Tourism and leisure
Cities and municipalities have evolved from production areas to consumption areas where tourist and recreational activities are increasingly important.
City services offer us the opportunity to live and work, but also to shop, meet, relax and enjoy. That is why cities value a responsible supply of cultural, sports or recreational facilities.
Tourism as experience economy
For a resident or visitor to a city, perception is the factor that makes the difference between a positive or a negative experience during a city visit. To optimise that experience, we use distinctive, identity-defining frameworks, which form the basis for the experience economy of which tourism and leisure are the main exponents.
Nowadays, trends in leisure activities determine the development and attractiveness of a city or region. It is no longer just about the historical or cultural offer, but about how visitors and tourists want to experience it. It affects the functioning of an entire city. It is important to integrate this broader approach into a promotional tourism and recreation policy.
Leisure, culture, tourism, sports, gastronomy,... it is now all part of a strategic tourism and leisure plan. In an urban development process, a clear long-term vision is crucial.
Besides niche offerings, cities and towns are also focusing more on the landscape experience as part of a whole that can also strengthen the residential function. This vision should be integrated into a local municipal and innovative action plan.
CityD focuses on tourism
For more than 50 years, CityD and its partners have been conducting tourism research for regions and cities, at home and abroad. From two offices, one near the city centre of Bruges and one in Genk, we are ideally placed to strengthen coastal tourism, art tourism, landscape tourism and industrial heritage in a policy- and action-oriented way.
Services in the field of tourism
- Strategic tourism policy plan
- Leisure policy plan
- Business tourism policy plan
- Sports infrastructure plan
- Operational plan
- Experience concepts
- Redevelopment
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References:
- Visit Flanders: Flemish Heritage Sites
- Toerisme Scheldeland: Scheldeland/Pays de l'Escaut - Regional identity -DNA and storylines
- War Heritage Institute: tourism marketing for war museums
- Province of Flemish Brabant: tourist-recreational vision for the Brabantse Wouden, submission file to be recognised as National Park
- Province of East Flanders: future profile of provincial Domain De Boerekreek
- Colen/Borgloon: repurposing Colen Mariënhof Abbey monastery
- Visit Flanders: repurposing of Poeke Castle
- EROV: survey of East Flanders' leisure economy
- Province of West Flanders/Midwest region: master plan for supra-local sports infrastructure
- Strategic plan for tourism in Bruges
- Large-scale multi-client survey and research on travel behaviour of Belgians (over 30 years)
- Sport Vlaanderen: Sports infrastructure policy plan
- Market study indoor activity for Terhills
WBT (VisitWallonie.be): study on excursions in Wallonia (via our Consumeter)
City Marketing and Centre Management
It is clear that the gem of CityD lies in city marketing and centre management. The manager started in 1999 as the first centre manager in Flanders for the city of Genk. The inner city bug never faded. The first assignment was to draw an inner-city marketing plan for the non-profit organization Centrummanagement Genk. Today, CityD guides many cities in strategic communication and city marketing and often implements approved plans. This translates into targeted city or center management, depending on the chosen focus. The essence is always the same: together we can do more and vision without execution is a dead letter.
Trade and hotel & catering industry
Trade, hospitality, catering industry and services are often the beating heart of every core, municipality and city. Besides their economic function, they are important for meeting, relaxing and experiencing. Find out how your local economy can flourish here.
Spatial economics
CityD can help shape spatial policy as a partner of local governments. From its background in consultancy on spatial-economic issues, it is the ideal partner to define strategic policy visions for the area and develop instruments. Doing so, CityD contributes to achieving the spatial-economic objectives of the administration.
Real estate and area development
Buildings and spaces that are being developed today require the use of sustainable raw materials and substantial financial resources. Development is therefore best thought through from a long-term perspective, taking into account the needs of the market and of future generations. CityD helps you limit the risks of your real estate project or area development through thorough research and clear future-proof visions. This for developer, government and investor alike.