the variety of scenery. The Welsh landscape includes hills and mountains – Snowdon at 1085m (3560 ft) is the highest mountain in Wales and England, and around 1207 km (750 miles) of coastline. Some 25% of the land area of Wales is recognised for its exceptional landscape quality, including three National Parks and five Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Welsh is one of Europe’s oldest living languages, its origins are in pre Roman Britain. Wales has a rich folklore and mythology associated with the language. The strong Eisteddfod tradition is unique within the United Kingdom with the National Eisteddfod being one of the largest annual cultural events in the United Kingdom.
Wales is well endowed with historic monuments, castles and churches ranging from prehistoric chamber tombs such as the Bryn Celli Ddu in Anglesey, to monuments from the industrial revolution, such as Blaenavon Ironworks.
Wales has two registered World Heritage Sites, the castles of Edward I in North Wales (Conwy, Caernarfon, Harlech, Beaumaris and the town walls of Caernarfon and Conwy) and the industrial landscape of Blaenavon.
During two periods of history, Wales made major cultural contributions which were of world significance. During the Dark Ages, Celtic Christianity provided major centres of learning and, at the end of the 18th Century to mid 19th Century, Wales became the first industrial nation and acted as a powerhouse for the industrial revolution.
Collectively there are 4.2 million visits to museums and galleries in Wales in 2006.The National Museum Wales with a total of 7 sites which, in total, accounted for 35.5% of the museums visitors in 2006. There were also 2.8m visits to Historic properties in 2006.
International scale events such as the Rugby World Cup, Ryder Cup and Hay Festival have played a significant role in raising the profile of Wales as a visitor destination, through TV and other media coverage.
Visit Wales
Brunel House, 2 Fitzalan Road
CF24 OUY - Cardiff - UK
Contact person: Nigel Adams nigel.adams@wales.gsi.gov.uk
Midland Regional Authority, Ireland
Udaras Reigiunach Lar Na Tire
The primary legislation providing for the establishment of the eight Regional Authorities (NUTS III) is theLocal Government Act, 1991. The Midland Regional Authority in common with the other seven Regional Authorities was established on a statutory basis with effect from 1st January, 1994, following the making of an order by the Minister for the Environment, with the consent of the Minister for Finance under Sections 3 and 43 of the Local Government Act, 1991.The Establishment Order is entitled Local Government Act, 1991 (Regional Authorities) (Establishment) Order, 1993 (S.I. No. 394 of 1993).The Midland Regional Authority comprises 24 elected public representatives who are nominated to the Authority by each of the four constituent local authorities in the region, Laois, Longford, Offaly and Westmeath County Councils. The Minister for the Environment and Local Government appointed an additional member by virtue of their appointment to the E.U. Committee of the Regions.
Community Support Framework / National Development Plan
Inter-regional (National) Operational Programmes.
Border, Midland and West Regional Operational Programme.
The Region:
The Midland Region, situated in the heart of Ireland, is steeped in history, culture and heritage. From early Christian times, the Midland Region has acted as a seat of learning and a point from which information flowed. The Midland's geographical landscape has shaped and influenced the region's history, it's culture, and social and economic development. The natural beauty of the region has made it an ideal tourist setting with it's many lakes, waterways and canals traversing the region.
The landscape of the Midlands lends eloquent testimony to the history of human settlement in the area. The first hunter-gatherers travelled by dug-out canoe to such sites as the Lough Boora camp around 7000-5500 BC. These Mesolithic pioneers were followed by Neolithic man. Their activities, in turn, were refined during the Copper, Bronze and Iron Ages. Later, the Gaelic clans and tribes were joined by the early monastic settlers, the Vikings, the Normans and the planters.
Sometimes existing settlements were replaced; more often they were adapted to suit the newcomers' needs. Eventually, the newcomer turned native, and the distinctive cultures blurred. The impact of all these eras remains visible and the confluence of cultures through 9000 years of settlement has provided an impressive cultural and physical resonance for the region.
Landscape has shaped the pattern of human activity in the region. The Shannon, the longest river in Ireland and Britain, is the central feature of the Midlands. It facilitated passage to the earliest settlements and along its bank stand the relics of millennia. Within every great moment of Irish history, the Shannon has played a prominent role. The hill of Uisneach, where fires were lit to pagan Gods and where High Kings of Ireland once kept their seat, surveys the central plain, offering views of twenty Irish counties. In the east the Slieve Bloom mountains reign majestic. Although rarely rising above 600m, the context of hundreds of square miles of plains and lowlands, gives it an aura of legend lending authenticity to a mythology that places the greatest of Irish heroes, Fionn MacCumhaill, there in his youth.
It is the bogs that remain the most unique feature of the Midlands. As a living wilderness, replete with incomparable flora, fauna and wildlife, their unspoiled environment has brought international acclaim and is a constant source of wonder. As well as their contemporary vitality, they offer an archive to the past and have preserved, layer upon layer, the story of human presence in the Midlands. It is a story of complex interplay between landscape and peoples. Successive migrants came, but never truly conquered, ensuring a rich, diverse culture that has redefined itself, without ever losing its essence.
More info:
www.midlands.ie
Region Västra Götaland
Region Västra Götaland is a regional autonomous body ultimately responsible for healthcare in the region. It is a gathering and promoting power for increased growth and development in Västra Götaland concerned with areas such as business development, communications, culture, environment and education.
The region acts in favour of growth and development in Västra Götaland with the aim of boosting the region’s competitive powers in a national and international perspective.
Growth & development is an overall concept covering the region’s efforts in favour of Västra Götaland’s long-term and sustainable development. Growth & development is based on three secretariats – Regional Development,Culture and Environment and the assignment, formulated in the Regional Development Strategy, is to stimulate development showing consideration not only for the economy but also for man and the environment. Development should also involve other actors and act to increase Västra Götaland’s competitiveness in a national and international perspective.
Each secretariat has its own political committee with 15 members and a drafting body of 12 representatives from the four associations of local authorities and 15 people representing Region Västra Götaland.
The assignments of the Regional development secretariat are long-term strategies, business sector issues, programmes for growth, the infrastructure of roads and railroads, public transport, IT development, issues of education and skills provision, integration and equality, tourism, international relations and EU matters.
The Environmental secretariat should run projects with different partners to create sustainable growth. There are three focus areas – traffic and the environment, energy and consumables – to create a stronger environmental profile for Västra Götaland and urge development on towards production and use of products and services in a way that benefits both companies and the environment.
The Cultural affairs secretariat acts to strengthen Västra Götalands’s many-faceted and comprehensive cultural activities for the benefit of all citizens. By supporting and stimulating a rich cultural life, a flourishing social life and increased well-being is created for people living and working in Västra Götaland.
More info:
www.vgregion.se
Västra Götalandsregionen
Regionens Hus, Norra Hamngatan 14
50117 Boras - SE
South West England
South West England is the largest region in England and is a thriving base for business with a vibrant culture and unique environment. It is an area rich in heritage and culture, known for its connections with legendary and literary figures – King Arthur, Agatha Christie and Jane Austen to name but a few. The region includes the counties of; Gloucestershire, Dorset, Wiltshire, Somerset, Devon, and Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. The South West of England is well known as the home of the Eden Project, Glastonbury Festival, Bristol International Balloon Fiesta, Cornwall’s seafood restaurants and surfing beaches, and the beautiful and historic Cotswolds. Two National Parks and four World Heritage Sites fall within the region's boundaries plus The Jurassic Coast, England's first natural World Heritage Site, stretching between Devon and Dorset with 95 miles (155 km) of unspoilt cliffs and beaches.
A few facts
20.3 million visitors to the region in 2006
Population: 5 million, equivalent to 8.6% of Britain's population
The tourism sector of the South West's economy is one of its largest industries: £8.9 million in expenditure to the region's economy, 2006.
Main Tourism Markets: UK, US, Netherlands, Germany.
Approximately half of the regions attractions (48%) are museums / art galleries, historic houses, castles or other historic sites.
Organisational Structure
The South West of England has nine Destination Management Organisations. These are:
Bath Tourism Plus
Destination Bristol
Bournemouth & Poole
Cornwall & Isles of Scilly
Cotswolds & Forest of Dean
Devon
Dorset
Somerset
Wiltshire
South West Tourism is an independent organisation and the official delivery partner for the South West Regional Development Agency.
Cultural (tourism) Strategy
South West Tourism work in conjuntion with Culture South West whose role is to help improve the quality and range of cultural activity available to those living in or visiting the region and support the further development of its creative industries. Culture South West’s cultural activity include the arts in their various forms, recreational and sporting activities, the appreciation of the landscape in the South West and the built environment such as museums, libraries and galleries.
Further information about Culture South West and the research surrounding culture in the South West of England can be found on www.culturesouthwest.org.uk
South West Tourism is currently working on a cultural strategy and separate events strategy, and is defining what it means for the regions tourism industry. The report will identify the sector and sub-sectors and are likely to encompass the arts, TV & film, crafts, events and festivals, heritage and museums. It is important to analyse which of these sectors are drivers and which add value for the visitor, and the report will aim to highlight the areas of growth and how culture tourism can meet the objectives of ‘Towards 2015’ (www.swtourism.co.uk/about-us/towards-20151.ashx).
Further details can be obtained from Annette Cole, South West Tourism’s Research & Development Lead on; acole@swtourism.co.uk
Recent and current projects
Literary: The literary history of South West England reads like a Who’s Who with a range of writers, poets and novelists who were born, lived or travelled in the region. Many sought and found inspiration - setting their works in the counties of the South West including Agatha Christie, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Jane Austen, Daphne Du Maurier and JK Rowling.
TV & Film: South West England has a rich TV & film history with many historical houses, gardens, towns and villages being used as settings for romantic and classic period dramas, TV documentaries, action filled adventures and wonderful children’s movies. Some of the most famous include the films Sense and Sensibility and Harry Potter where Gloucester Cathedral was used as a backdrop in the films. There are also many cultural events which take place in the South West of England including Dorset Arts Week, literary festivals such as the Jane Austin Festival in Bath, and many exhibitions and themed events in the regions museums and galleries.
References to key reports
These can be found on Culture South West’s website; www.culturesouthwest.org.uk/research/index.asp
Partners (internal and external)
Destination Management Organisations were created to facilitate partnerships between the public and private sector and deliver effective management and marketing for the region. Nine destinations were identified through extensive visitor research and include:
- Bath
- Bristol
- Bournemouth & Poole
- Cornwall & Isles of Scilly
- Cotswolds & Forest of Dean
- Devon
- Somerset
- Wiltshire
The South West of England Regional Development Agency was established in 1999. Their most important role is to ensure the long-term economic success of the region and work very closely with South West Tourism who are the official delivery partner for the South West Regional Development Agency.
The Tourism Skills Network was established in 2001 and works with employers to identify training needs in partnership with training agencies to improve the skills base and capacity of the workforce, as well as promoting tourism as a career of first choice.
VisitBritain is Britain’s national tourism agency working in partnership with thousands of organisations from across the UK. Created in 2003 VisitBritain was established to market Britain to the rest of the world, promote England and develop its visitor economy.
Contacts
Annette Cole – Research & Development Lead acole@swtourism.co.uk
Andrea Harborne – Tourism Development Executive aharborne@swtourism.co.uk
Address & Tel. - South West Tourism, Woodwater Park, Exeter, Devon EX2 5WT
Tel: +44 (0) 1392 360 050.
Website - www.swtourism.co.uk (corporate) www.visitsouthwest.co.uk (consumer)
